Olexandr Motuzyanyk: There are two “hot spots” in Donetsk sector- around Horlivka and Donetsk. In Luhansk sector, militants fire on Shchastia

Kyiv, 22 November 2015.  In Luhansk sector, militants violated ceasefire in Shchastia for the first time this week. They fired on Ukrainian positions with grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars from the right side of the Siversky Donets river. However, ceasefire holds along the front line up to Svitlodarsk, informed the Presidential Administration spokesperson on the ATO related issues Colonel Olexandr Motuzyanyk during a briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. According to him, two “hot spots” remain in Donetsk sector – the northern outskirts of Horlivka and the western outskirts of Donetsk. “The enemy uses small arms and grenade launchers during provocative shelling. In addition, militants used 82 mm mortars twice near Maryinka and Krasnohorivka. Most provocations are registered in Zaitseve, Pisky and Maryinka,” said Motuzyanyk.

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In Mariupol sector, militants were active near Chermalyk. They opened fire once from the left bank of the river Kalmius. Yesterday, it was also restless in Shyrokyne where militants carried out several provocations, using 82-mm mortars and grenade launchers. Col. Motuzyanyk emphasized that over the last day no Ukrainian military was killed in action, one soldier was wounded. “However, two soldiers died due to a landmine blast. It happened north to Bakhmutka road, near Krymske. Two more soldiers died this morning because of the explosion of an unknown device near Stanitsa Luhanska,”- stated Col. Motuzyanyk.

The National Police officers in Donetsk region detained some separatists who tried to hide in Avdiivka. “Officers detained two mercenaries who actively participated in capturing state institutions in the city in 2014. In addition, the police identified more than 10 local residents who are fighting on the occupiers’ side,” explained Motuzyanyk

At the same time in Lysychansk (Luhansk region) police detained a militant who was going to conduct a terrorist attack. According to Colonel Motuzyanyk, the police seized a map of nearby town Rubizhne from him. The map traced the facility subject to a diversion. Currently, the police are identifying detainee’s accomplices.

Decommunisation process persists in the Ukrainian army. President of Ukraine signed a decree awarding honorary titles to military units, institutions, communication centers, agencies and departments of the Armed Forces, National Guard, State Border Guard, and Special Transportation Service of Ukraine. “Orders of the former Soviet Union, old names of renamed cities, etc won’t be mentioned in the names of Ukrainian military units. This will shorten the names of Ukrainian brigades and regiments and will deprive them of the Soviet content,” explained spokesperson on ATO related issues.

Colonel Motuzyanyk also informed about the international cooperation of Ukrainian military. American instructors started training of Ukrainian specialists of Special Operations Forces, who, in their turn, will instruct Ukrainian special squad soldiers upon completing the training. The USA “commando” system course will last six months. During the selection of candidates, priority was given to special squad soldiers, paratroopers and scouts that serve on contract and have experience in ATO,” he added.

Delegation of the Armed Forces of Sweden visited the Center for explosive ordnance disposal and mine clearance. The Swedish delegation invited Ukrainian specialists to participate in international exercise “Bison Counter – 2016” held in Sweden in August next year. The training is intended to counter improvised explosive devices. “The training will involve units of NATO member countries. Thus, Ukrainian sappers will have a chance to adopt their experience in accordance with international standards STANAG and SOP,” said Colonel Motuzyanyk.