The situation drastically escalated in Novyi Aidar and Popasna districts of Luhansk sector. Militants used heavy weapons in 19 of yesterday’s 20 attacks in the sector, reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. “The enemy resumed tactics of heavy armor warfare in the key frontline areas. Main hostilities took place after 18:00. Militants fired about 260 82-mm and 120-mm mortar rounds and 122-mm and 152-mm artillery projectiles at Krymske, Katerynivka, Novooleksandrivka, Novozvanivka and Troitske,” he said. Russian proxies were shooting both from frontline positions and prearranged spots in densely populated residential quarters of towns of Central Luhansk agglomerate, including Almazna city. A school, several residential buildings and power transmission line were damaged in Popasna and the adjacent Troitske, and a private vehicle was burned. In Stanytsia Luhanska district the ceasefire held.
In Donetsk sector the situation was the most restless at Svitlodarsk area adjacent to Popanska district, in Vekhniotoretske, and near Avdiivka. “Russian proxies were actively using 82-mm mortars and 122-mm cannons in this area. Moreover, they conducted armed provocations in Zaitseve, Maiorsk, Opytne, and Pisky,” said Col. Lysenko. Militants violated the ceasefire 21 times, in 13 of the incidents they used heavy weapons.
In Mariupol sector, Russian proxies conducted two mortar attacks in Krasnohorivka, and violated the ceasefire once in Novoselivka Druha. The situation remains unchanged in Pavlopil – Shyrokyne frontline. “Hostile provocations continue day and night here; the largest number of attacks takes place in Vodiane. Militants were not using heavy weapons, but opened fire from armor,” added the spokesman. A total of 24 enemy ceasefire violations were recorded in Mariupol sector yesterday.
Thankfully, Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no casualties yesterday.
Report on the military developments as of May 7 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
