Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

10:44 19.02.2018
Two Russian fighters blown up by militant-laid landmines in Donbas, one dies
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/486099.html

Two Russian soldiers near the Svitlodarska Duha bulge in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) area in Donbas have been blown up by militant-laid landmines, killing one of them, the ATO Headquarters press service has said.

"According to ATO reconnaissance, two militants of the so-called 7th separate motorized rifle brigade of the illegal armed militant formations set off their own landmines near frontline positions of the ATO at the Svitlodarska Duha bulge on February 18," the press service said on its Facebook page on Sunday evening.

Both militants were Russian citizens, it added.

"One was Vladimir Vladimirovych Lyubinov, born in 1988, a resident of Russian's Krasnodar Krai, who died. The other was Sergei Valeryevich Mikhailov, born in birth 1972, a resident of Astrakhan (Vodnikov Street, ap. 55), who was wounded in a landmine blast," the ATO HQ said.

According to ATO HQ, pro-Russia media may accuse ATO forces of violating the Minsk Agreements and blame the incident on Ukrainian military forces.

"One more fact demonstrating Russian presence in Donbas has been found. A check is underway to find out whether the fighters are members of the Russian armed forces," the press release said.

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Monday, February 19. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 10 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used mortars near Krymske, Troitske, Novoluhanske, and Zaitseve. Militants launched attacks against the ATO positions near Luhanske using grenade launchers and heavy machineguns. The illegal armed formations fired small arms and machineguns on ATO positions near Novooleksandrivka and Stanytsia Luhanska.

Occupants attacked the ATO positions near Shyrokyne with 120 mm mortars.

One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.

 

[Hindustani78]

ATO HQ reports 1 KIA, 7 WIA amid 15 enemy attacks on Ukrainian army positions
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/486568.html

Russia's hybrid military forces have attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 15 times in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another seven as wounded in action (WIA), the press center of the Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

"In general, over the past day, the enemy conducted 15 targeted attacks, as a result of the aggressor's actions, unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, five soldiers were injured, two more of our defenders received battle traumas," the ATO press center's report reads on Facebook.

In the Luhansk sector, the enemy was active near the village of Troyitske, where it had for several hours been firing from 122mm and 100mm artillery systems, mortars, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, and grenade launchers. In the vicinity of Krymske and Svitlodarsk, illegal armed formations employed 82mm mortars and small arms, while the defenders of the village of Katerynivka came under fire from an anti-tank missile system and grenade launchers.

The Mariupol sector became the epicenter of fire tension. Here, the militants used 120mm mortars near the villages of Lebedynske and Lomakyne. The invaders also fired from 82mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Pisky, while the outskirts of Avdiyivka were shelled from automatic grenade launchers.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/486568.html

Russia's hybrid military forces have attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 15 times in the past 24 hours, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and another seven as wounded in action (WIA), the press center of the Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

"In general, over the past day, the enemy conducted 15 targeted attacks, as a result of the aggressor's actions, unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, five soldiers were injured, two more of our defenders received battle traumas," the ATO press center's report reads on Facebook.

In the Luhansk sector, the enemy was active near the village of Troyitske, where it had for several hours been firing from 122mm and 100mm artillery systems, mortars, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, and grenade launchers. In the vicinity of Krymske and Svitlodarsk, illegal armed formations employed 82mm mortars and small arms, while the defenders of the village of Katerynivka came under fire from an anti-tank missile system and grenade launchers.

The Mariupol sector became the epicenter of fire tension. Here, the militants used 120mm mortars near the villages of Lebedynske and Lomakyne. The invaders also fired from 82mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Pisky, while the outskirts of Avdiyivka were shelled from automatic grenade launchers.

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http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2018/...st-of-ukraine-as-of-morning-february-21-2018/
Wednesday, February 21. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 15 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 122 mm and 100 mm artillery, mortars, BMP, anti-air mount, and grenade launchers near Luhanske. The illegal armed formations launched attacks using 82 mm mortars and small arms near Krymske and Svitlodarsk, anti-tank missile system and grenade launchers near Katerynivka.

