Kyiv, February 18, 2015 – Fierce military clashes between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian militants are ongoing. Yesterday having blatantly violated peace agreements Russian regulars and militant groups have blatantly violated ceasefire and conducted a massive artillery shelling of Debaltseve and started to storm the city. “Ukrainian Armed Forces regrouped and kept their positions. They are engaged in the military operation right now,” informed Anatoliy Stelmakh, ATO Staff spokesman, via Skype at a briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center.
Russian-backed Insurgents shelled the city 5 times with Grad and the artillery over the last day. Moreover, subversive-reconnaissance militant groups broke into the city, destroying the local infrastructure. “Militants exploded Railway connections as well as several access routes, power supply lines were damaged too,” added the ATO Staff spokesman. Increasing numbers of militants were spotted at the Donetsk direction as well. Militants used Grad multiple rocket launchers, mortars and the artillery to attack Vodyane, Pisky and Avdiivka and other towns. Pro-Russian insurgents shelled Novotoshkivske (Luhansk region) with the artillery and Grad multiple rocket launcgers.
At the Mariupol direction, Ukrainian Armed Forces positions were stormed several times near Shyrokyne.
