Latest news on the war against Russia (official)

Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 04.04
06.04.2016 - 16:15

Operational data from Information Resistance:
During the past weekend (04.02–0.4.03.2016), the most intense situation in the ATO zone persisted in the vicinity of Avdiivka.

In this area, militants opened fire repeatedly from 120 mm mortars from positions near Yasynuvata junction and north of Lenina Street (Mineralne settlement), as well as from “Vasilek” 2B9 82 mm automatic grenade launchers, from positions in the vegetation beyond the motorway near Yasynuvata-2 station. Five “Akatsiya” 2S3 self-propelled 152 mm guns were identified on positions in the western outskirts of Yakovlivka (north of the slag heaps), but did not open fire. East of “Gospodar” market, four terrorist tanks were spotted on camouflaged positions; three more, as before, are operating south of Yasynuvata junction.


Avdiivka. House hit from militant shelling, April 1, 2016. Photo: TV Channel Ukraine



In the Avdiivka area, the enemy also continues actively using small infantry groups and DRGs in an attempt to push the ATO forces’ units further east and northeast of the “industrial zone.” Usually, these groups operate under cover of dense fire from heavy machine guns, AGS-17’s and “Kopye” SPG-9M [grenade launchers].

Militants fired on the [ATO] strongholds and observation points south and southeast of Mayorsk and near Zaitseve “traditionally”: using machine guns and stand-mounted grenade launchers. In the vicinity of Novotroitsk, terrorists deploy heavy machine guns and AGS-17’s – namely, an advanced stronghold of the ATO forces was shelled from positions south of Tsentralnyy Karyer [Central Quarry]. Several small groups of militants were also spotted on the move in the same area, reconnoitering mine barriers.

In the coastal areas, militants used 120 mm mortars: a number of observation points and strongholds of Ukrainian troops north of Shyrokyne, near Vodyane, Hnutove, and Pavlopil were shelled from positions northeast of Sakhanka and south of Oktyabr.

Persistent rumors are circulating among a number of militant units stationed in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk (in the area of Mar’inka), according to which the Ukrainian side is using extremely highly-trained “NATO snipers” (from the USA, Germany, and the Baltic countries) who are purposefully hunting down militant snipers and commanders. [The rumors] even mention call-signs of terrorists allegedly destroyed by these foreign “super-snipers” (including, for example, the deputy battalion commander of the “Oplot” gang, call-sign “Svaya,” who, in reality, has been destroyed).

The “secret” reports of the “1st AC of the DNR” mention that “Ukrainian combat aviation resumed flights” in areas directly adjacent to the demarcation line. The same information is being actively circulated through the militant ranks within the “1st AC.”

The “hunt for Ukrainian spies” continues in Makiivka. Employees of the “DNR Ministry of State Security” are actively searching for some “miniature electronic devices used to direct artillery and mortar fire,” which, allegedly, local residents hired by Ukrainian special services are setting up near terrorists’ military objects. A number of civilians were arrested on these charges. In one of those cases, the “evidence” presented by the employees of the “DNR Ministry of State Security” was a simple Soviet-made bicycle bell.


Russian militant from the 3rd OMSBR with MANPADS in Horlivka, March 31, 2016. Photo: @GirkinGirkin



Militants once again “discovered” some “mass grave of the Ukrainian enforcers” near Debaltseve. A whole number of “DNR’s information and propaganda” structures were instructed to “videotape the exhumation.” Hasty preparations are underway to deliver unidentified bodies to the “exhumation” site and prepare camera crews for the “video op.”

In Dokuchajevsk, rumors are being circulated among “DNR” militants and local residents that Ukrainian Armed Forces are carrying out an operation to encircle the city, and that the “DNR” command plans to abandon it. Panic erupted in the city as a result. Large numbers of employees of “DNR law enforcement bodies” are writing requests to be transferred to other towns. The Dokuchajevsk “militant commandant’s office” received an order to put up posters with calls to curb the panic – however, they only serve to increase the panic mood further.

Luhansk “media” are actively spreading false information about the shelling of “LNR” militant positions near Pervomaisk by Ukrainian troops with the use of a “Grad” BM-21 122 mm MLRS, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of several militants and local residents. Terrorists are actively spreading rumors among civilians living near the demarcation line that such shellings will be repeated, being “ukrop’s revenge” to local residents for refusing to leave the occupied territory. According to the militants’ version, it was the threat of such shellings that caused them to close the “Zolote” checkpoint. In reality, there have been no such shellings, and no competent reasons for closing the checkpoint in question. At the same time, militants are actively laying landmines in this area.

The “LNR” leadership is embezzling humanitarian aid received from the Russian Federation by daily writing off a significant amount of food products received by the “Pokoleniye” public catering organization. This organization, created by order of Ihor Plotnitsky, the “head of the LNR,” specializes in supplying free food to preschool facilities, schools, and hospitals. “Pokoleniye” receives over UAH 100,000 [USD 3,800] of underhand profits daily, just from the fraud with school lunches.

Motuzyanyk: One Ukrainian Soldier Wounded Near Avdiivka
07.04 12:51


Yesterday, on April 6, one Ukrainian soldier suffered injuries as a result of mortar shelling near Avdiivka, Donetsk region.
This was reported today, on April 7, by Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, Presidential Administration spokesperson on ATO related issues.
In Luhansk sector, militants were firing with grenade launchers and AA mount near Popasna.
Intensive mortar and artillery attacks were recorded near Zaitseve, Novhorodske, Avdiivka and the Donetsk airport (Donetsk sector).
Over the past 24 hours, militants have launched over 100 mortar mines and several artillery shells in Donetsk sector.
Several armored vehicles were noticed near Svitlodarsk.
In Mariupol sector, several mortar shellings were recorded in Krasnohorivka and Shyrokyne. The largest number of enemy provocations took place in Marinka. Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in response several times.