Militants fired 120 mm mortars against the ATO positions near Lebedynske and Lomakine, 82 mm mortars, BMP and heavy machineguns near Pisky, automatic grenade launchers near Avdiivka.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed, five soldiers were wounded and two soldiers were injured.

We express condolences to relatives and family of the fallen hero of Ukraine.

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[Hindustani78]

Thursday, February 22. DONBAS – According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 20 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 122 mm artillery, mortars and BMP against the ATO positions near Troitske, 82 mm mortars near Krymske, Novooleksandrivka, and Katerynivka. Militants launched attacks against the ATO positions near Luhanske, Zalizne, and Novoluhanske with grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms, near Maiorsk with anti-air mount, near Zaitseve with small arms.

Occupants fired 120 and 82 mm mortars and grenade launchers on ATO positions near Vodiane and Lebedynske, small arms on ATO positions near Avdiivka.

Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded and one soldier was injured.

Unfortunately, careless handling of fire-arms resulted in death of one soldier.

ATO HQ Press Centre: About 200 Russian troops arrive to temporarily occupied Donbas


To control the temporarily occupied part of Donbas and illegal armed formations, the Kremlin patrons have sent an unusual humanitarian convoy — about 200 senior officers.

According to the ATO HQ, they might be representatives of regular military formations of the aggressor deployed at Shidnyi (Eastern) training field near Manuilivka village (Donetsk oblast).

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The Ukrainian party of JCCC informs that militants of the illegal armed formations keep on violating the Minsk agreements.

The observers of the Special Monitoring Mission of the OSCE permanently record a large number of weapons and other hardware in villages of Luhansk oblast occupied by militants.

On February 19, in non-government-controlled territory of Ukraine the OSCE SMM spotted 11 tanks, 20 armoured personnel carriers, 7 artillery command vehicles and 21 military-type trucks, 5 five stationary self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near Shymshynivka.

Moreover, SMM spotted a large number of weapons and other hardware near Myrne village (21 tanks, 12 towed and 8 self-propelled howitzers, 15 mortars, 6 anti-tank guns).

Ukrainian party of the JCCC

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The representatives ofOffice of Defence Cooperation at US Embassy in Ukraineled by Col. Robert Peters visited the National Defence University. Foreign guests were briefed on University structure and tasks.

“Our primary task is to meet the requirements of defence reform, including transformation of military education in Ukraine and compliance of the Ukrainian army with NATO standards,” Deputy Commandant of the University Major General Serhii Salcutsan said.

The parties discussed issues of further cooperation and focused on importance of development of the University Imitation Modelling Centre, as well as US possible assistance in this process.

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Friday, February 23. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 19 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 120 mm and 82 mm mortars and infantry weapons near Luhanske and Troitske, 82 mm mortars near Krymske and Katerynivka, heavy machineguns and small arms near Zaitseve and Novoluhanske, grenade launchers and machineguns near Hladosove and Lozove, BMP and small arms near Novooleksandrivka.

Militants launched attacks using mortars against the ATO positions near Novotroitske and Pisky.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed and one soldier was wounded. We express condolences to families and relatives of the fallen hero of Ukraine.

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[Hindustani78]

No Ukrainian servicemen have been injured in 13 ceasefire violations by militants in Donbas over the past 24 hours, the press center for the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations has reported.

"Over the past 24 hours, Russian occupation forces have continued to grossly violate the Minsk agreements, using weapons that should have been withdrawn from the contact line to certain distances long ago. The aggressor was especially active in conducting provocations during the hours of darkness," the headquarters said in a report posted on its Facebook page on Saturday.

In the Luhansk sector, gunmen used 122mm artillery systems, mortars and entire arsenal of small arms, including grenade launchers near Luhanske.

"According to preliminary reports, several shells exploded in the vicinity of this front-line settlement and damaged the property of private houses of local residents. From the temporarily occupied Pervomaisk, the enemy fired at the outskirts of Pidlisne from 152mm artillery. The aftermath of the damage is being clarified," the press center said.

