Kyiv, February 7, 2016. Number of attacks at Ukrainian positions reduced almost twice yesterday in comparison with the previous days. “47 cases of the ceasefire violation by militants were registered. Nevertheless, the situation nearby the contactline remains tense. Russia-backed militants continue sporadically using mortar launchers, ” informed Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, spokesman of Presidential Administration on ATO related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
The situation is the most difficult in the Donetsk sector. “Russia – backed militants were the most active near Krasnohorivka. Russia-backed militants started shooting at Ukrainian positions using 82-mm and 120-mm mort launchers from the direction of Staromykhailivka after midnight, stopping only in the morning. The militants launched over 75 mines at ATO troops,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. Attacks continue in the vicinity of the Donetsk airport, though no heavy armor was used. Low intensity combat activity continued on the northern outskirts of Horlivka. “Russia-backed militants launched 14 mortar shells from 82-mm mortars at ATO troops’ positions and instigated a number of armed provocations,” said the spokesman. Pro-Russian militants’ provocations took place mostly in daytime near Troitske and Novhorodske, west of Horlivka. Grenade launchers, APC weapons and small arms were used. Militants launched two mines near Troitske. Moreover, two militants’ provocations were registered at the Svitlodarsk bulge involving use of grenade launchers and large machine guns.
The armistice held in the Luhansk sector yesterday. One minor armed provocation was observed in the Mariupol sector. “Hostile snipers were active in the vicinity of Maryinka during the day. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in sniping fire. Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no other casualties yesterday,” said the spokesman.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, sanitary epidemiologic situation on the temporarily occupied territories of Donbas remains difficult. “For instance, 6 people died on February 1 in Horlivka, one lethal case was registered both in Shakhtarsk and Rovenky. Lethal cases are recorded in Luhansk every day,” informed Col. Motuzyanyk.
Officers of Ukraine’s Security Service jointly with military troops detained a vehicle with explosives in the so-called ‘grey zone’ in Popasna district of Luhansk region. “An anti-tank mine, four TNT blocks 400 g each, a condenser-type blasting machine, eight electric triggers and a time blasting fuse were seized,” informed the spokesman.
Col. Motuzyanyk also informed that residents of Toshkivka village and pupils of Nyzhnisk educational fostering institution (Popasna district in Luhansk region) received humanitarian aid from Ukrainian Armed Forces. “Our troops collected 150 food packages. They were issued in the settlement hall against recipients’ signatures upon presentation of children’s birth certificates,” elaborated the spokesman.
