Kyiv, August 1, 2014 – This morning on the road between Maloyekaterinovka (Russia) and Shevchenko (Ukraine), within 1 kilometer of the state border on Russian territory, the position of the tactical surface-to-air “Osa” missile system was discovered. “The complex is used to provide cover for the manpower and equipment of motorized infantry or dank divisions in all types of combat. Depending on the modification, the “Osa” complex carried between 4 and 6 radio-controlled missiles. The range is 9 kilometers, the speed of flight – up to 420 kph,” stated spokesman of the NSDC information center colonel Andriy Lysenko during a press briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
US Vice-President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime-Minister Shinzō Abe discussed new sanction on Thursday, July 31, which Japan, the US and EU countries have imposed on Russia in light of the conflict in the east of Ukraine.
“The US Vice-President approved of the sanctions Japan imposed against Russia. The parties agreed on the importance of continued coordination of efforts of G7 member countries to put pressure on Russia to stop its actions aimed to destabilize Ukraine,” said Lysenko.
Until midnight on July 31 the ATO troops, in contrast to the terrorists, adhered to the conditions of the “Day of Ceasefire” and did not engage in active combat. At night, preparations to continue the active phase of the ATO were made. The Ukrainian troops provided for the execution of the operation along the state border with Russia. Individual divisions of the army which defended the borderline regions and fell under fire from the Russian Federation retreated to safe areas.
Throughout the day, the terrorists opened fire at ATO positions and roadblocks several times. “Artillery and tank fire at Ukrainian Armed Forces troops was opened near Chervonopartyzansk. Twice, by mine launchers and tanks, Ukrainian positions near Amvrosiyivka were attacked, and mine launchers were used against our servicemen near the locality of Zelene in Amvrosiyivka district of Donetsk oblast,” noted the NSDC spokesman.
In Donetsk oblate the Ukrainian servicemen managed to down a Russian unmanned aircraft “Orlan-10,” which was doing intelligence work to determine the bases of ATO troops.
The situation at the Ukraine-Russia border remains tense. This morning, combat lasted for three hours near Chervonopartyzansk of Luhansk oblast. “The terrorists used sniper weaponry, mine launchers and tanks. The Russian opened fire at our border service points twice. At 1:30 p.m. “Dovzhansky” checkpoint fell under artillery fire from Russian territory. Approximately at the same time, artillery fire of the Ukrainian checkpoint “Uspenka” was opened from the locality of Marfinka in the Russian Federation,” notified Andriy Lysenko.
In Shakhtarsk of Donetsk oblast the mercenaries are preparing a possible attack on ATO forces. Additional military equipment and groups of mercenaries are arriving in the city. The terrorists are planning to mine all the roads to the city, the main highways and strategic objects. “Near the village of Yakovlivka near Donetsk, the mercenaries set up a new roadblock. Near the village of Mineralne in Yasynuvate district, close to the mine, the mercenaries set up “Grad” systems which they used to fire at Donetsk airport and ATO bases located near Avdiyivka,” said colonel Lysenko.
Ukrainian combat engineers diffused about 50 kilograms of plastic explosives, which had been left under the bridge near the village of Luhanske in Donetsk oblast. “The specialists note the professionalism of the charge. They emphasize that such mining could have only been done by well-prepared saboteurs, who have trained to do this for several years. The combat engineers also diffused twenty-seven 122-mm mines. This ammunition was left behind by the mercenaries during their retreat from ATO troops,” explained Andriy Lysenko.
The total number of Ukrainian citizens who migrated from the ATO region to other regions constitutes 62 thousand 394 people, including almost 22 thousand children. During the last 24 hours, 2 210 people left behind the territories temporarily under terrorist control including 746 children. Overall throughout the month of July, according to the claims of regional headquarters and transit points, train transportation has been provided to 2036 people, including 872 children. Only in the last 24 hours, 125 people left the dangerous territory, including 24 children.
