https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxPETz2UPVw%20

ATO Staff spokesman: Russia-backed militants violate ceasefire 17 times over the night

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Kyiv, April 21, 2015. Russia-backed militants have violated ceasefire along the frontline from 6 pm until midnight on April 20. Militant groups fired at the Ukrainian military positions eight times from mortars, five of them from 120-mm mortars, said the ATO Staff spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Serhiy Danylenko at the press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “The enemy has also intensified the use of heavy armored equipment, mainly tanks and infantry fighting vehicles,” he added.

According to Lt. Col. Danylenko, pro-Russian militants fired at the positions of Ukrainian troops near Pisky, Donetsk region, from 120-mm mortars three times. “Militants fired at ATO forces positions near Avdiivka from an IFV, automatic grenade launchers and a 120-mm mortar. They have also fired from tanks four times, twice at the Ukrainian troops based in the area of Shyrokyne. Positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Mayorsk, Opytne, Leninske, Vodyane and Kirovo were fired upon from mortars, tanks, automatic grenade launchers and small arms,” Lt. Col. Danylenko noted.

Militants used small arms to attack another Ukrainian foothold near Zhovte village, Luhansk region. Ukrainian troops fought off militants attempt to storm positions by Syze village, Luhansk region, from 7:40 pm until 8 pm. “Residential areas did not come under fire yesterday,” Lt. Col. Danylenko concluded.