Militants used 120mm mortars and infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) weapons to fire at Ukrainian positions near Troitske. Militants also provoked Ukrainian defenders by firing from grenade launchers of various types and small arms from Novooleksandrivka, Novhorodske and Zaitseve.

In the Donetsk sector, militants used 120mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms in the vicinity of Novotroitske.

 

[Hindustani78]

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Monday, February 26. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 5 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 82 mm mortars near Zaitseve, grenade launchers and small arms near Krymske and Novoluhanske.

Militants launched attacks against the ATO positions near Vodiane using 82 mm mortars and small arms, near Butivka mine using small arms.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed, one soldier was wounded. We express condolences to family and relatives of the fallen hero of Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

The attempt by militants to break through the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Krasnohorivka in July 2017 was made with the financial and material support of representatives of the authorities and the command of the Russian Armed Forces, the media liaisons department of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine has reported.

"The pre-trial investigation found that at about 04.15 on July 20, 2017, militants of the 'first army corps of the people's militia' of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), with financial and material support from representatives of the authorities and the command of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, made an attempt to break through the positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the town of Krasnohorivka in Donetsk region," reads a statement posted on the PGO website on Tuesday, February 27.

The PGO said that as a result of the fighting, the Ukrainian army had liquidated four members of a subversive and DPR reconnaissance group, one of whom was a Russian Soldier.

"At the same time, three soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were killed during the combat clash, which led to serious consequences," the press service added.

"During the inspection of the scene of the incident, a large number of firearms and explosive weapons were found, including a 40mm grenade launcher, which according to the expert's conclusion is a 40mm grenade launcher 6G34 (GP-34) of industrial production intended for firing 40mm shots VOG-25, VOG-25P. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the mentioned 6G34 (GP-34) under-barrel grenade launcher is in service with the Russian Armed Forces," the report says.

It was also established that the liquidated members of the subversive and reconnaissance group were dressed in military uniforms (bulletproof vests, military helmets, etc.), which were manufactured in Russia (Kazan, Rostov-on-Don, etc.).

A number of medicines produced in Russia were also seized during the inspection the scene of the clash.

The received evidence of Russia's financing illegal armed formations in Donetsk region was transferred to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry for use in international judicial institutions.


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The disengagement of troops and military hardware from the contact line in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, may take place near the village of Stanytsia Luhanska in Luhansk region on Monday, March 5, if there is a ceasefire, the press secretary of ex-president of Ukraine and the country's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Leonid Kuchma, Darka Olifer, has said.

"Provided a ceasefire is observed in the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska on March 5, 2018, the disengagement of troops and weapons may take place, as envisaged by the TCG's relevant framework decision," Olifer wrote on Facebook on Wednesday evening, following a TCG meeting in Minsk on February 28.

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21.02.2018
A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was killed and two other soldiers were injured, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters reported.

"In general, over the past day, the enemy conducted 15 targeted attacks, as a result of the aggressor's actions, unfortunately, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, five soldiers were injured, two more of our defenders received battle traumas," the ATO press center's report reads on Facebook.

In the Luhansk sector, the enemy was active near the village of Troyitske, where it had for several hours been firing from 122mm and 100mm artillery systems, mortars, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, and grenade launchers. In the vicinity of Krymske and Svitlodarsk, illegal armed formations employed 82mm mortars and small arms, while the defenders of the village of Katerynivka came under fire from an anti-tank missile system and grenade launchers.

The Mariupol sector became the epicenter of fire tension. Here, the militants used 120mm mortars near the villages of Lebedynske and Lomakyne. The invaders also fired from 82mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Pisky, while the outskirts of Avdiyivka were shelled from automatic grenade launchers.

22.02.2018
Russia has sent about 200 servicemen to the occupied territory of Donetsk region for the purpose of rotation, they have been placed near the settlement of Manuilivka, the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

In the Luhansk sector, gunmen used 122mm artillery systems, mortars and entire arsenal of small arms, including grenade launchers near Luhanske.120mm mortars and infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) weapons fire at Ukrainian positions near Troitske ,also provoked Ukrainian defenders by firing from grenade launchers of various types and small arms from Novooleksandrivka, Novhorodske and Zaitseve.

