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Ministry of Defense: Ukrainian troops intensively respond with fire in Mariupol sector  

Полковник Олександр Мотузяник, речник Міністерства оборони України з питань АТО. УКМЦ, 16.01.2017

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Ukraine responds with fire and suffers no fatalities, Russian citizen involved in coordinating an militants’ agent network in Krasnohorivka detained.

The number of militants’ attacks in the Mariupol sector exceeds the other two sectors together. Russia-backed militants are violating the armistice along the entire frontline area, 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. “Adversary traditionally used mortar launchers and cannons in Mariinka district and near the Azov Sea. Krasnohorivka, Mariinka, Pavlopil. Hnutove and Shyrokyne remain the traditional flashpoints. Ukrainian troops intensively responded with fire,” he said.  Militants made 37 attacks in this sector yesterday, and six of them involved use of heavy arms.

The situation in the Luhansk sector was the most restless in Troitske yesterday. Insurgents were firing from grenade launchers and 120 mm mortar launchers. Moreover, they made a mortar attack in Novooleskandrivka. “Russia-backed militant groups used light weapons in Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote. In total over 20 shells were launched at our positions in this sector,” said the spokesman.

A number of powerful mortar attacks at Ukrainian positions from different directions took place in Novhorodske in the Donetsk sector. “In total, militants launched 54 shells at our positions in Novhorodske. Moreover, the situation was restless in Avdiivka: Russian proxies were shooting from mortars and artillery from the direction of Yasynuvata during six hours and used mortar launchers in Novoluhanske,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.  In total, enemies carried out 14 attacks in the Donetsk sector yesterday, using heavy weapons six times.

According to Col. Motuzyanyk, Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat yesterday, and one serviceman was wounded. At the same time, seven militants died last week and 14 were wounded.

The Security Service of Ukraine liquidated a militants’ agent network in Krasnohorivka. “Three criminals were collecting information on composition, weapons and movement of Ukrainian troops in the combat zone in East Ukraine. A Russian citizen Yaroslav Yefendiev (nom de guerre Effendi) has been found to be the curator of the agent net. He is an assistant chief for intelligence at so-called “5th brigade” of Russian occupational troops,” explained the spokesman.

Report on the military developments as of January 15 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.