Colonel Lysenko: Militants are shelling positions near Stanytsia Luhanska, Ukrainian Armed Forces cannon withdraw equipment in this area

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Militants use cannons in Vodiane, Mariupol sector, heavy armor is intensely used in the Luhansk sector, although there is one spot where ceasefire holds.

Kyiv, October 9, 2016. The Armed Forces of Ukraine are forcedly delaying withdrawal of troops and equipment in the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska. “This decision has been taken due to systematic violation of ceasefire by Russia-backed militant groups and their failure to adhere to the framework decision of Trilateral contact group regarding disengagement of troops and equipment,” informed Colonel Andriy Lysenko, spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

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In the Luhansk sector major hostilities took place in the Popasna district. “Occupants started shooting at Ukrainian positions after 3 p.m. and continued till late night. Moreover, the adversaries started using all the available heavy armor – mortar launchers and large barrel artillery,” said the spokesman. The total number of launched missiles exceeded 80 pieces. According to Col. Lysenko, density of militants’ fire and wide range of weapons is the evidence of several artillery batteries present in their positions within the length of several kilometers (so-called 4th brigade). Another militants’ armed provocation took place in Krymske. The armistice held in the other frontline area. In total, 16 militants’ attack took place in the Luhansk sector yesterday, seven involved use of heavy armor. Moreover, a flight of militants’ unmanned aerial vehicle was registered in this sector.

One Ukrainian serviceman died in combat in the past 24 hours and one was wounded. It happened in Troitske at the Svitlodarsk bulge as a result of tripping a mine. Confirmed losses of militants amount to tem people dead and four wounded.

The number of attacks in the Donetsk sector was small, but they were quite lengthy. Combat activity continued in several points – at the Svitlodarsk bulge, near Horlivka, in Avdiivka industrial area and north of it. Militants used 82-mm mortar launchers and armor. The ceasefire held in the Donetsk airport yesterday. In total, militants conducted five attacks in the Donetsk sector yesterday, three of these involved use of heavy armor.

Combat activity in the Mariupol sector continues in the same strongholds as in the previous days – Mariinka, the vicinity of Starihnativka and Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline area.  Nevertheless, the number of militants’ attacks increased considerably. Russian proxies are regularly using heavy armor. “The situation is the most difficult in Shyrokyne. For instance, hostile mortar attacks continued over four hours there during the day. The adversary used not only mortar launchers, but 122-mm cannons in Vodiane. Moreover, a hostile mortar attack took place in Krasnohorivka,” said the spokesman. In total, 27 militants’ attacks took place in the Mariupol sector yesterday, 10 of them involved use of heavy armor.