Ministry of Defense: Militants drastically increase number of attacks

Following three days of relative decrease of the number of armed provocations, militants drastically increase the attacks yesterday. They are actively using heavy arms. The biggest number of attacks, 39, happened in the Mariupol sector. “Militants are using mortar launchers, 122-mm and 152-mm artillery and tanks. The situation is especially restless near Shyrokyne where attacks continued almost for 24 hours – from 2 a.m. to 10:23 p.m. Hostilities of the same intensity took place near Vodiane, Talakivka and Krasnohorivka,” said spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Three Ukrainian troops died as a result of militants’ mortar shelling in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, and one more serviceman was wounded. In total, insurgents launched 45 artillery shells and 380 mortar shells in this sector.

According to Col. Motuzyanyk, Russia-backed militant groups violated the ceasefire in Popasna, Novyi Aidar and Stanytsia Luhanska areas in the Luhansk sector. “The situation was the most difficult near Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka where militants repeatedly opened mortar fire. Moreover, mortar launchers were used in the vicinity of Troitske and Krymske,” he said. In total, militants launched 77 mortar shells. “Let me remind that militants violated the ceasefire near Stanytsia Luhanska, which is a blunt violation of the agreements regarding disengagement of troops and equipment. Because of regular hostile provocations Ukrainian army continues remaining at their strongholds to provide safety of local civilians,” emphasized Col. Motuzyanyk.

Hostilities in the Donetsk sector continue in traditional areas – in Avdiivka and the vicinity, Luhanske settlement and the perimeter of Horlivka. “Almost every attack was accompanied by fire from 82-mm and 120-mm mortars or grenade launchers. In total, militants lunched 158 mortar shells,” said the spokesman. Another Ukrainian serviceman was injured in combat near Verkhniotoretske.

According to Col. Motuzyanyk, Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination secured repair of a power transmission line at Donetsk filtration plant. “The line was damaged in hostile shelling several days ago. Inhabitants of Avdiivka, Yasynuvata and the adjacent towns and settlements got access to running water again,” he said.

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