Russia-backed militants in eastern Ukraine committed 16 ceasefire violations yesterday using, among other armaments, tanks, mortars, IFVs, and antiaircraft mounts. Ukrainian troops returned fire 10 times, reported Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO, at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants made 12 precision attacks. They used 120-mm mortars and tanks in Pisky, Vodiane, and Novoselivka Druha areas. “Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, Hnutove, and Verkhniotoretske also came under fire. Militants fired dozens of 82-mm and 120-mm mortar rounds, used IFV mounted weapons, antiaircraft mounts, small arms and light weapons,” Colonel Motuzyanyk said. Ukrainian troops returned fire using weapons not proscribed under the Minsk agreements.
In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies violated the ceasefire four times. “In the afternoon, militants attacked Ukrainian troops near Svitlodarsk with grenade launchers and small arms. In the evening, the enemy used a sniper and 120-mm and 82-mm mortars against Ukrainian positions in Krymske,” the ATO spokesperson elaborated.
Unfortunately, One Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action near Novoselivka Druha; two more Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action near Luhanske.
Report on the military developments as of December 21 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
