Five Ukrainian servicemen were killed, eight wounded and one taken prisoner in the ATO zone yesterday. “One serviceman was killed by an enemy sniper near Novhorodske, three were killed in the firefight near Krasnohorivka, and another one in the shelling of Shakhta Butovka position. Eight troops were wounded in action,” informed Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Andriy Lysenko at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
In Mariupol sector militants started an intense hour-long attack at Ukrainian troops’ positions near Krasnohorivka using various mortars and 122-mm artillery around 01:30. “Two subversive reconnaissance groups of 15-20 people supported by artillery and mortar fire and four tanks attacked our frontline position around 04:00. Having detected the hostile team, Ukrainian troops responded with fire. The enemy faced massive fire and was compelled to retreat,” informed Col. Lysenko. At the same time, Russian proxies opened fire from tanks, mortars and Grad-P rocket launchers to cover their retreat. The density of hostile fire from heavy armor somewhat reduced by 06:00. A medical evacuation team arrived to extract casualties. One mortar round exploded next to a medical vehicle.
According to the preliminary information, six militants were killed and eight more wounded during the engagement.
In Luhansk sector militants attacked Ukrainian positions near Zhovte, Triokhizbenka, Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka with grenade launchers and small arms during the night. Russian proxies resumed attacks around 13:00. The enemy conducted four attacks on Krymske, using mortars in three of them. Ukrainian troops recorded a total of 13 hostile attacks in Luhansk sector yesterday.
In Donetsk sector hostilities continued around the clock. “After 02:00 militants conducted a medium intensity mortar attack at Nevelske. The enemy was shooting from light weapons in Luhanske, Novhorodske and near Avdiivka during the night,” said Col. Lysenko. Russian proxies mortar shelled Avdiivka four times between 18:00 and 23:00, firing about 50 rounds. Militants also employed mortars in their attack on Shakhta Butovka position. Ukrainian troops actively returned fire. Militants conducted a total of 13 ceasefire violation in this sector, used mortars in six cases.
Report on the military developments as of July 20 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
