Kyiv, 4 February 2015 – Servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are assisting in the evacuation of civilians from the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone. This was stated by Anatoliy Stelmakh, the spokesman for the ATO Staff via Skype at a briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Many local people are requesting Ukrainian servicemen for help. “The evacuation of civilians is conducted reguarly,” noted the ATO spokesman The Ukrainian Armed Forces are actively taking part in the process and are helping the people.”
Over the night from 3 to 4 February, Russian-backed militants fired 25 times at Ukrainian military positions. The highest number of incidents was observed at the cease fire line in Luhansk region. Russian-backed militants keep firing both at the Ukrainian military positions and at residential neighborhoods with artillery, BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher systems, grenade launchers and mortars. The towns and localities of Shchastia, Stary Aidar, Stanychno-Luhanske, Verkhnya Olkhovka and Nyzhne, reportedly came under fire by militants.
Russian troops and their proxies continue in their attempts to break through Ukrainian positions in Debaltseve. From 22:50 to almost 3:00 there were skirmishes in the area of Debaltseve. Pro-Russian militants tried to take over Ukrainian positions using infantry units. “Over the night militants attacked Ukrainian Armed Forces nine times with all types of weapons,” stated the spokesperson.
Over the past twenty-four hours, militants fired 78 times at the ATO forces’ positions. “Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action and eighteen were wounded,” added Vladyslav Seleznyov, theacting spokesman for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