Lysenko: One Ukrainian Soldier Killed In ATO Zone, 12 Injured
08.04 12:41


Yesterday, on April 7, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and 12 soldiers were wounded as a result of military hostilities in the ATO zone.
This was reported today, on April 8, by Col. Andriy Lysenko, Presidential Administration spokesperson on ATO related issues.
In Luhansk sector, militants breached the ceasefire near Stanytsia Luhanska, Triohizbenka and in the outskirts of Popasna.
In Donetsk sector, fire intensity has increased along the whole demarcation line. As before, the situation remains especially tense in Avdiivka, where hostilities continue without interruption. Militants continue their attempts to capture local industrial zone. To repel enemy attacks, Ukrainian soldiers open fire in response.
Militants continue shelling Ukrainian positions in the outskirts of Horlivka and near the Donetsk airport with mortars and IFV.
In Mariupol sector, enemy attacks started in the evening. Several sniper attacks took place in Marinka. Positions of Ukrainian troops in Novotroitske were two times shelled with SP artillery platform Gvozdika. Three mortar shellings were recorded in Pavlopol.

Five Ukrainian Soldiers Suffered Injuries In ATO Zone, – Lysenko
09.04 12:58


Over the past 24 hours, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed as a result of military hostilities in the ATO zone. Five Ukrainian soldiers suffered injuries: four of them – near Avdiivka, one – near the Donetsk airport.
This was reported today, on April 9, by Col. Andriy Lysenko, Presidential Administration spokesperson on ATO related issues.
As before, Avdiivka remains the epicenter of military hostilities in Donetsk sector. Almost a half of all the enemy attacks in Donetsk sector took place in the industrial zone of this town. Over the past 24 hours, over 50 mortar mines have been launched in the area. Besides, intensity of sniper attacks increased in the evening. At nearly midnight, local positions of Ukrainian soldiers were shelled with 122-mm SP artillery platforms Gvozdika. As a result of the shelling, an old woman died, two private houses were damaged. To protect lives of local civilians, Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in response.
The situation near Svitlodarsk remains tense as well. Shellings in outskirts of Horlivka and near the Donetsk airport continue. Sniper attack was recorded near Pisky.
In Mariupol sector, artillery attack took place near the Pavlopil water reservoir (over 10 shells launched). A series of enemy provocations were recorded in Shyrokyne, Hnutove, and Novotroitske. Intensive snipers attacks were fixed in Avdiivka. Overall, militants carried out 15 attacks (most of them – aimed) against Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol sector over the past 24 hours.



Russia Blocks Expansion Of Mandate Of OSCE SMM On Ukrainian-Russian Border, – MFA
09.04 10:15

Ukraine is concerned with Russia's attempts to block the expansion of mandate of the OSCE SMM on the whole length of Ukrainian-Russian border, temporarily uncontrolled by Ukrainian government.
This was written in a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
According to the statement, these attempts once again prove Russia’s reluctance to fulfill its obligations in accordance to the Minsk Agreements. Under the Agreements, the OSCE monitors are supposed to have an access to the whole length of Ukrainian-Russian border.
At the moment, OSCE monitors are only given access to ‘Hukovo’ and ‘Donetsk’ checkpoints. Even within conditions of so limited access, the monitors confirm the fact that lots of trucks continue to arrive from Russia to Donbas, as well as the fact that Ukrainian coal is being illegally transferred to Russia.
“OSCE reports may be treated as documentary evidence proving that the Russian Federation violates sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. For this reason, we welcome attempts of other delegations to the Permanent Council of OSCE aimed at expansion of mandate of the Mission until Jul 31, 2016” MFA states.

One Ukrainian Serviceman Killed And Two Wounded In ATO Zone, – Lysenko
11.05 12:39
Yesterday, May 10, due to the undermining of explosive devices, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, three others were injured.
The spokesman of the Presidential Administration for ATO issues Colonel Andrii Lysenko reported this today, May 11.
According to him, in Luhanskdirection, militants shelled Shchastia. In Donetsk direction, they violated the ceasefire regime four times in Luhanske and Avdiivka. The bombardment was powerful enough, militants even used IFV once.
In Mariupol direction, illegal armed formations, fired at the positions of the ATO forces six times, using snipers and infantry fighting vehicles. Provocations took place along almost the entire front line – in Marinka, near Dokuchaievsk and Starohnativka.



Russia Sent Putin’s National Guardsmen to Debaltseve To Detain Deserters Among Militants
11.05 13:17
Defence Intelligence reported the arrival of about 70 Russian National Guardsmen in Debaltseve (Donetsk region) to counter cases of desertions within the occupation troops.
This is stated on the website of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry.
“Arrival of a unit of the Russian National Guards (about 70 servicemen) to Debaltseve was recorded. Above-mentioned unit is not subordinate to the commander of the 7th separate motorized rifle brigade (Debaltseve) of the 2nd AC (Luhansk) Russian Armed Forces Colonel O.BUSHUIEV and assigned for counteracting the cases of desertion by the Russian Armed Forces servicemen, in a case of resumption of warfare”, – Intelligence noted.
In addition, in the area of industrial zone of Avdiivka, Intelligence found out the deployment of the units of the 1st motorized rifle battalion of the 11th separate motorized rifle regiment (Makiivka) of the 1st AC (Donetsk) of the Russian Armed Forces at the frontline and an active involvement of the SRGs.

Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 05.05
10.05.2016 - 12:15

Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas increased the number of their attacks, using predominantly small arms and heavy machine guns, stand-mounted grenade launchers in several instances, as well as mortars (82 mm mortars in one instance, 120 mm mortars in another). Most of the terrorist attacks and provocations took place in the coastal regions, in the vicinity of the Donetsk International Airport, an area south of Avdiivka, and areas on the Mar’inka – Krasnohorivka and Dokuchajevsk – Novotroitske stretch.

In addition to shellings, militants are conducting active reconnaissance of the ATO forces’ combat lines, regrouping their forces and equipment in a number of areas, and actively improving their combat positions at the front as well as behind the lines. Radio reconnaissance by terrorists has increased in several areas at once – south of Donetsk(from Olenivka to Hranitne), north of Luhansk (the area of Stanytsia Luhanskaand Shchastia), and in the Horlivka “corner” (virtually the entire Svitlodarsk arch and areas north of Yasynuvata).


The troops of Russia’s 45th Guards Detached Spetsnaz (Reconnaissance) Brigade seen near Mariupol. Source.

