ATO spokesman: Militants continue sporadic provocations against the Ukrainian forces

Kyiv, February 27, 2015. Russia-backed militants generally adhered to the ceasefire regime. The night on 26-27 February in the ATO zone was relatively calm. However, some uncontrolled militant groups instigated armed provocations against the Ukrainian servicemen and shelled their positions, said Anatoliy Stelmakh, ATO Staff spokesman, via Skype at a briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Pro-Russian insurgents used small arms to fire at the town of Krymske twice. Also they fired at Leninske and Mayorsk in the area near Debaltseve. Khimik, Donetsk region, was shelled from the militant artillery at around 1 am.

Considering the significant reduction of the armed provocations, the Ukrainian Armed Forces embarked on fulfilling the second stage of Minsk agreements, namely withdrawal of heavy weapons. Ukrainian servicemen continue to withdraw their 100-mm MT-12 “Rapira” anti-tank guns along the contact line. “The artillery is going to be located at least 25km away from the contact line, which has been outlined in Minsk agreements. At the same time the Ukrainian troops hold their positions and continue to comply with the ceasefire regime,” noted the ATO Staff spokesman.