Ministry of Defense: Militants attack Maryinka checkpoint twice, hit private houses in Avdiivka again

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In Mariupol sector militants conducted a series of intense attacks at Maryinka between 10:00 and 13:00. They fired over 30 mortar shells and actively used light weapons, damaging two private houses. “Russian proxies opened fire at Maryinka checkpoint two times. Three vehicles were damaged by fragments. During the attacks traffic was temporarily suspended for safety reasons. Another hostile attack at Maryinka occurred late at night. Pro-Russian troops were using mortars and barrel artillery for 35 minutes,” informed Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Most active hostilities in the sector happened in Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline in the afternoon, when Russian proxies fired 35 mortar and artillery rounds at Ukrainian positions. Militants use snipers and armor in addition to heavy weapons. “Moreover, Russia-backed militants violated ceasefire in Krasnohorivka, Novotroitske and Novoselivka Druha. In total, the enemy attacked 27 times in Mariupol sector yesterday, using heavy weapons in 12 incidents,” summarized Col. Motuzyanyk.

In Luhansk sector militants violated ceasefire twice just after midnight near Stanytsia Luhanska, using only small arms. Four attacks happened in Novooleksandrivka later – one in the morning and three in the evening. Russian proxies used mortars and APC. “The ceasefire held in other frontline areas,” added Col. Motuzyanyk.

Militants are using heavy weapons – mortars, barrel artillery and Grad-P rocket launchers – along the entire frontline in Donetsk sector. They fired about 90 mortar and 10 artillery rounds at Ukrainian positions. “In addition to traditional flashpoints – Verkhniotoretske, Avdiivka and Pisky – the situation was extremely restless in Troitske and Nevelske yesterday. The enemy mostly attacked after dark, so ceasefire held between 07:00 and 18:00,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. Militants hit civilian objects again, as their projectiles damaged several private houses in Avdiivka. In total, militants violated the ceasefire 17 times in Donetsk sector yesterday, using heavy weapons in nine incidents.

No Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action yesterday, but two were wounded in Chermalyk.

Report on the military developments as of May 24  is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.