The situation escalated in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine. “As of 09:00 today, April 20, after midnight Russia-backed militants have already made eight precision attacks. They attacked Ukrainian troops’ positions with Grad MLRS and fired thirty 122-mm artillery rounds as well as about 30 mortar rounds of 82-mm and 120-mm caliber. In Luhansk sector, Russia-backed militants fired nine122-mm artillery rounds outside Popasna and used IFV mounted weapons in Krymske area. In Donetsk sector, starting from 05:50, Russian proxies launched 40 rockets from Grad MLRS and fired six 82-mm mortar rounds as well as were actively using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns outside Lebedynske. Near Shyrokyne militants discharged twenty 122-mm artillery shells upon the Ukrainian troops’ positions. They also used 120-mm mortars near Shyrokyne, Novotroitske, and Vodiane. All these attacks resulted in one Ukrainian serviceman killed and one more wounded in action,” reported Ministry of Defense spokesman Colonel Dmytro Hutsulyak at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
“Speaking of April 19, Russia-backed militants committed 35 ceasefire violations having fired about 30 mortar rounds of 82-mm and 120-mm caliber. Ukrainian troops returned fire 19 times,” Colonel Hutsulyak said.
In Luhansk sector, militants made three precision attacks. Near Stanytsia Luhanska Russian proxies used mounted grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops’ positions near Travneve came under grenade fire, militants also used grenade launchers and small arms near Artem.
In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants made a total of 32 attacks. In Pisky and Opytne areas militants fired ten 120-mm mortar rounds. Moreover, they used 82-mm mortars in Avdiivka area and outside Pisky (three times). They also used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms in Hnutove, Vodiane, Avdiivka, Mariinka, Kamianka, Lebedynske, Pisky, Pishchevyk, and Shakhta Butovka areas.
Unfortunately, two Ukrainian troops were wounded in action yesterday.
Report on the military developments as of April 19 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
