Kyiv, March 4, 2015 – “Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to reinforce the defense lines and are getting ready for the second stage of artillery withdrawal stipulated by Minsk agreements,” said Anatoliy Stelmakh, ATO Staff spokesman, via Skype at a briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Pro-Russian militants are generally complying with the ceasefire; however, there are still some isolated attacks from small arms. “Militants attacked Opytne, Pisky and Berezove at the Donetsk direction from 6pm, March 3, until 6am, March 4,” noted the ATO Staff spokesman.
The Russia-backed insurgents also shelled Avdiivka from the artillery at around midnight, as well as fired mortared Vodyane. The town Shchastya, Luhansk region, came under fire form grenade launchers and small arms as well. Moreover, insurgent sniper has been active near Lebedynske outside of Mariupol. “Ukrainian servicemen spotted an enemy UAV flying over Krasnovka and Znamenivka towns,” added Anatoliy Stelmakh. Overall, insurgents attacked the Ukrainian positions 12 times from 6pm, March 3, until the morning of March 4.
