The overall situation at the frontline continues to have a simmering nature with frequent provocations instigated by Russia-backed militants. Batch of reinforcement arrives at Illovaisk and Rovenky train stations.
The number of ceasefire violations was between 44 on December 2 at the highest point and 26 on December 4 at the lowest, demonstrating a tendency opposite to the one of the previous week. Now the firing is more active in the beginning of the week.
“Ukrainian positions came under hostile fire from both small arms and heavy weapons. The number of hostile sniper fire maintained at 16 incidents,” said Vilyen Pidgornyy, Ministry of Defense spokesperson at a press-briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. The enemy snipers were active every day except the weekend. The elevated rate of sniper fire can be related to Russian regulars who train their proxy forces in eastern Ukraine, according to the spokesperson.
Mariupol sector
Hostile shelling from 82 and 120 mm mortars, 152 mm artillery and tank fire were registered in the Mariupol sector. “The vast majority of ceasefire violations took place in the area of Mariinka, Krasnohorivka, Vodiane and Shyrokyne. Other flashpoints in the sector were Talakivka, Lebedynske and Pavlopil,” stated the spokesperson.
Donetsk sector
Russia-backed militants violated ceasefire in the Donetsk sector primarily in the area of the Donetsk airport, including Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky, as well as Luhanske village and on the Horlivka perimeter.
Luhansk sector
In the Luhansk sector, tensions persisted across the whole sector. “Ceasefire violations were registered in every frontline area of the sector, namely: Novoaidar, Popasna and Stanytsia Luhanska districts,” said Mr Pidgornyy.
Over the week, Ukrainian troops have registered 5 episodes of hostile drones conducting aerial reconnaissance. The number of drone flights is still low due to complicated weather conditions in eastern Ukraine.
Military assistance of Moscow to its proxies
Ukraine’s military intelligence reports of the ongoing military assistance of Moscow to its proxies. Russia has delivered more fuel to its proxy forces. Three train echelons have arrived to the railway station in Ilovaisk, Donetsk region, and Rovenky, Luhansk region. “As of now, we can confirm that the militants received at least 1,400 tons of fuel,” stated Mr Pidgornyy.
Casualties
Last week, two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action and 19 servicemen were wounded in action.
Damage to the civilian infrastructure
According to Mr Pidgornyy, a civilian was injured as a result of explosion in the backyard of his home in Avdiivka, Donetsk sector. The incident took place early in the morning at 7:10 a. m. on November 30. Five buildings were damaged as a result of militant attacks last week. Two of them were private homes in Mariinka and the other three non-residential buildings were in Avdiivka.
Humanitarian aid
Over the week, Ukrainian authorities arranged for access and safe passage through government checkpoints on the contact line of 63 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid for civilians living on the occupied areas in eastern Ukraine. “The total payload of aid exceeds 1,345 tons. It includes food and medication, as well as electric supplies. Humanitarian assistance was provided by UNICEF, International Committee of the Red Cross as well as Ukrainian charity organizations,” stated the spokesperson.
Report on the military developments as of the previous week is available here, the report as of December 4 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
