Kyiv, February 7, 2015 – Evacuation of civilians from Debaltseve town started in compliance with agreements reached at joint center of ceasefire control and coordination. Over 600 people were taken out of the conflict zone in more than 50 buses. “Ceasefire at Debaltseve-Vuhlehirsk and Debaltseve-Artemivsk routes will be prolonged from 8:00am to10:00am and from 02:00pm до 05:00pm. Altogether, Ukrainian rescue workers and volunteers evacuated over 4500 people from the danger area in the past 10 days”, – informed ATO spokesman Volodymyr Polevyi during the press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Situation in the anti-terrorist operation zone remains stringent. Militants are delivering fire and make attempts to assail disposition of the ATO forces along all the line of demarcation. According to recent reports, Russian-terrorist troops are accumulating forces for future offensive in Debaltseve and Mariupol direction. Weapons, munition, combustible and lubrication materials are actively transported from Russian territory for militants’ needs through segments of the state border beyond control of Ukraine. Decrease in number of tanks, IFVs, APCs, Grad and Uragan MRLSs accumulated nearby Debaltseve and Hranitne is observed.
Illegal armed groups continue shelling towns in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Terrorists shelled Popasna and Nova Hryhorivka using Grad MRLS four times. South-east edge of Debaltseve and Sanzharivka were attacked with mortar fire. Towns are being shelled along all the demarcation line.
Following long-lasting shelling, terrorists started assailing defensive posts and checkpoints of the ATO forces nearby Ridkodub and Avdiyivka settlements in Donetsk region and Mius, Chornukhine and Krymske settlements in Luhansk regions. “Militants’ infantry covered by a tank tried to assail “Fashchivka” checkpoint defended by border guards and servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrainian troops returned the fire, artillery of the Armed Forces supported the defenders”, – said ATO spokesman. All the attacks have been countered. According to recent reports, terrorists incurred losses in past 24 hours: 48 militants were killed and 22 wounded. The enemy also sustained considerable loss of weaponry. “5 Ukrainian servicemen died in the past 24 hours and 26 were wounded”, – added Volodymyr Polevyi.
