Kyiv, February 24, 2015 – Russia-backed militants did not cease firing at the Ukrainian positions over the night of February 23-24. The highest number of violations of the ceasefire regime has occurred in the Debaltseve sector. “The enemy shelled the towns of Popasna and Luhanske from the seven times from 20:00 till 22:00,” said Anatoliy Stelmakh, ATO Staff spokesman, via Skype at a briefing a Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Also, pro-Russian insurgents shelled Opytne, Tonenke and Avdiivka in Donetsk region from mortars and the artillery over the night.
Insurgents continued attacks on the Ukrainian positions outside of Shyrokine at the Mariupol direction. The military skirmishes took 30 minutes there, starting from 1:45. Furthermore, the militant infantry units attempted to storm the Ukrainian Armed Forces stationed in the area of Dutovka mine at around 9pm. No firing incidents occurred at the Luhansk direction. “Overall, pro-Russian militants fired at the Ukrainain forces 12 times over the last night,” added the ATO Staff spokesman.
Ukrainian air defense forces also noted 10 enemy UAVs active, conducting reconnaissance missions along the entire combat line.