Ministry of Defense: One Ukrainian serviceman killed in action in eastern Ukraine

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Russia-backed militants delivered 66 attacks on Ukrainian troops in eastern Ukraine over the last day, 64 of these were precision attacks. Militants fired 90 rounds from 82-mm and 120-mm mortars. “One Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action, another one was wounded in action. He is in critical condition,” reported Ministry of Defense spokesman Colonel Dmytro Hutsulyak at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies opened precision fire 12 times upon Ukrainian troops. “It was relatively calm in the sector between midnight and the afternoon. At about 14:00, Russia-backed militants fired five 120-mm mortar rounds at the Ukrainian troops defending Troitske. Between afternoon and midnight, Ukrainian troops defending Krymske and Troitske came under fire 82-mm mortars,” Colonel Hutsulyak said. Moreover, militants made precision attacks on Ukrainian troops outside Troitske and Luhanske using an anti-aircraft mount ZU-23-3 and IFV mounted weapons. The enemy also used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms against the Ukrainian troops defending Novozvanivka, Svitlodarsk, Artemove, and Zaitseve (twice).

In Donetsk sector, Russian proxies violated the ceasefire 54 times. “Militants shelled Ukrainian troops deployed outside Pisky and Vodiane with 120-mm mortars and used 82-mm mortars near Vodiane, Talakivka, and Shakhta Butovka (five attacks),” the Ministry of Defense spokesperson said. Militants used ZU-23-3 antiaircraft cannon and IFV mounted weapons near Shakhta Butovka, Opytne, Vodiane and Talakivka. “Outside the above strongholds as well as near Pavlopil, Maryinka, Avdiivka, Lebedynske, Kamianka, Shyrokyne, Hnutove, and Krasnohorivka militants were conducting harassing fire using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Hostile sniper fire was recorded outside Avdiivka, Pavlopil and Pisky,” the ATO spokesperson added.

Ukrainian troops were compelled to return fire in 20 cases using infantry weapons.

Report on the military developments as of April 12 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.