Russia-backed militants hit a residential area in Zalizne in the Donetsk sector, damaging windows and electric grids, informed the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Hostilities continued along the entire frontline yesterday, except for the Donetsk airport. A series of lengthy firefights between Ukrainian troops and militants took place in Zaitseve and Avdiivka. “Militants used heavy arms at the Svitlodarsk bulge – both in the frontline and near rear area, as well as near Horlivka, in Avdiivka and the vicinity. The situation was also restless in Luhanske – Avdiivka frontline area,” said the spokesman. In total, militants made 18 shooting attacks in the last 24 hours in the Donetsk sector, and one third of them involved use of heavy weapons.
One Ukrainian serviceman died in combat yesterday, and three troops were wounded.
Militants drastically increased number and intensity of attacks from heavy weapons in the Luhansk sector. They used mortar launchers and cannons at Bakhmut road and in Novozvanivka. Over 130 mortar shells and bombs were launched at Ukrainian positions, and three fourths of attacks happened in Krymske. Russia-backed militants were shooting from at least one 120-mm mortar battery and one 152-mm artillery battery. The biggest number of attacks took place in Popasna district. “Moreover, the enemy violated ceasefire in Stanytsia Luhanska and Lobacheve,” added Col. Motuzyanyk. In total, 12 militants’ attacks took place in the Luhansk sector yesterday, and half of them involved use of heavy arms.
Insurgents are violating the armistice during the day and at night in the Mariupol sector. “Several intense hostile mortar attacks were registered in Mariinka and the adjacent Slavne village in the evening. Main hostilities took place in Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline area,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. In total, militants made 30 shooting attacks in the Mariupol sector yesterday, using heavy weapons in five of them.
Report on the military developments as of January 14 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