In the Donetsk sector, militants used 120mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms in the vicinity of Novotroitske.


the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) has reported 28 tanks and over 30 other armored vehicles in the industrial zone of the occupied city of Donetsk.three T-64 tanks were recorded in the southwestern part of militant-controlled Slovianoserbsk, and a BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket system was seen north of militant-controlled Ambrosivka.

"The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informs that gunmen of illegal armed formations operating in certain areas of Luhansk region in particular, on February 22, Ukrainian forces spotted 36 T-64 tanks in the settlement of Kruhlyk and five D-30 howitzers near the settlement of Yasne," the Ukrainian side of the JCCC reported on the website of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Saturday, February 24.

Ten tanks were seen on the territory of a secondary school on Khmelnytsky Street in Donetsk, as well as artillery systems and mortars on the northeastern outskirts of Kalynivka.

 

[Hindustani78]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) have been coming under small-arms fire in the Donbas conflict area for five weeks, the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said.

An UAV of the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) monitors came under fire last Monday, and this is the fifth consecutive week the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) drones have been coming under small-arm fire, he said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

Ten UAVs of the Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) have come under small-arms fire six times from the regions controlled by the Ukrainian government and four times in the regions outside Kyiv's control since the beginning of 2018, Hug said.

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http://www.mil.gov.ua/en/news/2018/...opportunity-to-stop-the-murder-of-ukrainians/

Ukrainian Peacekeepers are an important component of peaceful restoration of sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of our state. I want to remind everyone that I announced this initiative back in 2015, and unfortunately, only now it gets more and more support among our partners,” President Poroshenko said, answering the question regarding the prospects of a UN peacekeeping mission in the occupied part of the Donbas.

The President stressed that Ukraine’s priority is a peaceful, political and diplomatic way of restoring territorial integrity. He once again emphasized: „Ukraine will adhere to the Minsk agreements and insist on the deployment of a UN peacekeeping mission under conditions acceptable for Ukraine”.

The Head of State has voiced Ukraine’s position on this issue once again: „Global Coalition Peacekeepers and Ukrainian peacekeepers will be able to disarm illegal armed groups, take control of the uncontrolled section of the Ukrainian-Russian state border, stop the infiltration of Russian troops, Russian weapons into the occupied territory”.

He also stressed that with the introduction of peacekeepers, „Ukraine will be able to resume its humanitarian mission, as there is a humanitarian catastrophe in the occupied territories”. The Head of State noted that „participation in a peacekeeping operation cannot be taken by the aggressor country, or a neighboring country”.

The President emphasized that „today, the result of the negotiations is the willingness of many countries to participate in a peacekeeping mission in the occupied territory of the Donbas”. He noted that „this is the evidence of a significant progress in this direction”.

Petro Poroshenko said that „these issues will be discussed in the Normandy format in the near future, inter alia, during the meeting at the level of diplomatic advisers”.

„I will do my utmost to bring the Global coalition peacekeepers as soon as possible, as this is the only option that can stop the killing of Ukrainians, both civilians and military, restore Ukrainian sovereignty in the occupied Donbas. We just need Russia to leave the occupied territories,” the President emphasized.

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The Ukrainian party of JCCC informs that regardless the systematic limitations from RF occupational administration, the monitors of the OSCE SMM report weapons on temporarily occupied non-government territories.

The reports that in February 2018 104 tanks, which should be withdrawn under the Minsk agreements, were absent.

The unmanned aerial vehicle spotted 4 self-propelled howitzers (2S1) forbidden by Minsk agreements. Militants do not allow the OSCE SMM patrols to enter the military facilities.

 

[Hindustani78]

Saturday, March 03. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 8 times over the past 24 hours.

Militants shelled 120 mm mortars near Troitske, small arms near Stanytsia Luhanska.

The enemy used 120 and 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms near Avdiivka, 82 mm mortars and BMP near Bohdanivka.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed and two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded.

