Two Ukrainian troops died in combat in the past 24 hours and five were injured, informed the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Three militants’ attacks took place in the Luhansk sector yesterday in different areas. “Russian proxies used small weapons in Stanytsia Luhanska and Lopaskyne, and artillery was used in Krymske,” said Col. Lysenko. The armistice held in the Popasna area yesterday.
Over 80 percent of attacks in the Donetsk sector took place in the Avdiivka industrial area. The final shelling lasted three hours non-stop. “Occupants were using mortar launchers virtually during every incident,” said Col. Lysenko. Moreover, militants violated the ceasefire in Luhanske where the most intense attack in the entire Donetsk sector took place. Militants launched 14 mortar shells at Ukrainian positions. In total, seven militants’ attacks took place in the Donetsk sector yesterday, and five of them involved use of heavy armor.
Area of hostilities expanded in the Mariupol sector. Militants organized a series of attacks from heavy armor in Novomykhailivka and Slavne in Mariinka district, and in Pyshchevyk near Pavlopil. “In addition to mortar launchers and cannons, occupants used armored personnel carrier and snipers several times,” said the spokesman. Hostilities continue along the entire frontline and Ukrainian troops respond with fire. In total, 27 militants’ attacks took place in the Mariupol sector in the past 24 hours, and 11 of them involved use of heavy armor. “Two flights of hostile unmanned aerial vehicles took place in the Donetsk and Mariupol sectors,” added Col. Lysenko.
According to Col. Lysenko, counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine prevented a militants’ attempt to create a human intelligence network in Luhansk region. “Occupants were trying to recruit a Ukrainian government official detained by militants in the demarcation line in September this year. Being threatened bodily harm, the man agreed to cooperate, but had no time to commit wrongdoing. Counterintelligence seized the criminal in time,” said the spokesman.
