Kyiv, 3 February 2015 – Over the night, pro-Russian militants continued firing at the location of Ukrainian military positions. “Verkhnya Vilkhova was shelled three times with BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, as well as Artem and Shchastia. The localities of Krymske, Sokolnyky, Verkhnya Vilkhova and Tryokhizbenka were fired upon with mortars,” said Leonyd Matyukhin, spokesman for the ATO Staff via Skype at a briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
At the briefing, Leonyd Matyukhin said that Russian-backed militants continue to use artillery, mortars, and Grad missile launchers in the towns and cities they control. . “They use the fact that Ukrainian servicemen are not firing at the localities where peaceful citizens live, and place their equipment there,” said the ATO Staff spokesman.
Militants struck the city of Stanytsia Luhanska with artillery, where there previously existed an agreement between Ukrainian and pro-Russian forces. “Resulting from the fierce combat, militants suffered losses and retreated,” stated the spokesman. “Criminals shelled Tryokhizbenka with artillery and mortars,” he added. From Donetsk, the cities of Nevelske and Vodyane were shelled by Grads, while Kranohorivka and Pisky were attacked twice with mortars. In addition, Ukrainian positions in the area of Novhorodske were fired upon with automatic grenade launchers, while the outskirts of Debaltseve were shelled with mortars, Novohryhorivka was fired upon with small arms. “Ignoring the rules of engagement, the criminals fired from positions where civilians live,” said Matyukhin. “Yet another time Pisky was shelled with Grads, which does not cease either during the daytime nor at night.,” noted ATO Staff spokesman.
