Ministry of Defense: Militants’ most intense attacks take place in Kamianka

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Nine serviceman were wounded and one officer of State Emergency Service, who was severely injured in Avdiivka on February 2 died in hospital.

Militants were shelling Ukrainian positions along the entire frontline in the Donetsk sector. “The most intense attack took place in Kamianka yesterday. It lasted for almost seven hours,” said the spokesman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on ATO related issues Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk during press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

Insurgents are using mortars at the Svitlodarsk bulge, at Avdiivka industrial area and on its flanks, Kamianka and Butovka mine positions. They launched several dozen mortar shells in each area. “Occupants changed their tactics near Avdiivka. They abate attacks in the morning, but snipers become more active,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. In total, 32 militants’ attacks took place in the Donetsk sector, 11 incidents involved the use of heavy weapons.

Militants mostly use light weapons in the Luhansk sector. Hostile snipers were active in Stanytsia Luhanska and Lobacheve. “Moreover, Russian proxies were shelling Ukrainian troops’ positions in Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka,” added the spokesman. The armistice held in other areas. In total, ten militants’ attacks took place in the Luhansk sector.

Militants conducted mortar attack in the vicinity of Novotroitske in the Mariupol sector. “The enemy used armored personnel carrier in this area too. Small arms, grenade launchers and APC weapons were used in Starohnativka and in southern area. Snipers are actively attacking,” said Col. Motuzyanyk. Militants conducted 32 attacks in the Mariupol sector yesterday, and used heavy weapons once.

Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in combat during the last 24 hours. It happened in a militants’ attack at Butovka coal mine positions. “Seven soldiers were wounded as a result of a truck running over an unidentified explosive device. The incident happened in the vicinity of Lebedynske. Moreover, an officer of State Emergency Service, who was severely injured in Avdiivka on February 2 died in hospital,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.

Police officers found a Russian unmanned aerial vehicle in Avdiivka yesterday. “It was not taken down but fell on its own due to equipment failure. The drone was given to experts from the Security Service of Ukraine who will study its characteristics and information on its memory card,” stated Col. Motuzyanyk.

Report on the military developments as of February 20 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.