Colonel Andriy Lysenko: Checkpoint near Maryinka to close temporarily due to escalation of situation

Kyiv, February 13, 2016. Maryinka became the spot of the most intense combat activity in the Mariupol sector in the ATO zone. Militants shot at Ukrainian positions near the town 22 times, their snipers attacked nine times. “Due to the fact that shooting attacks pose a threat to life of civilians who try to go through the checkpoint to the territories beyond Ukrainian control, a decision has been made to close the checkpoint until such time as the situation stabilizes,” said Colonel Andriy Lysenko, spokesman of the Presidential Administration on ATO related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

According to Col. Lysenko, militants used 82-mm mortar launchers to shoot at Ukrainian positions near Krymske and Novozvanivka in the Luhansk sector. One armed provocation involving use of small arms and a grenade launcher took place near Zolote. Russia-backed militant groups were active in the vicinity of Donetsk airport. “These were the positions near Pisky that first came under mortar fire. Militants launched 62 mortar shells from an 82-mm mortar launcher in 24 hours. Hostile snipers were shooting near Pisky, Avdiivka and Troitske. Several armed provocations were instigated near Opytne, involving use of small arms and grenade launchers,” said Col. Lysenko. Moreover, militants used small arms, large machine guns and grenade launchers near Zaitseve, Mayorsk and Novhorodske.

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Col. Lysenko informed that positions near Krasnohorivka were caught in dense mortar fire. “Militants were shooting from their positions in Staromykhailivka village from 120-mm and 82-mm mortar launchers, large machine guns, small arms and BMP-2 armored personnel carrier. Moreover, a militant sniper was shooting in this area,” he explained.

Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat yesterday, two troops were wounded.

According to recent intelligence, new facts of deaths of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine were established. “Due to lack of discipline, Russia-backed militant groups were caught in “friendly fire” near Pisky, Mayorsk and Maryinka. As a result, six career officers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation died and 12 were wounded,” said Col. Lysenko. According to the information from the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Russia brought to Khartsyzsk up to 200 tons of ammunition for 122-mm and 152-mm artillery systems, tanks and hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers. 240 tons of diesel and three platforms with combat equipment were brought to Ilovaisk, and 300 tons of ammunition were delivered to Luhansk. “Moreover, Russian troops and militants conduct intense military training. For instance, they drilled landing of troops to the coastal area of the Azov Sea, while Russian fleet and paratroopers practiced amphibious landing operation,” added Col. Lysenko.