Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire 39 times in ATO zone yesterday, reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Ukrainian troops returned fire 20 times using weapons not proscribed under the Minsk agreements.
In Luhansk sector, militants violated the ceasefire 28 times. The most powerful attacks took place in Troitske, Krymske, and Luhanske areas and continued almost 24/7. At night, Russian proxies fired six 120-mm mortar rounds on Ukrainian positions near Luhanske. In the afternoon, they attacked Ukrianian positions near Troitske with 120-mm mortars and mounted weapons of an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). “In the evening, Russia-backed militants resumed shelling in Luhanske area using 82-mm mortars. After 17:00, they switched to the outskirts of Troitske, firing four 120-mm mortar rounds, and six more one hour later. In addition, the enemy used anti-aircraft guns and IFV mounted weapons. Meanwhile, in Popasna area they fired twelve 82-mm mortar rounds on Ukrainian positions,” elaborated the spokesman. Late at night, militants fired from 120-mm and 82-mm mortars against Ukrainian positions in Krymske and Luhanske.
In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire 11 times, using mortars, grenade launchers, and heavy machine guns. They used small arms in Avdiivka area and 82-mm mortars near Pisky and Shakhta Butovka in the afternoon. Moreover, militants sporadically violated the ceasefire in Vodiane and Talakivka area, using grenade launchers and IFV mounted weapons.
Fortunately, Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no casualties yesterday.
According to Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC), Russia-backed militants continue blocking the initiative to open a new crossing point in Zolote, Luhanks region. “Taking into account the pressing needs of civilians in Luhansk region, Ukrainian side of the JCCC suggested opening the crossing point in Zolote. However, the leaders of the areas of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government again blocked the initiative and refuse to open the crossing point even temporarily. In contrary, they suggest that civilians use the crossing point in Izvaryne, not controlled by Ukrainian side. To use it, people would have to travel additional 250 kilometers,” reads the statement of the Ukrainian side of JCCC.
Report on the military developments as of December 9 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