In the area of Avdiivka, militants used small arms from Yasynuvata junction, firingin the direction of the “industrial zone” and further north in the direction of the forest-park area. Intense small arms shellings were observed in the area of Opytne and between Opytne and Vodyane; enemy infantry groups were also detected from the direction of Vesele and the Donetsk International Airport; several rounds from an SPG-9 antitank gun came from the western outskirts of Spartak. In the vicinity of Novotroitske, the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds came under fire repeatedly, in the area of Berezove and southeast of Novotroitske (small arms and AGS-17’s). Near Shyrokyne, two mortar attacks came from the direction of Sakhanka (a militant mobile fire squad that uses automatic 82 mm 2B9 “Vasilek” mortars) shelling the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds east of Hnutove. Southwest of Luhanske, the front line was shelled from RPGs and heavy machine guns, while militant snipers and machine guns were deployed in the area of Rozsadky.

Terrorist units totaling about 300 militants (three companies from unit 08824 of the “DNR 1st Army Corps”) were relocated from positions in the “industrial zone” near Avdiivka and Yasynuvata junction to the area of Panteleymonivka, Donetsk Oblast. Militants are accumulating forces and equipment in the vicinity of this settlement. Rumors are circulating among the militants that the Russian-terrorist troop command are preparing a strike from the vicinity of Panteleymonivka towards Verkhnotoretske, Yasynuvata district. Presently, sources in the command of the “DNR 1st AC” could not confirm these rumors.

At the same time, militants transferred eight MT-12 “Rapira” anti-tank guns to the vicinity of the Donetsk International Airport and Trudovski estate. Some weapons were moved on trailers towed by Ural trucks, some, on MT-LB’s. In addition, militants continue reinforcing their units north of Donetsk. The firing positions of a 122 mm D-30A gun battery were identified at the eastern outskirts of Yasynuvata. Militants also unloaded four MT-LB’s (carrying “Shturm-C” anti-tank missile systems) and three tanks at the Yasynuvata railway station. A battery of six 2S3 “Acacia” 152 mm self-propelled guns was observed further south beyond Yakovlivka (this battery had been previously detected at these positions and was subsequently moved deeper behind militant lines).


Fighters of the Azov Battalion

After the “DNR Ministry of State Security” contributed to the panic about the impending arrival in Donetsk of the mythical SBU “liquidation teams” and special operation forces tasked with eliminating the “DNR” command, the “DNR” chieftain Alexander Zakharchenko signed an order to establish a personal guard regiment. The regiment will include the following military units: No. 08830 (headquarters), No. 08831 and No. 08832 (combat units). The “main combat unit” – No. 08832 with a staff of 860 militants – will be called the “Patriot Battalion.” The total headcount within the regiment is about 1,200 people.

The Russian command is currently deciding on “internship” sites at the forefront of the ATO zone for cadets of the Mikhaylovskaya Military Artillery Academy (St. Petersburg, Russia) who arrived in Donetsk a few days ago. At the moment, Russian academy cadets are housed on the territory of the Donetsk military lyceum, which is guarded by units of the regular Russian Armed Forces and Russian mercenaries from the “DNR’s 1st AC.” A technical support and artillery reconnaissance group arrived in Donetsk from Russia along with representatives of the Mikhaylovskaya Military Artillery Academy; among other equipment, the group is outfitted with specialized UAVs. The Russian “trainees” are tasked with practicing artillery fire control for various types of combat.

A garment factory in Donetsk (in the Tekstylschyk [“Textile worker”] district) received an order from the “DNR” to sew a large number of Ukrainian military uniforms with corresponding insignia. Part of the order, bearing the “Aidar” Battalion insignia, has already been completed and handed over to militants. The rest of the commissioned uniforms have the insignia of Ukrainian Armed Forces brigades (among identified insignia was written “Mykolayiv” and “79”, indicating the 79th Airmobile Brigade from Mykolayiv).

so it's heating up and they start useing Ukranian uniforms in order to make chaos...

Posted on Saturday, 14 May, 2016 - 12:27
The combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 20 times in the past 24 hours, according to the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO).
The hottest spot is still the demarcation line near the temporarily occupied city of Donetsk. The militants repeatedly opened fire from rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns, small arms and 82mm mortars on our positions near the town of Avdiyivka. The occupiers also fired rocket-propelled grenades on our fortified positions near the town of Maryinka. In addition, the enemy sniper was working there, the report says.
The situation was tense in the Mariupol sector. The Russian-backed illegal armed groups fired grenade launchers of various systems and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the villages of Shyrokyne and Hranitne. They also fired from infantry fighting vehicles twice on our positions near the village of Novohryhorivka.
In addition, during this period, the Ukrainian army recorded a reconnaissance overflight by an enemy drone. Moving from the territory of the Russian Federation, it crossed the state border of Ukraine and conducted aerial reconnaissance over the temporarily occupied territories.
According to the press-center, the enemy opened fire from infantry fighting vehicles at least twice on ATO forces near Novohryhorivka since the beginning of the day.

Posted on Saturday, 14 May, 2016 - 14:05
No Ukrainian soldiers were killed but seven were wounded in the Donbas conflict zone over the last 24 hours, presidential administration spokesman for the Anti-Terrorist Operation Colonel Andriy Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday, according to an UaPosition correspondent.
”Over the last day, we haven`t lost any Ukrainian soldiers, but seven were injured as a result of military clashes in the Donetsk sector,” he said.
According to Lysenko, five servicemen were injured as a result of militant attacks in the Avdiyivka industrial zone, while another two soldiers were injured in a booby-trap blast near the village of Novoselivka Druha.

geez,how they respect the cease-fire.....

15.05.16 11:03
Situation aggravates in Donetsk sector as terrorists intensively shell Ukrainian soldiers at Avdiivka, - ATO press center
The situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area remains tense. The militants opened fire at the strongholds of Ukrainian defenders for 16 times.