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Ukrainian military more than 10 battalions have undergone training under the special forces to material support, including equipment and weapons”

“It is a very important element for us, I would like to say that this is a signal for all the Ukrainians, not only for the Armed Forces, that we are not alone with the aggressor. This is a signal for our partners that it is necessary to work efficiently and assist Ukraine in its striving to defend itself; and providing support to Ukraine the world helps itself”.

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Ukraine General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak underscored it during interview with media representatives.

“Almost four years Russian Federation, terrorist groups it formed in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts have been failing to fulfill their Minsk obligations”, the Minister said, “The first clause, which is the basis of these agreements, is not fulfilled — the ceasefire is not observed. If we fulfill it, we can move forward. Unfortunately, there are some cases when there is a minimum quantity of attacks, but, generally, the ceasefire is not observed.”

According to him, the Russian leaders seek to transform its initiated aggression into frozen conflict.

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“The decolonisation forces should be deployed within the whole occupied territory, including at the part of Russia-Ukraine state border which is non-government controlled”, Gen. Poltorak underlined.

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“President Putin and Russia fully control two Army Corps that are part of the Southern Military District. They are systematically involved with those military forces; they have a unified training system, system of logistical support, sole system of combat use. These two Army Corps, which they have created, are fully responsible to the Russian Federation”, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said.

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According to the Minister of Defence, he knows some NATO members who joined the Alliance 20 years ago and who were once armed with completely Soviet technologies, but have not been fully rearmed for 20 years.

“I will give an example in one direction — anti-tank means. The Ukrainian defence and industrial complex has worked very well and produced finished products — modern anti-tank missile systems ‘Stugna’, ‘Corsar’, which meet all existing standards today. We have a tank threat from Donetsk and Luhansk, as the Russian Federation has more than 700 tanks on this territory”, said Minister of Defence.

for example, BTR-4E, which has passed more than 100 refinements during the modernization and test on the front line, in my opinion, today is one of the best in the world in its class”, said Stepan Poltorak.

“The same work is carried out both on anti-tank means and on unmanned aerial vehicles, electronic warfare stations, technical intelligence and air defence means, which are critically necessary for us to defend and protect our country”, Gen. Poltorak commented.

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The number of the Armed Forces in 2014 amounted to 150,000 people, and in 2017 — 255,000

In 2014, we did not have what to wear people in, there were no spare parts for equipment, there was no needed ammunition, training system, troops and pilots were unprepared. In general, there was a catastrophic situation and 5-6 thousand people were ready for combat use. But we managed to resolve these issues urgently, and to achieve certain gains in logistics”, said Stepan Poltorak.


“In 2017, it happened that we switched to a contract army, in the ATO area only contract service members are fighting. Only in the2016-2017, 110,000 people signed contract with the Armed Forces. We provided basic armament and equipment to all Armed Forces of Ukraine and began to form a Reserve Corps. Tank, artillery brigades, those who are ready to perform tasks in complicated situations. We have prepared a reserve of more than 150,000 people who have experience in conducting military operations”, said the Minister of Defence.


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15.01.2018

UKROBORONPROM FULFILLED STATE DEFENSE ORDER: 3673 UNITS OF weapons and military equipment TRANSFERRED

 

[Hindustani78]

Sunday, March 04. DONBAS – According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 8 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms near Krymske, grenade launchers near Luhanske, Novhorodske, Stanytsia Luhanska and Shchastia, small arms near Malynove.

Militants fired 120 mm mortars near Vodiane, 82 mm mortars near Pisky.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

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The ATO HQ press centre reports that the Ukrainian troops are ready to observe the ceasefire along the whole frontline in east of Ukraine.

The ATO troops observe every ceasefire agreement. Meanwhile, in case of danger for life and health of civil population, Ukrainian soldiers, as well as in case of provocations, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to respond and repel attacks.

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According to the ATO HQ press centre, the illegal armed formations supported by Russia plan to use armed provocations against Ukrainian soldiers and civil population.

