Number and intensity of attacks involving heavy armor increased in Donetsk sector, especially in the area of Kamianka-Avdiivka-Shakhta Butovka, where armed provocations started at 03:00 and continued until 23:00. “Russia-backed troops used 122-mm artillery, various mortars, and tanks, firing a total of 170 rounds. Residential quarters in southern part of Avdiivka came under militants’ fire. Hostile shells damaged three residential buildings and killed a pet dog,” said Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman on ATO Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Militants used mortars in two nighttime provocations in Verkhniotoretske and Travneve. Moreover, they shelled UAF rear area, namely Kodema located 5 km from the demarcation line, with 122-mm artillery. In total, militants violated the ceasefire 18 times in Donetsk sector yesterday, using heavy weapons 14 times.
In Mariupol sector, Russian proxies attacked 21 times, using mortars in five incidents. Hostilities took place in Pavlopil-Shyrokyne frontline, in Maryinka district and in northern part of Volnovakha district. “Militants conducted three mortar attacks in Pavlopil and two at Krasnohorivka. Several shells hit local school. Luckily, there were no children or teachers inside,” elaborated the spokesman.
In Luhansk sector militants conducted 13 ceasefire violations, using mortars five times. They were attacking Krymske from five various directions during the night till 08:00, three of these attacks involved 82-mm and 120-mm mortars. The ceasefire held during the day in all areas, but after 18:00 militants attacked Lobacheve, Novozvanivka and Troitske with small arms and shelled Novooleksandrivka with mortars.
Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no fatalities yesterday, but five servicemen were wounded.
Report on the military developments as of May 17 is available here. Interactive data on the shelling: chronology shelling chart and the interactive map.
