First results of multinational inspection team’s work conducting inspection of Russian territory near the border with Ukraine have been published. Inspectors from Ukraine, Canada and Denmark were working in Rostov region, said 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. The 150th motorized rifle division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation actively forms near Ukrainian border. According to expert opinion, it will number 10.5 thousand troops. Inspectors found large artillery detachments of Russian army in the vicinity of Novocherkask. Ukrainian side presumes that manpower and armament of the 150th division can be used to support activity of Russia-backed militant groups on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. “It is important to indicate that Russian side was putting pressure on inspectors and imposing limitations. For instance, on the stage of the inspection plan discussion, Russia stated, it was going to limit the area for helicopter flights to 25 km along Ukrainian border above military airfields and training areas. Later the flights were cancelled altogether, presumably due to bad weather, so inspectors could use only motor vehicles,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.
Militants are shelling Ukrainian troops’ positions in all sectors in the ATO zone. Firefights in the Luhansk sector took place only in the Popasna district yesterday. Militants significantly increased number of attacks and are actively using heavy weapons. “The situation was especially difficult between 1 and 2 p.m. when adversaries opened fire from cannons and mortar launcher. Moreover, hostilities escalated after 4 p.m. and continued until late night,” said the spokesman.
The armistice held along the frontline from the Russian border to Zolote. 11 militants’ attacks took place in the Luhansk sector yesterday, and four of them involved use of heavy armor. Over 30 mortar bombs and several shells were launched at Ukrainian positions.
The situation in the Donetsk sector was the most difficult in the Avdiivka industrial area. Russian proxies were massively shelling Ukrainian positions about four hours with recesses, launching at least 30 mortar shells. “Moreover, hostile mortar attack took place in Nevelske. Enemy was shooting directly from Donetsk. Moreover, four hostile attacks took place in Luhanske, Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Kamianets,” said Co. Motuzyanyk. In total, militants conducted eight attacks in the Donetsk sector yesterday, using heavy armor three times. Insurgents launched 40 mortar shells at Ukrainian positions.
Militants violated the ceasefire in the Mariupol sector most frequently, but used no heavy weapons. Almost 80% of attacks took place in Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline area. “Hostile snipers were active there, like before. Russian proxies attack mostly during the hours of darkness. Moreover, adversaries violated the armistice in Krasnohorivka, Mariinka, Novotroitske and Novohryhorivka,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. In total, militants conducted 36 attacks in the Mariupol sector yesterday.
Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no losses in combat in the last 24 hours, and one serviceman was wounded. It happened in Krasnohorivka as a result of militants’ shooting attack.
Report on the military developments as of January 24 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