According to the report, Avdiivka remains the hottest spot as the situation in the Donetsk sector tends to aggravate. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka were massively shelled from small arms, grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns, as well as 82-mm and 120-mm mortars.
Terrorists' sniper aimed fire at Ukrainian troops' positions near Marinka. The militants also fired from grenade launchers there.
Ukrainian strongholds at Luhanske located at the Svitlodarsk reservoir were also fired from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and BMP weapons.
The illegal armed groups fired at the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from 82-mm mortars and grenade launchers.
Starting from midnight, the terrorists continue shelling Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka and Luhanske with grenade launchers and small arms.

Northern Raider said:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ove-hate-kitsch-fest-scheduled-watched-s.html

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The Russian victory Jamala called breakdown of the Minsk agreements
Ukrainian singer Jamala victory in "Eurovision - 2016" in Stockholm, Russian politicians have called politicized and disruption of the Minsk agreements. This on Facebook wrote the senator of the Russian Council of Federation Konstantin Kosachev.
In his opinion, Ukraine's victory can only be regarded as "Europe's defeat" and "Minsk process".
The head of the Duma's International Affairs Committee Alexei Pushkov said on his Twitter on the right of Russians to sing the "martyrs" of the Ukrainian city of Odessa.
To his colleagues joined the LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky - he also criticized Ukraine's victory.

Posted on Tuesday, 24 May, 2016 - 13:50 | 0 Comments

Seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and another nine were wounded in the Donbas conflict zone in the last 24 hours, Secretary of Ukraine`s National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov said on Tuesday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.
”In the last day, we lost seven Ukrainian soldiers, and another nine were wounded as a result of military clashes,” he said, stressing that it was the greatest number of losses over the past year.
”The military and political leadership of the Russian Federation is responsible for these bloody provocations as it systematically and consistently torpedoes the peaceful solution to the conflict and the liberation of the occupied territories,” Turchynov said.



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The combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 47 times in the past 24 hours, according to the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO).

”Yesterday night, the enemy intensively shelled our fortified positions near the town of Maryinka, using small arms, grenade launchers of various systems and 82mm mortars. The enemy sniper opened fire several times there. In the same sector, the militants fired 82mm and 120mm mortars on the defenders of the town of Krasnohorivka,” the report says.

The situation was tense near the town of Avdiyivka, where the militants continued firing mortars and grenade launchers on the Ukrainian positions.

”At the Horlivka-Svitlodarsk bridgehead, the enemy fired small arms and rocket-propelled grenades on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the villages of Zaitseve and Luhanske,” the report reads.

In the Mariupol sector, the illegal armed groups opened fire from heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, and from time to time, from anti-aircraft guns on ATO fortified positions near the villages of Shyrokyne, Berezove and Hnutove. They also fired 120mm mortars on the village of Lebedynske late evening.

In Lugansk region, the occupiers fired rocket-propelled grenades on the Ukrainian soldiers near the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska and Novozvanivka.

”The enemy does not leave attempts to conduct reconnaissance of ATO forces using drones. In the last day, the Ukrainian army recorded nine enemy unmanned aerial vehicles over its positions,” the press center said.

Since the beginning of the day, the Russian-backed mercenaries did not reduce their activity. They continued to fire mortars on the Ukrainian fortified positions near Maryinka and Krasnohorivka. In Luhansk region, the militants fired from infantry fighting vehicles heavy machine guns near Novozvanivka.

”In total, the militants used weapons nine times against Ukrainian soldiers from midnight,” the press center said.

Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 05.24
31.05.2016 - 12:12

Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue shelling Ukrainian troop positions and settlements. During the past 24 hours, terrorists used 82- and 120 mm mortars, as well as BMP-2 and BTR-80 armored vehicles in addition to small arms. The enemy continues to actively use UAVs for the reconnaissance of the tactical zone, and of parts of the operational-tactical zone.


Avdiivka, May 22, 2016. Photo: Hromadske Radio

Militant tactical groups operated in the vicinity of Avdiivka; sniper fire, heavy grenade launchers, and 82 mm mortars were used from positions near the bridge at the Yasynuvata Junction and south of the traffic police station. In the area of Mar’inka,militants used sniper groups and 82 mm mortars from their positions in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk. Militants deployed 120 mm mortars from positions north and west of the Oktyabr village, firing on the ATO forces’ strongholds and observation points in the vicinity of Pyshchevyk and Pavlopil. Terrorist strike groups (SPG-9M and ZU-23-2) fired heavily on the ATO forces’ positions near Berezove from positions north of Dokuchajevsk and near the settlement of Yasne. Active militant shellings from small arms and AGS-17’s were detected in the areas of Schastia, Sokilnyky, Trokhizbenka, Talakivka, and Shyrokyne.





Russian-terrorist forces are [currently] deploying an additional command center in the Svitlodarsk direction of operations (in the area of Kalynivka – Vuhlehirsk). The command center is advanced directly to the front line.

In the area of Slovyanoserbsk, we spotted a “roaming” militant mortar unit, using 2B9 automatic 82 mm mortars and at least two 120 mm mortars. This unit’s mortar detachments are highly trained.

Two 2S1 “Gvozdika” 122 mm self-propelled guns and four cargo trucks were observed moving through Yenakijeve to the southern direction of operations; four more self-propelled guns were transferred in the same direction, northwest of Makiivka. These self-propelled guns were a part of the artillery group that had previously shelled Avdiivka and its industrial zone.

Eight railway cars with ammunition and equipment arrived in Debaltseve from Russia, as well as six platforms with wheeled armored vehicles (APCs). The armored vehicles were unloaded with the help of ramps outside the station.

The “DNR” uses militant-controlled media and social networks to carry out another information campaign to discredit Ukrainian troops, alleging that confrontations between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and “right-wing, nationalist armed groups” representing “volunteer battalions” are observed in the ATO area. According to the disseminated information, at least 80 servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces died at the hands of “nationalists.” Moreover, undisclosed operational reports of the “DNR military intelligence” also contain this information, stating that “particularly violent confrontations are observed between Ukrainian airborne forces and nationalists.” Militant “military intelligence” and propagandists are not perturbed by the fact that the “volunteer battalions” which appear in their messages have long joined the Armed Forces and other Ukrainian armed groups.

Food products from Ukraine-controlled territories started appearing in stores and shopping centers of the “DNR” on a large scale (mainly dairy products, canned fish and meat, dressings like mayonnaise and ketchup, as well as beer) – all without Ukrainian excise stamps. According to IR data, the main smuggling route was organized in the Volnovakha area, with assistance from Ukrainian officials.

