Conflict chronology, August 17 – 23, 2017: Fighting on the eve of Independence Day

On August 17, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded as a result of hostilities. In Donetsk sector, militants mortared Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka throughout the day. Light weapons were involved in the attack on Zaitseve, which resulted in serious damage to residential buildings and household infrastructure. In Mariupol sector, militants violated the ceasefire three times in Krasnohorivka, Starohnativka and Shyrokyne, using heavy weapons and small arms. In Luhansk sector, militants used light weapons in Popasna district and mortars on Bakhmut road.

On  August 18, three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In Luhansk sector, militants fired over 60 mortar rounds within less than an hour during an attack on Krymske. In addition, the enemy violated the ceasefire three times in Popasna district. In Donetsk sector, militants attacked Zaitseve, Avdiivka and Shakhta Butovka position. They used light and heavy weapons, including mortars and a tank. The enemy also scattered attacks throughout the Mariupol sector.

On August 19, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. In Mariupol sector, militants used mortars and cannons near Starohnativka. Grenade launchers damaged residential homes in Maryinka. In Donetsk sector, the worst situation was in Avdiivka. Militants used light weapons, mortars, tanks and armored vehicles there. The adversary used mortars to shell Svitlodarsk area, and grenade launchers and machine guns to attack Verkhniotoretske. In Zaitseve, residential buildings came under light weapons fire. In Luhansk sector, militants used mortars. Bakhmut road came under the most intense fire.

Overall, on August 20, militants violated the ceasefire 47 times. In Luhansk sector, militants used mortars, armored vehicles, and light weapons in attacks on Ukrainian positions in Popasna district. In Donetsk sector, militants continued shelling Avdiivka area with guns, mortars and the Grad-P rocket launcher. They fired more than 130 rounds. In Mariupol sector, hostilities took place throughout the frontline. Maryinka’s residential area came under militants’ fire. Three attacks in this sector involved heavy weapons. Five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded on that day.

On August 21, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in ATO zone. Another one was wounded. Avdiivka remained the epicenter of confrontation in Donetsk sector. The fighting around the village continued for more than 10 hours. Militants used mortars and light weapons. In Zaitseve, militants used IFV mounted weapons and mortars. Militants’ fire hit residential areas. In Luhansk sector, militants violated the ceasefire using light weapons and mortars in Krymske, Novotoshkivske, Novooleksandrivka, Troitske, Staryi Aidar and Stanytsia Luhanska. In Mariupol sector, militants shelled Bohdanivka, Maryinka, Vodiane, and Shyrokyne using mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms.

On August 22, four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In Luhansk sector, militants shelled Popasna and Stanytsia Luhanska districts as well as the outskirts of Krymske using mortars and light weapons. In Donetsk sector, militants also used mortars to shell Kamianka – Shakhta Butovka position frontline, Svitlodarsk area, and Zaitseve. In Mariupol sector, militants shelled Ukrainian positions in Maryinka, Hnutove, Vodiane, and Talakivka with 122 mm cannons.

On August 23, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In Luhansk sector, the fire was concentrated in Popasna district and Krymske. The enemy used light weapons and mortars. In Donetsk sector, militants used light weapons to attack Avdiivka, Zaitseve, and Shakhta Butovka position. In Mariupol sector, hostile attacks were recorded in Pavlopil, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne.

The previous part of conflict chronology (August 10-16, 2017) is available here.

Report on the military developments as of the previous week is available here, as of  August 28 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.