They plan to shell simultaneously the Ukrainian positions and villages in non-government controlled territory. These provocations result from agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group on the ceasefire from the midnight March 5, 2018 (Kyiv time).

Occupants will try to charge the ATO forces of these attacks. Russian TV will shoot the video and spread it to discredit the Ukrainian army, military and political leaders.

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Monday, March 05. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 7 times over the past 24 hours.

The Russian occupational troops keep on shelling the Ukrainian positions using weapons forbidden by the Minsk agreements. The enemy used mortars and tank armament.

Occupants attacked the ATO positions near Luhanske with 120 mm mortars, near Shchastia with 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers and anti-air mount.

Militants fired 120 mm mortars on ATO positions near Pavlopil and Shyrokyne. The enemy also used tank armament, BMP, heavy machineguns and small arms. Moreover, militants shelled the ATO positions near Marinka with 120 mm mortars.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

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According to the ATO HQ press centre, at 01.00 a.m. the enemy has violated the agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group on the complete ceasefire.

The enemy used 82 mm mortars, automatic grenade launchers, and small arms near Shchastia, 82 mm near Troitske.

As of 08.00 a.m., there have been recorded 2 attacks. According to preliminary information, there are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

The Ukrainian troops observe the ceasefire, meanwhile, in case of danger for life and health of civil population, Ukrainian soldiers, as well as in case of provocations, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to respond and repel attacks.


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Minister of Defence of Ukraine General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said “The Law on Donbas Reintegration has been passed, it will contribute to reintegration of our territories as soon as possible”, the Minister of Defence of Ukraine said, “This law extends functions, tasks, rights and possibilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the framework of the anti-terror operation which is under reorganization now into the Joint Forces Operation.



05.03.2018

Since the beginning of hostilities in Donbas, 2,378 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed in action, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative in the Trilateral Contact Group's humanitarian subgroup, Iryna Gerashchenko, has said.

"During the years of the war, 2,378 Ukrainian servicemen, including four women, have been killed. During this time, 138 children have been killed in shelling or by landmines. Some 1,399 women have become widows, 2,217 women have lost their sons," Gerashchenko said at a media briefing in Odesa on Monday, March 5.

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[Hindustani78]

15:25 06.03.2018
Militants shell residential areas of Schastia, number of buildings damaged, no one hurt

Representatives of the Ukrainian side of the Joint Control and Coordination Center (JCCC) have registered the shelling of residential quarters in the village of Schastia (Luhansk region) from mortars and small arms, as a result of which houses and farm buildings of local residents were damaged, as well as a building of a kindergarten.

"The Ukrainian side of the JCCC informs that the militants of the Russian occupation administration, ignoring the agreements on the establishment of a truce from 00.01 on 05.03.2018 along the entire contact line in eastern Ukraine, passed by the Trilateral Contact Group on February 28, 2018, in Minsk, violated the truce," while using weapons prohibited by the Minsk agreements to shell residential areas of the village of Schastia," the Ukrainian side of the JCCC said on Tuesday.

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11:29 08.03.2018
Ukraine reports three attacks on its troops in Donbas, one Ukrainian soldier wounded in past day

Illegal armed formations mounted three attacks on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donbas, one Ukrainian soldier has been wounded in the past 24 hours, the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations has reported.

"In general, over the past day, the aggressor conducted three targeted attacks at the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one Ukrainian soldier was wounded by enemy fire. The state of our defender's health is satisfactory. He was taken to a military mobile hospital and provided with the necessary amount of medicines," the press center said on Facebook page on Thursday morning.

In the Luhansk section, the enemy fired using heavy anti-tank grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns near Luhansk and large-caliber machine guns near Troitske.

In the Donetsk section, militants from the temporarily occupied Staromykhailivka fired the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Krasnohorivka using small arms.

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Tuesday, March 06. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 3 times over the past 24 hours.

Occupants used 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms near Shchastia. Militants launched attacks against the Ukrainian positions near Troitske using 82 mm mortars and heavy machineguns.

The enemy fired hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms on ATO positions near Novotroitske.

One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.


