Russia-backed militants conducted a total of 24 precision attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions in eastern Ukraine yesterday, largely using mortars, tanks, and heavy artillery. In contrast to the previous days, the majority of the attacks took place in Donetsk sector. Ukrainian troops returned fire 19 times, reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
In Donetsk sector, Russian proxies violated the ceasefire 18 times. Russia-backed militants had been attacking Ukrainian positions near Talakivka and Vodiane for two hours using IFV mounted weapons, grenade launchers, and 122-mm artillery having fired a total of 15 artillery rounds. Moreover, the enemy discharged several 120-mm mortar rounds near Vodiane, Opytne, and Pavlopil. They also used 82-mm mortars in Pavlopil and Shyrokyne areas. In Shyrokyne four hostile mortar rounds hit the residential area. No civilian casualties were reported.
In Shakhta Butovka area, Russia-backed militants used grenade launchers, small arms, and 82-mm mortars in the first half of the day. “Later, militants reinforced their attacks with a tank having used it eight times by the evening,” Colonel Motuzyanyk added. Ukrainian troops returned fire using weapons not proscribed under the Minsk agreements.
In Luhansk sector, Russian proxies violated the ceasefire six times. “Late in the evening the enemy shelled Ukrainian strongholds near Vrubivka with 152-mm artillery firing a total of six large-caliber rounds,” the ATO spokesperson elaborated. Russia-backed militants also attacked Ukrainian positions near Novooleksandrivka, Zolote, and Krymske with 82-mm mortars, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops returned fire three times.
Fortunately, Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no casualties yesterday.
Report on the military developments as of December 12 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
