{"id":71124,"date":"2017-04-18T16:20:47","date_gmt":"2017-04-18T16:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uacrisis.org\/?p=55331"},"modified":"2017-04-18T16:20:47","modified_gmt":"2017-04-18T13:20:47","slug":"55331-militants-combat-activity-remained-level-share-heavy-weapons-use-increased-44-percent-defense-ministry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uacrisis.org\/en\/55331-militants-combat-activity-remained-level-share-heavy-weapons-use-increased-44-percent-defense-ministry","title":{"rendered":"Militants combat activity remained on the same level, while the share of heavy weapons use increased by 44 percent \u2013 Defense Ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"

The number of ceasefire violations ranged between 22 on April 16 and 65 on April 13.<\/em><\/p>\n

The overall combat situation at the front line remains tense. Despite new Eastertime “agreement” on a cease-fire, the enemy continued shelling positions of Ukrainian defenders with heavy weapons. \u201cCompared to the preceding week, enemy combat activity remained on the same level, while the share of heavy weapons use increased by 44 percent\u201d, stated Vilyen Pidgornyy, Ministry of Defense spokesperson during\u00a0a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.<\/p>\n

Luhansk sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

Combat situation in the sector slightly deteriorated.\u00a0 Last week, there were 9 incidents of enemy mortar fire compared to two mortar attacks during the preceding week. \u201cMilitants opened fire with small arms and grenade launchers at positions of Ukrainian Armed Forces, predominantly in Stanytsia Luhanska, Krymske and Popasna area\u201d, Mr.Pidgornyy said. The daily amount of cease-fire violations by the enemy ranged between 2 (on April 15) and 7 (on April 12).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Donetsk sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week, militants used mortars multiple times on a daily basis. The tensest situation was registered in Avdiivka area. On April 13 and 14 the pro-Russian militants opened complex fire at positions of Ukrainian Armed Forces there, having discharged more than 25 mortar rounds each time. On weekends, Russian proxies reduced its fire activity and, as a result, there were no incidents of enemy mortar use. The daily fire activity of the enemy ranged between 6 (on April 16) and 27 (on April 10) cease-fire violations.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mariupol sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week, militants actively opened fire with small arms, grenade launchers, mortars and artillery both in the northern and southern parts of the sector. \u201cOn April 10, in violation of all reached agreements, militants opened fire with 122 mm artillery at Novotroitske and Vodiane. On April 13, militants used 122 mm artillery in Vodiane once again. Throughout the whole week, Russian proxies actively opened fire with weapons installed on IFVs against positions of Ukrainian Army\u201d, MoD spokesperson stated. On April 11, enemy sniper groups actively engaged Ukrainian defenders at Novotroitske, Krasnohorivka, and Maryinka and on April 13 \u2013 \u00a0on southern defense lines. The daily amount of cease-fire violations by the enemy ranged between 13 (on April 16) and 43 (on April 13).<\/p>\n

Over the week, Ukrainian troops registered 8 episodes of hostile drones conducting aerial reconnaissance. All episodes took place in the Donetsk sector.<\/p>\n

Casualties<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last week, 1 Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and 20 servicemen were wounded in action.\u00a0 One civilian man was wounded in the war zone last week. The incident happened in Maryinka.<\/p>\n

Damage to civilian infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n

8 residential buildings were damaged in Verkhniotoretske and Avdiivka in the Donetsk sector, Maryinka and Novotroitske in the Mariupol sector due to enemy fire. \u201cRussian proxies shelled and ruined 3 non-residential buildings in Novoluhanske, Avdiivka and Maryinka. In addition, a section of railway track between Shypilove and Sentyanivka stations in Luhansk sector was damaged by enemy fire\u201d, Mr. Pidgornyy said.<\/p>\n

Humanitarian aid<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ukrainian authorities arranged for access and safe passage of 23 trucks with humanitarian aid for civilians living in the occupied territory of eastern Ukraine. The aid was provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Representative in Ukraine. The trucks carried approximately 370 tons of food, construction materials and personal hygiene products.<\/p>\n