Ministry of Defense: Russia-backed militants extensively use Minsk-proscribed Grad MLRS, heavy artillery, and mortars

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Over the last day, Russia-backed militants delivered 76 attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions making an extensive use of BM-21 Grad MLRS, tanks, artillery, and mortars. Ukrainian troops returned fire 30 times. “Eight Ukrainian troops were wounded in action, three more were injured,” reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman Colonel Maksym Prauta at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, Ukrainian troops recorded 25 hostile attacks. Outside Novoluhanske Russian proxies launched 40 rockets from BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems, made 30 shots from 152-mm artillery, fired five rounds from tank cannon and six 120-mm mortar rounds as well as used grenade launchers. In Svitlodarsk area, militants made 10 shots from 152-mm artillery. After 23:00 they fired five rounds from tanks cannon near Novoselivka. Moreover, militants shelled the areas outside Zaitseve, Novhorodske and twice near Luhanske with 122-mm artillery.

“Russia-backed militants used 120-mm mortars to deliver intense attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions outside Novhorodske, Novozvanivka, Novoluhanske, as well as near Troitske (three times) and five times near Luhanske,” the Ministry of Defense spokesperson said. Militants used 82-mm mortars near Novoselivka, Novozvanivka, Svitlodarsk, twice in Luhanske area, and three times near Troitske.

Russian proxies made attacks using an anti-aircraft mount ZU-23-2 near Novhorodske late at night, with IFV mounted weapons in Novoselivka, Novozvanivka, Luhanske, and Novhorodske areas. Militants also used grenade launchers and heavy machine guns.

In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants made 51 attacks. Militants shelled Ukrainian troops near Verkhniotoretske, Hnutove, Vodiane and Shakhta Butovka with 120-mm mortars and used 82-mm mortars outside Avdiivka and Shakhta Butovka as well as IFV mounted weapons in Talakivka, Bohdanivka, Vodiane, and Shakhta Butovka areas. In addition, near Shyrokyne, Verkhniotoretske, Hnutove, Vodiane, Avdiivka, Talakivka, Krasnohorivka, Bohdanivka, Pavlopil, Slavne, Lomakyne, Pishchevyk, Kamianka, Pisky, Lebedynske, Nevelske, and Shakhta Butovka Russian proxies delivered fire using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. Hostile sniper fire was recorded outside Hnutove.

Between midnight and 09:00 on April 26, Russia-backed militants made six precision attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions, all of them took place in Donetsk sector. Militants discharged six 120-mm rounds near Zaitseve and used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms outside Kamianka and Avdiivka.

Report on the military developments as of April 25 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.