Colonel Andriy Lysenko: Intelligence registers activity of eight militants’ subversive reconnaissance groups in the ATO zone

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Situation in the ATO zone is restless. Intelligence reports about new troops arriving to the occupied territories and heavy weapons relocated.

Kyiv, June 3, 2016. According to Ukrainian intelligence, eight militants’ subversive reconnaissance groups were active in the ATO zone on June 2, informed spokesman of Presidential Administration on ATO-related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Two groups emerged near Luhansk, one near Avdiivka and three more near Krasnohorivka, Mariinka and Novotroitske,” said the spokesman. Intelligence also informed that four reconnaissance flights of militants’ unmanned aerial vehicles were registered in the Donetsk and Mariupol sectors.

Militant shelled Ukrainian troops’ positions 31 times in the Mariupol sector of the ATO zone yesterday, using mortar launchers 12 times. The attacks took place along the entire frontline except Novohnativka – Chermalyk area. Krasnohorivka, Mariinka, Novotroitske and Shyrokyne became the main flashpoints. “The occupants were intensively shooting from mortar launchers and artillery in Krasnohorivka and Mariinka today. Four buildings were damaged, inhabited localities are partially cut off the electricity supply,” informed Col.  Lysenko.

14 militants’ attacks took place in the Donetsk sector. Mortar launchers and armored personnel carriers were used. “According to the General Staff, over 250 mortar shells were launched at our positions,” said the spokesman. The most intense hostilities took place at the Svitlodarsk bulge, near Zaitseve, Novoselivka Druha, Avdiivka and Opytne. Militants violated the ceasefire in the Luhansk sector four times, in Stanytsia Luhanska and Novozvanivka.

Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no casualties in combat in the past 24 hours and eight troops were wounded. “ATO troops incurred these losses in the Donetsk sector, in Zaitseve, Novoselivka Druha and Avdiivka as a result of hostile attacks. Moreover, one serviceman, who was heavily wounded in Zaitseve, died in hospital,” said Col.  Lysenko.

According to the intelligence, a militant from so-called “9th separate marine assault motorized rifle regiment” from Novoazovsk died yesterday. Moreover, three killed and two wounded from the same subdivision were admitted to Novoazovsk hospital. “Commanders of this subdivision systematically hide the facts of their subordinates’ death. For instance, militants Yuriy Reutskiy (sniper) and Serhiy Shatov (machine gunner) who died long ago, are still on the “regiment” lists and receive support,” said the spokesman. Moreover, a Russian citizens from so-called “2nd battalion of 11th separate motorized rifle regiment” (Makiivka) was killed on May 28 during an attempted night attack at Ukrainian position “Putylivska coal mine”.
“It was a 40-year-old Sergei Glinka. The man used to live in Sergiev Posad town near Moscow before the war,” informed Col.  Lysenko.

According to the intelligence, two buses with about 80 Russia troops came to Novoazovsk from Russia. 15 tanks were moved to Diakove in Antratsyt district, Luhansk region from Russia, and four fuel tanks carrying 200 tons of lubrication and combustible materials arrived at Rovenky, to the base of so-called “2nd army corps of the Luhansk people’s republic”.

Ukrainian law enforcement officers detained an experienced agent of self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) near Krasnohorivka. “The criminal joined militants as a common soldier. Later he became a reconnoiter finding location of ATO troops. Law enforcements detained him when he was adjusting militants’ fire,” said Col. Lysenko. Moreover, a former officer of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was detained. He joined separatists in 2014, and after liberation of Kramatorsk fled to Russia where he remained until recently. Law enforcements also seized illegal ammunition from inhabitants of Avdiivka and Selidove in Donetsk region. A F-1 grenade with a fuse was seized from the first one and a RGD-5 grenade from the second. A TNT block and tow fuses were seized in Starohnativka during search of a building.

Col. Lysenko also informed that a coordination information center was launched at the Ministry of Defense, being a site for cooperation between the military and civil journalists. “Advance information parties are one of the mechanisms of such partnership. We plan to involve independent journalist and have them visit the frontline areas,” explained Col. Lysenko. The first advance party consisting “Narodna Armia” and “Kryla Ukrainy” journalists has already set out to the pilot trip to the ATO zone. The party is studying challenges the representatives of mass media may face and establishes communication with unit commanders.