In Horlivka, so-called “medicine runs” are gaining popularity with local residents who travel to Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk) and other settlements in the Ukraine-controlled territories to purchase medications. Given the scarcity of medications in the “DNR,” “DNR” officials from the entourage of Alexander Zakharchenko are attempting to establish contraband channels to supply Ukrainian-made medications to the occupied areas.

Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 06.01
06.06.2016 - 17:20

Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist forces continue to grossly violate the Minsk agreements, firing at advanced Ukrainian troop positions and settlements controlled by the ATO forces. The increased frequency of shelling, including using the on-board weapons of armored vehicles and 120 mm mortars, indicates a clear trend for the escalation of tension along the demarcation line.


Battle at Yasynuvata checkpoint on May 30, 2016. Photo source: social media

During the past 24 hours, Russian occupiers and local militants have sharply increased their activity in areas adjacent to Avdiivka and the Yasynuvata junction. 120 mm mortar shells were fired at the ATO forces’ strongholds south of Verkhnotoretske, as well as east of Troitske, with shelling extended deep into this settlement. In addition, 120 mm mortars prohibited by the Minsk Agreements were used by terrorists to shell Ukrainian troops south of Krasnohorivka and near Opytne. A Ukrainian troop stronghold near Stanytsia Luhanska came under fire from the on-board weapons of BMP-2’s and BMP-1’s. Near Zaitseve and Zhovanka, the enemy used the on-board weapons of BMP-2’s under covering fire from 82 mm mortars.

Along the rest of the demarcation line, occupying troops carried out fire raids using small arms, heavy machine guns, stand-mounted grenade launchers, and 82-mm mortars. Enemy snipers are at work in virtually all “hot spots” along the line, with the densest sniper fire on Ukrainian troop positions occurring in the vicinity of Luhanske, Mar’inkaand Avdiivka (the industrial zone).




VIDEO: On the night of May 29, 2016, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted in “DPR”-controlled Mineralne (10km north-east of Donetsk) two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) firing four rounds in a north-western direction – in the general area of government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) – after two explosions had just occurred within 200 metres of their position. The incidents constitute two violations of the Minsk Agreements, both because of the presence of heavy weapons within the withdrawal lines, and the use of such weapons.
A considerable movement of militant road transport vehicles and heavy armor has been noted near Horlivka. A convoy of two BMP-2’s and 16 army trucks proceeded towards Zaitseve; four army trucks delivered ammunition supplies to mortar positions near the Haharin and Lenin coal mines; a new mortar emplacement has been spotted near the village 6-7 area (at least two 2B9 “Vasilek” 82-mm mortars). Four MT-LB’s, one Avtokung containerized truck, and up to 50 militants arrived near Mykolaivka to reinforce the occupying troops.

The area of concentration of the Alchevsk–Stakhanov group of Russian-terrorist forces is also accumulating fuel, lubricants, and other supplies. Six fuel tankers and two tented army trucks were observed travelling towards Alchevsk.

Enemy units deployed near Dokuchajevsk continue receiving reinforcements. A convoy of Russian-terrorist forces consisting of five armored vehicles (BMP-1’s and BTR-80’s) and at least six army trucks arrived in this locality from the direction of Styla. Reinforcement is underway for the close-lying rear flanks of the Dokuchajevsk group of Russian-terrorist troops, whose commanders fear that Dokuchajevsk will be taken in the allegedly-planned Ukrainian offensive. In this direction of operations, terrorists have concentrated additional troops in the second echelon (up to one strengthened “motorized rifle battalion” with a two-battery artillery group).

Standalone terrorist units (up to 150 personnel in total) have been transferred to the vicinity of Olenivka and to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk, taking positions away from the previously deployed “DNR 1st AC” units.

“Special propaganda groups” have been set up in Russian-terrorist troop units of the “1st DNR AC” for the purpose of information and psychological operations on the tactical level (to influence the personnel of the ATO forces’ advanced units and the local population in the immediate vicinity of the front).

In the so-called “Rumors are being spread among armed gangs and the local population about the alleged “armed provocations” by “mercenaries from the Baltic countries” operating as part of the ATO forces’ units, according to local media citing “officials” and top commanders of the”2nd LNR AC,” groups of “sniper mercenaries from Latvia” are firing at civilians passing through the “Zolote” entry-exit checkpoint in order to discredit “the young republic.”

Yesterday’s statement by the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, claiming that Russia does not recognize the “LDNR” caused a surge of panic among militants and their supporters in the local Donbas population. Theories are widely circulating that “Putin has abandoned Novorossiya,” that any “support from Russia” will stop arriving any time soon, and that, for Moscow, the Minsk dialogues are merely a pretext for diplomatically abandoning the occupied territories. Rumors are spreading among local militants that an agreement has already allegedly been reached between Moscow and Kyiv stipulating an “amnesty” for terrorists, yet it would only apply to those militants in illegal armed gangs who were not directly involved in the fighting, while the remainder – the bulk of the personnel of the “1st DNR AC” and “2nd LNR AC “– will be considered “war criminals,” and will become the target of harsh legal prosecution by Ukraine. In turn, information is circulating among Russian mercenaries that Russia will not allow them to leave Donbas and return to the Russian Federation, thus “setting them up” to be persecuted by Ukraine.

Ukraine, South Africa, Venezuela, Libya, Syria its all unravelling.

08.06.16 20:43
Russian militants shelled Putylivka neighborhood of Donetsk with 122-mm SP-gun, - Staff
The enemy did not stop committing attacks on the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) forces’ positions today. 15 assaults have been recorded as of 6 p.m. June 8.

Censor.NET informs citing the situation report by the ATO Staff press center.
The latest update reads: "The tensest situation was at the Mariupol section of the front: the enemy was shelling our strong points near Novotroitske with 122-mm self-propelled guns for almost an hour from midnight. The pro-Russian gangs committed four more strikes on the defenders of Novotroitske with 82-mm and 120-mm mortars during the night.
"The militants fired at strongholds near Pavlopil with 82-mm mortars and employed small arms on the outskirts of Marinka.
"Our soldiers came under mortar strikes on the outskirts of Avdiivka near Butivka mine at the Donetsk section of the front. The snipers were actively committing attacks near Leninske and Avdiivka as well.

