Kyiv, January 19, 2016. The situation in the ATO zone remains tense. Militants continue shooting at Ukrainian positions using mortar launchers, grenade launchers and armor, in addition to small arms. This information was provided by ATO Staff spokesman, Colonel Andriy Zadubinnyi, via Skype at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “Pro-Russian separatists shot at our strongholds near Mariinka, Pisky, Avdiivka and Butovka coal mine using grenade launchers and small arms. The situation became more difficult in Shyrokyne in the Mariupol sector. Militants were shooting at our troops from mortar launchers and grenade launchers,” said the spokesman. In total, Russia-backed militants shot at ATO strongholds 47 times in the past 24 hours.
On January 18 militants continued attacking Ukrainian positions, using mortar launchers, grenade launchers and small arms, shooting the most intensively in the vicinity of Horlivka. “Russia-backed mercenaries opened provocative fire at Ukrainian strongholds near Mayorsk, Zaitseve and Novhorodske using small arms and grenade launchers,” said Col. Zadubinnyi. Militants were active near Starohnativka in the Mariupol sector. “The enemy shot at our strongholds near Starohnativka in the Mariupol sector using armored personnel carrier (APC) and anti-aircraft mounts,” said the spokesman. Moreover, militants shot at Ukrainian positions near Lebedynske using mortar launchers. “Russia-backed militants shot at our troops who defend strongholds near Vodiane from 120-mm mortar launchers,” said Col. Zadubinnyi.
Militants shelled ATO troops’ positions from grenade launchers and large machine guns in the Donetsk direction. Russia-backed militant groups opened fire at strongholds in the vicinity of Opytne, Pisky and Dutivka coal mine. “Militants shot at ATO forces from an anti-tank cannon and mortar launchers near Krasnohorivka. An APC was used to shoot at our stronghold near Luhanske,” said Col. Zadubinnyi. According to Col. Zadubinnyi, Ukrainian troops were made to respond with authorized fire at some sectors of the frontline. Militants violated the ceasefire 171 times in the past three days.
