Ministry of Defense: Russia-backed militants make 52 attacks, mostly in Donetsk sector

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Over the last day, Russian proxies delivered 52 precision attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions, some of the incidents involved 120-mm mortars. Ukrainian troops returned fire in 30 cases. “Three Ukrainian troops were wounded in action, two more servicemen received combat injuries,” reported Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman Colonel Maksym Prauta at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In Luhansk sector, Ukrainian troops recorded three hostile attacks. In Zaitseve area militants fired six 120-mm mortar rounds and used heavy machine guns and anti-tank rifles. “Russia-backed militants were also attacking Ukrainian strongholds near Zolote with 82-mm mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms for over two hours,” Colonel Prauta added.

In Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants opened fire 49 times. “Militants were most active in Avdiivka, Maryinka, and Shakhta Butovka areas,” the Ministry of Defense spokesperson said. Militants also fired 19 rounds from 120-mm mortars outside Novotroitske and Lebedynske and used 82-mm mortars near Verkhniotoretske, Krasnohorivka, Lebedynske, Pisky, and Shakhta Butovka.

“Ukrainian troops’ strongholds in Avdiivka, Verkhniotoretske, Vodiane, Kamianka, Krasnohorivka, Lomakyne, Maryinka, Lebedynske, Nevelske, Novomykhailivka, Novotroiske, Opytne, Pisky, Pishchevyk, Talakivka, Shyrokyne and Shakhta Butovka areas also came under fire of hostile small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and IFV mounted weapons,” Colonel Prauta elaborated.

Starting from midnight on April 27, Russia-backed militants have made 13 precision attacks, 12 of these in Donetsk sector. Militants were mostly using grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. Moreover, they fired 17 rounds from 120-mm mortars near Lebedynske and Svitlodarsk.

Report on the military developments as of April 26 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.