"The illegal armed groups of the pro-Russian mercenaries shelled Putylivka neighborhood of Donetsk with 122-mm SP-gun at 2 p.m. The militants committed this attack from the direction of the temporarily occupied Kruta Balka village.
"This was yet another provocation by the Russian occupation forces aimed to discredit Ukraine and its Armed Forces and a gross violation of existing agreements reached in Minsk."

09.06.16 10:10
Situation worsens in Ukraine's east as militants employ 152-mm artillery, heavy mortars, and self-propelled guns, - Staff
Over the past day, the situation in the area of anti-terrorist operation (ATO) deteriorated. Pro-Russian gangs committed 43 attacks on Ukrainian army positions.
Censor.NET reports referring to the ATO press center summary as of 6 a.m., June 9.
"At the Donetsk direction, Russian mercenaries attacked Ukrainian troops near Avdiivka, Pisky, Opytne with all types of small arms and mortars of various caliber. At about 10 p.m., brutally violating the Minsk agreements, they employed powerful 152-mm artillery systems," the report reads.
According to the Staff, ATO forces' positions in the vicinity of Luhanske and Novhorodske were hit with various types of grenade launchers and small arms, while positions near Maiorsk and Zaitseve came under heavy mortar fire.
"As night fell at the Mariupol direction, militants repeatedly delivered heavy mortar and self-propelled gun fire on ATO forces' strong points near Novotroitske, while 82-mm mortars were used in the vicinity of Pavlopil and Marinka. Our soldiers near Talakivka and Shyrokyne came under heavy machine gun fire," the press center adds.

Illegal armed groups are reported to have also violated the cease-fire in the Luhansk region: "Not far from Novozvanivka, militants delivered indirect small arms and grenade launcher fire, trying to provoke our fighters."
"In some cases, Ukrainian units opened fire to curb enemy activity," the Staff noted.

Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 05.20
08.06.2016 - 22:11

Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist forces remain active in Donbas, firing along almost all sections of the demarcation line, most of all in the area of Avdiivka and its suburbs (including Opytne); near the Butovka Mine ventilation shaft; south of Luhanske; in the vicinity of Novotroitske and Berezove; along the Zaitseve–Mayorsk strip; and in the coastal direction of operations.

In the Avdiivka area, terrorists shelled the ATO forces’ advanced units from a position east of the Yasynuvata Junction using 120 mm mortars, following an earlier shelling of the “industrial zone” with 122 mm artillery from the direction of the Mineralne–Yakovlivka line. During daytime, militants fired 82 mm mortars from several positions, while two sniper groups operated in the same area (with large-caliber sniper rifles).

Near Novotroitske, the enemy used automatic 82 mm mortars and sniper fire from the southern waste mound (outskirts of Dokuchajevsk).

From the southern part of Staromykhailivka, a pair of militant BMP-2’s targeted the ATO forces’ positions east of Krasnohorivka station (near Geologicheskaya Street), firing mainly from their on-board 30 mm automatic cannons.

Near Stanytsia Luhanska, a militant grenade launcher group was observed; heavy machine gun fire was also recorded.

Recently, the enemy’s actions have observed the following specifics:

• sharply increased sniper activity;

• repeated attempts by small militant groups to covertly approach the ATO forces’ positions in order to suddenly open fire (detecting their approach is made more difficult by the “vegetation”); in all cases, shooting comes with the aid of covering fire (mainly from AGS-17’s, heavy machine guns and mortars);

• enhanced coordination between terrorist units (the obvious benefits of extensive training and exercises in combat coordination organised in the militant “training centers” in Donbas during February and April of this year);

• active reconnaissance (by DRGs, UAVs, and radio intelligence) of the ATO forces’ front edge and tactical rear, as well as multiple attempts to scout the Ukrainian troops’ operational and tactical rear using DRGs and UAVs (in the latter case, militants are primarily interested in the locations of combat equipment, command points, and fuel and ammunition storage sites);

• DRGs staffed by the Russian Special Forces appeared simultaneously in several sections. These are professionally trained groups arriving from Russia in the course of rotation of the regular Russian Federation Armed Forces units in Donbas. Their task at this stage is to “learn the lay of the land”;

• militants are gradually moving heavy weaponry closer to the front again. Terrorist tanks have been spotted on several sections of the front simultaneously (for the moment, in small groups of 2-3), while the presence of 122 mm and 152 mm towed artillery systems and self-propelled guns has been noted in several directions of operation (for now, in “scattered” battery formations of 4-6 systems and guns). There is no doubt that militant use of cannon artillery at this stage mainly serves two purposes – preparatory artillery fire and “running-in” the new reinforcements in artillery details;

Increased discontent has been noted in several units of the “1st DNR AC,” specifically among local militant “personnel” used in clashes and armed provocations against Ukrainian troops. Local militants are unhappy with the “multi-layered cake” configuration for Russian-terrorist forces’ combat formations used by the Russian command on a number of sections of the front. Units manned by local militants with poor combat training, as well as by mercenaries under disciplinary sanctions (essentially, “cannon fodder”) are brought directly up to the front line and engaged in combat. The second line consists of local militants who received a relatively high level of training from Russian instructors, led by the latter; as well as Russian mercenaries trained in Russia. The third line consists of Russian Federation armed forces units.

Displaying little concern for camouflage now, militants are moving heavy armor, forbidden under the Minsk agreements, in close proximity to the front line. South of the Putylivka neighborhood (Donetsk) a battery of 152 mm “Msta-B” howitzers was transferred on trailers hauled by Kamaz trucks (6 guns); near the Donetsk International Airport (DAP), four terrorist “Gvozdika” 2S1 122-mm self-propelled guns were spotted travelling to the southern direction of operations.

In the Proletarskyi district of Donetsk, we observed the transfer of up to 5 “Kamaz” trucks with military personnel, bearing insignia of a red star in a circle. Until now, no such insignia has been seen on representatives of Russian-terrorist forces units.

