Ministry of Defense: Militants step up shooting attacks

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Militants’ attacks became more intense in the last 24 hours. In total, Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire 54 times in ATO zone, and also instigated contact with ATO troops.

Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat, but five troops were wounded, reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Andriy Lysenko during a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Donetsk sector militants were active during the day along the entire frontline, conducting a total of 20 ceasefire violations. “Attacks were lengthier, 20-90 minutes each. Nevertheless, Russian proxies were mostly using small arms and grenade launchers. At the same time, hostile sniper attacked our positions near Donetsk airport, and Russia-backed militants fire four mortar rounds at Avdiivka’s industrial area,” he said.

In Luhansk sector militants opened fire from light weapons four times. It happened in Novyi Aidar district three times, and enemy precision fire was recorded in Troitske.

Mariupol sector remains restless, 30 ceasefire violations, including 3 involving heavy weapons were recorded. “Russia-backed militant groups shelled our positions along the entire line of contact from dawn till dusk, including Maryinka district and the area west of Dokuchaevsk. Militats used sniper weapons in Novotroitske, and shelled Ukrainian strongholds with mortars in Krasnohorivka and Bohdanivka,” reported the spokesman. Moreover, Ukrainian troops repelled militants’ subversive reconnaissance group near Maryinka. “Our soldiers opened fire at the enemy. The hostile group was defeated after a 30-minute-long firefight. Ukrainian troops incurred no losses,” added Col. Lysenko.

Report on the military developments as of April 4 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.