Kyiv, June 20, 2016. Yesterday, the largest number of the ceasefire violations in the ATO zone took place in Krasnohorivka and south of the city. Russia-backed militant groups densely fired 152-mm artillery and mortar of various calibers. Militants also fired from a tank during the hours of darkness. “Militants launched 122 mortar shells, 20 artillery and 13 tank missiles, and shot from armored personnel carrier six times,” informed spokesman of Presidential Administration on ATO related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Moreover, militants instigated armed provocations near Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Hnutove using grenade launchers, large machine guns and small arms. Two cases of the armistice violation took place near Mariinka, one of which included a sniper attack.
The vicinity of Avdiivka and Horlivka remain flashpoints in the Donetsk sector. Militants shot from mortar launchers, grenade launchers and small arms near Avdiivka and Putylivska coal mine. “The situation was especially restless near Zaitseve, where militants were shooting from mortar launchers, grenade launchers of various systems and small arms virtually non-stop for three hours on the night of June 18-19, said the spokesman. He added that several sporadic attacks took place in Maiorsk, Novhorodske and Verkhniotoretske. Two other armed insurgent provocations were instigated near Luhanske settlement at the Svitlodarsk bulge.
Militants attacked six times in 24 hours in the Luhansk sector. “Most attacks were directed at ATO troop positions near Novozvanivka where militants used 82-mm and 120-mm mortar launchers. A hostile sniper was operaring in the adjacent Novooleksandrivka, and grenade launchers and large machine guns were used,” said the spokesman. Sporadic armed provocations were registered near Popasna and Syze.
“One Ukrainian serviceman died in hostile shelling near Novozvanivka yesterday. Two other troops were wounded,” informed Col. Lysenko. According to the available information, militants lost seven fighters dead and 11 wounded from four different subdivisions – so-called “9th platoon,” “100th brigade,” “3rd brigade” and “7th brigade.” “It must be said that the “100th brigade” fighting near Mariinka and the “3rd brigade,” regularly shelling Ukrainian position along Zaitseve-Maiorsk frontline, incurred the heaviest losses,” added Col. Lysenko.
According to the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, several militant subdivisions were placed in highest operational readiness yesterday. “These were combat crews and duty air defense facilities of the so-called “3rd separate motorized rifle brigade” (Horlivka) and the “11th separate motorized rifle regiment” (Makiivka), as well as the anti-tank reserve of the “9th separate marine assault motorized rifle regiment” (Novoazovsk),” said Col. Lysenko.
Artillery (howitzer and mortar batteries) of the above mentioned “9th regiment” was moved to ready positions near the frontline. Coordinates for delivering fire were adjusted using unmanned aerial vehicle.