A large group of militants (about 300 persons) from the local Donbas population, previously members of armed gangs of the “1st DNR AC” (mainly riflemen and sappers), have been sent from Khartsyzk (Donetsk oblast) to the training base of the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Federation Armed Forces near Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation). The militants wore Russian-issue fatigues with an insignia depicting a dark-green flag with two ribbons (light green and light red in color), and an inscription in Armenian across the width of the flag. According to information from militant circles, the group will be trained in the GRU base on Russian Federation territory “under the patronage” of a private-sector military company, and afterwards participate in the hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. This group was transported on board of “Ural” automobiles with tactical markings “55” and “23.”

Following the “LNR’s” example, the “DNR” launched a large-scale hunt for “Ukrainian spies and saboteurs of the Special Operations Forces and SBU.” According to the information possessed by the “DNR MGB,” a formidable Ukrainian sabotage and intelligence network is at work in Donetsk and Horlivka. The directors of the militant “state security” administration have tasked units under their control to urgently develop and implement “a plan of action to identify and neutralize” Ukrainian saboteurs. Particular attention should be paid to the governing bodies of local housing and utilities services, allegedly rife with “spies.” Mass searches have also been ordered in residential and business premises, looking for secret caches of weapons and explosives. Rumors are circulating among rank and file “DNR MGB” employees from the local population that the “DNR” leadership and Russian “supervisors” are using these searches to identify targets for subsequent “expropriation.”

Hybrid technology of ethnic pressures: instrument of the Russian geostrategy
09.06.2016 - 09:14

Very few people think about it seriously, but as it turns out, nearly all hybrid wars of recent decades have similar motives for unleashing the conflict. Moreover, you won’t find any analysis of back stories of conflicts with Russia in the open access. At best, the Russian version of Wikipedia will be marked with a chronology of events, repeatedly proven by Russian censorship.

What’s the secret?

The banality of many modern wars with Russia lies in their main motive – ethnic nationalism.

For a reference: Russian ethnic nationalism seeks domination of the Russian ethnic group over others in society and the political system. Ethnic nationalism was one of the major causes of conflicts in the post-Soviet space. It is backed by Russian laws, as well as focused on historical, religious and cultural traditions of Russia. Its base is the Russian-speaking population, an opinion of which adjusts the nationalist-leaning network in Russia and abroad.

Ethnic nationalism may be in a “ready” state for a long time. However, when it is released, “the ethnic tempest’’ is able to destroy the entire nation. There are more than enough examples.

For illustration purposes, let’s take a look at a close to us post-Soviet space:

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in 1988 was unleashed after the NKAO (Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast) soviet of people’s Deputies adopted a decision on accession of their region to the Armenia. Ethnic contradiction was that, in their opinion, there were allegedly more Armenians in Azerbaijan region, and due to this fact the territory should belong to the Armenia. Characteristically, Russia supported side of the Armenia in this ethnic contradiction;

Transnistrian conflict in 1989 is based on the alleged harassment of the Slavic traditions of Moldova. Russia initiated the controversy. The confrontation was reflected in the reluctance of a small Russian-speaking part of the population to translate from Moldovan alphabet to Latin and to work with clerical in Moldovan language;

The Abkhaz conflict in 1989 – began with the Abkhazia’s decision to secede from Georgia. The catalyst for the conflict was made by Russia, whose troops fought on the side of the Abkhazia. In 2002, Russian institutions in the Abkhazia issued Russian passports for everyone, to register Georgians Abkhazians as Russians. It was a so called “Passport” annexation of Georgian nationality. Almost identical in its sense ethnic story developed in South Ossetia at the same time.

See also:The Logic and Risks Behind Russia’s Statelet Sponsorship – Stratfor

Annexation of the Ukrainian Crimea by Russia in 2014 – in foundation of its history is the idea about forced ukrainization of ethnic Russians living in Crimea. The reason for the escalation of the situation and carrying out Russian “emergency referendum” was triggered by the alleged instructions of the Ukrainian authorities to send “Bandera formations” to the peninsula.

The occupation of a part of the Ukrainian Donbas in 2014 – the motive for the war was the opinion about the alleged harassment of ethnic Russians in eastern regions of Ukraine. By and large, the situation is a continuation of the Crimean annexation by Russia, which had plans of Novorossiya and extension connections by land of unrecognized republics with Transnistria.

Russian ethnic nationalism is present not only on the post-Soviet territory. Experts and politicians from different countries insist that the motives for the manifestation of the Russian ethnic domination of Russia are already evident in the Baltic countries, Poland, Hungary and other European countries. In their observations, their manifestation has a non-aggressive nature at the moment. In a word, the mechanism of ethnic nationalism was effectively tested in many conflicts or domestic contradictions.

Specialists distinguish three degrees of influence in social and political consciousness.

The first wave of ethnic nationalism is manifested in slight political dominance (Russia-elder brother in unified family of Nations). This situation can last for decades. Speaking about Ukraine, such a period probably should be measured in centuries.

The second wave of ethnic nationalism is manifested through active informational pressure and outbreaks in cultural-historical or political plains. For Ukraine, such examples occurred in 1993, when 80% of the former Soviet Black Sea fleet ships raised Russian flags and “expressed” a desire to serve Russia. Or, say, in 2004, when, under the auspices of dissent allusions of Ukraine with the results of the presidential elections, “Autonomous South-Eastern Ukrainian Republic’’ was established. As a rule, the “second wave” spurts reveal weaknesses in defense against threats of ethnic nationalism.

Third wave-ethnic nationalism develops very aggressive traits and turns into an open military confrontation. As illustrative example is the burst of activity of the Russian ethnic nationalism in the Southern and Eastern regions of Ukraine at the outset of 2014. At that time, the main attributes of all rallies have become Russian flags, slogans “Russia, save Donbas” or “Donbas is Russia”.


“Putin, send army to Slovyansk!” (Slovyansk is the Ukrainian city captured by Russian troops in April 2014. It was the main terrorist base until July 2014, when Ukrainian army liberated the city)

In addition, this period was characterized by extreme forms of ethnic pressure – Russian referendum in Crimea under the supervision of the “green men” units or, say, creating a “pro-Russian’’ enclave with the help of Russian troops in Donbas.

