Ukrainian positions came under hostile fire from both small arms and heavy weapons. The tensest fights occur in the Mariupol sector.
Overall, the number of ceasefire violations was between 17 on November 21 at the lowest point to 48 on November 23 at the highest. “Situation on the frontline did not change significantly. Frequent ceasefire violations on the part of Russian proxy forces occurred on the daily basis,” said Vilyen Pidgornyy, Ministry of Defense spokesperson, at a press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Mariupol sector
The 82 and 120 mm mortars and 152 mm artillery were used most often in the Mariupol sector. The vast majority of ceasefire violations took place in the area of Maryinka, Krasnohorivka, Vodiane and Shyrokyne, but also included other flashpoints of the conflict, such as Talakivka, Lebedinske and Pavlopil. There was a higher number of hostile sniper fires on November 23. “Overall, there were 5 incidents of militant snipers targeting Ukrainian positions,” noted Mr Pidgornyy.
Donetsk sector
Russia-backed militants violated ceasefire in the Donetsk sector primarily in the area of the Donetsk airport, including Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky, as well as Luhanske village and on the Horlivka perimeter.
Luhansk sector
In the Luhansk sector, tensions persisted across the whole sector. Ceasefire violations were registered in every frontline area of the sector, namely: Novoaidar, Popasna and Stanytsia Luhanska areas. Over the week, Ukrainian troops have registered seven episodes of hostile drones conducting aerial reconnaissance. Ukraine’s military intelligence reports the ongoing military assistance of Moscow to its proxies. Russia delivered 750 tons of fuel and 240 tons of rounds of ammunition.
Casualties
Last week, three Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action and 16 servicemen were wounded in action. “A civilian was injured as a result of a booby trap explosion in Maryinka, Mariupol sector,” added Mr Pidgornyy.
Damage to the civilian infrastructure
Four private homes were damaged as a result of militant attacks last week. Two of them are in Maryinka and the other two in Avdiivka and Pisky. The militants keep firing at civilian infrastructure, particularly the gas pipelines and energy supply lines. As a result of militant attacks near Krasnohorivka, 428 civilians were cut from the power supply. In Toretsk, 48,900 people are deprived of water supply. The local authorities claim readiness to restore pipeline in the next two days. However, the Russian side at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination refuses to provide safety guarantees for the sixth day in a row, exacerbating the abject living conditions of peaceful population in the frontline areas. As of now, Ukrainian authorities do everything they can, delivering 260-300 tons of water every day.
Humanitarian assistance
Over the week, the Ukrainian authorities arranged access and safe passage through government checkpoints on the contact line of 44 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid for civilians living on the occupied areas in eastern Ukraine. “The total payload of aid exceeds 587 tons. It includes food and medication. Humanitarian assistance was provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross as well as by Ukrainian charity organizations,” said Vilyen Pidgornyy.