Ethnic pressure shall be carried out on certain areas of influence, among which:

• direction of culture and tradition: the spread of views on Slavic identity, ancient civilization, the priority of Russian orthodoxy, etc., the carrier which allegedly is Russia;
• historical direction: establishing a new Russian history, in which Crimea and Donbas, as well as other regions of Ukraine were “native-Russian lands”. In this regard, it is indicative of Putin’s speech addressed to young Russian historians, in which the Russian President identified the scientist tasks for writing “a qualitatively new Russian history”;
• ideological education: formation of society’s ideology “Russian world”, simulation of a large number of enemies around Russia and creating the illusion of the need to protect “Russian land”. The brightest example of this aspect is Government support for the Kazachestvo of Russia, “the Kremlin’s war-fighting capabilities motivated by Russian national patriotism’’;

Inherently-ethnic nationalism in Russia constitutes a threat to national security in such manifestations as Ukraine and other countries, where there are Russian diaspora communities or other pro-Russian organization today. They are the channels for distribution of nationalist ideas that are broadcasted from the Kremlin walls. In recent years, there were rather a lot of such expressions from Russian experts and politicians. For example:

• the Russian Ambassador to Ukraine M. Zurabov stated in August 2012 that Russia will implement the program of financing Russian subjects in Ukraine in schools of the State. The program was about inclusion of optional subjects of Russian history, literature and geography in the Ukrainian educational program;
• Director of the Institute of CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States – edit.) was openly saying in May 2013 that he was going to create the Russian national movement in Ukraine;
• political scientist and journalist S. Gorbachev noted in 2013 that Moscow must conduct the operation on forcing Ukraine to friendship;
• Commander of the Black Sea fleet of Russia A. Fedotenkov said in 2013 that Sevastopol is a “city of Russian sailors”, and Russia was not preparing to leave from here until 2042.
• LDPR leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky raised a question about the division between Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Hungary and Poland in March 2014 at the session of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. It is significant that after such odious statements, Zhirinovsky was denounced by none of Russian parliamentarians;
• Chairman of the party “The Other Russia” Eduard Limonov said last week in his article on the future of Ukraine that, ultimately, it will remain as nine regions around Kyiv. “We, Russians, take land inhabited by our Russian brothers: Kharkiv, Odesa, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv Oblast”;

Of course, this is not a definitive list of statements of Russian leaders about ethnic Russian pressure on Ukraine. But even in these examples alone it is easy to trace Kremlin’s intention to ethnically frame Ukrainian society.

It is clear, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia has started to develop a new concept of foreign policy.


Russian political rally

We will remind, that the foreign policy Concept of the Russian Federation (12.02.2013 g) along with your application 1 (18 g) defined the purpose and direction of the impact of “soft power” of Russia vis-à-vis other States.

See also: “Hybrid warfare” as a key instrument of the Russian revenge geostrategy

In those documents Ukraine was considered to be a “priority partner of CIS”, which was included in the Kremlin’s plan of “the depth of integration processes”. In short, ethnic nationalism constitutes a serious threat to the national security of Ukraine, as stated in the national security strategy of Ukraine (section. 3.1.3.). Objectives for today’s Russian ethnic nationalism in Ukraine remain:

• the population of the regions in which the occupation authorities established – the Crimea peninsula and part of Luhansk and Donetsk regions;
• the population of the regions in the Southern and Eastern regions of Ukraine, which remains perceptible to the influence of the Russian ethnic nationalism;
• the population of Ukraine, which is relevant to Russia on various grounds;
• national minorities of Ukraine, including the Russian diaspora, the Trans Carpathian Rusyns and others;

Ukraine is in a State of perpetual (albeit undeclared) war with Russia. This allows the Kremlin to use various pretexts to enhance ethnic dominance, using such scripts (as an option):

• issuance of Russian passports in the occupied regions of Donetsk Basin, thus repeating the “Georgian scenario”;
• swinging inter-ethnic relations and conduct of the referendum in “peaceful” regions of Ukraine (e.g. in Mariupol, Odesa or in Transcarpathia);
• massive statement of “pro-Russian” Ukrainians about the desire to see Ukraine in the Russian international associations;
• numerous speculations on the subject of harassment of the Russian-speaking Ukrainians rights on any occasion and more;

See also: The US global intelligence company Stratfor explained the possible scenarios of the further Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine

With a view to identifying and timely responding to such threats, Ukraine requires monitoring of internal political and informational situation, which forces local authorities to be carry it out. And as a means of counteracting ethnic threats – information about history, culture, traditions of Ukraine is needed, which is not sufficient at the moment. If the Russian ethnic nationalism was able to penetrate into the Ukrainian audience, it means that our State has weak immunity “ethnic”.

ATO spokesperson: Militants move more artillery, mortars to Avdiivka area
09.06 18:30



Russia-backed militants violated ceasefire 43 times, more than half of it features heavy arms, said Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, presidential administration spokesperson on ATO-related issues at the press briefing.

Militants violated ceasefire once in Luhansk sector in the Popasna area.

Heavy skirmishes continue near Putilivska mine and the Avdiivka area. Russian proxy fighters moved mortar and artillery batteries along the line Yasynuvata-Mineralne-Spartak-Donetsk. “The militants fired twice from 152 mm howitzers. Hostile mortar fire was observed across the whole contact line [in Donetsk sector]. Other hot spots included Luhanske village, Zaitseve, Mayorsk, Opytne and Pivdenne village,” said Col. Motuzyanyk.

Novotroyitske continues to be a major hot spot in Mariupol sector. Militants launched intense artillery shelling in the area and used mortars four times in the area. Overall, Ukrainian troops were fired upon with 40 artillery projectiles and over 40 mortar mines.

One Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and five more were wounded in action over the last day.

Col. Motuzyanyk noted that two militants were killed in action and three were wounded in the Avdiivka area.

Ukraine’s military intelligence detected three flights of militant drones near Bakhmut road, Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka yesterday. The “DNR” commander ordered to down another OSCE drone, however militants of the “100th Brigade” damaged their own unmanned aerial vehicle by mistake.