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The Ukrainian party of JCCC informs that militants have violated the complete ceasefire and used weapons forbidden by the Minsk agreements against the residential quarters of Shchastia.

The pro-Russian militants used 82 mm mortars and small arms against the private houses in Shchastia destroying outside walls and breaking windows, damaging furniture and household appliances. Fortunately, there are no casualties among residents.

The Ukrainian troops have not responded to provocations. All these actions demonstrate the unwillingness of militants to observe the ceasefire and their interest in conflict escalation.

Ukrainian party of JCCC

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Wednesday, March 07. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the ceasefire for 3 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used anti-tank grenade launchers and heavy machineguns near Luhanske, automatic grenade launchers, and small arms near Malynove.

Militants launched attacks against the ATO positions near Avdiivka using grenade launchers and small arms.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed. We express condolences to families and relatives of the fallen hero of Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

11:47 09.03.2018
Ukrainian authorities detain one of Kyiv's captives exchange negotiators in Donbas

Ukrainian Prisoner Release Center head Volodymyr Ruban was detained at an entry-exit checkpoint in Donbas carrying weapons, Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons Heorhiy Tuka said on his Twitter page on Thursday evening.

"Ruban was detained at the Mayorsk checkpoint. Posing as a displaced person, this "general" tried to smuggle a whole arsenal of weapons," Tuka said.

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On Thursday, militants opened fire on the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine three times, as a result of which one serviceman died, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) headquarters reported.

"The Russian-occupation troops continue to fire at the positions of the ATO forces and disrupt the agreements of the Trilateral Contact Group about the ceasefire," reads the report posted on the Facebook page on Friday morning.

In the Luhansk sector, militants fired from grenade launchers and heavy machine guns at the defenders of Luhansk.

In the Donetsk sector, Ukrainian fortifications near Avdiyivka were shelled from 82-mm mortars.

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Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Hrytsak has said they prevented large-scale terrorist acts in Ukraine.

"We've managed to prevent large-scale terrorist attacks in Ukraine... Thousands of civilians could become its victims, as well as individual politicians, officials and people's deputies," the Security Service chief told reporters in Kyiv on Friday.

"The purpose of these large-scale terrorist attacks in Kyiv would be to destabilize the situation and show Ukraine to the world community as a 'territory of continuous chaos'," Hrytsak said.

He added that such destabilization of the situation was to demonstrate to the world that Ukraine is "a territory of continuous chaos, that there is a civil war here".

"This would give grounds for the Russian Federation to accuse Ukraine of such things, and also would give arguments to turn our European partners and other neighbors away from Ukraine," the head of the Security Service concluded.

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Hrytsak said that on March 6, 2018, Ruban entered through the Mayorsk checkpoint the territory of Donbas temporary beyond Ukrainian government control. "The service has substantiated evidence that terrorists Zakharchenko and Timofeyev, nicknamed Tashkent, are involved in preparing a bloody terrorist attack in the Ukrainian capital with the use of weapons, including Russian weapons," he said.

Speaking about the detention of Head of Prisoner Release Center Volodymyr Ruban in Donbas, Hrytsak said they had confiscated Kalashnikov assault rifles, Makarov pistols, grenades, silenced guns, mines, and cartridges from Ruban. In addition, the boxes with grenades had a packing letter from a 'DPR' military unit.

According to him, mortars were to be used to shoot at people in downtown Kyiv, "which would result in thousands of dead... there would have been chaos."

At the briefing, they played an audio recording, where the weapons carried by Ruban from the 'DPR' were listed.

After the publication of audio and video materials related to Ruban's criminal activities, Hrytsak said: "This is only a small part of what can be made public ... This is not a frame-up... We will provide documentary evidence."

At the same time, the SBU chief refused to give the names of those who may also be involved.

"When we announce suspicion to the next defendants ... we will make the evidence public... He [Ruban] was a pawn in the hands of others," Hrytsak said.

 

[Hindustani78]

19:02 13.03.2018
One Ukrainian soldier wounded since Tuesday morning

Militants have mounted three attacks on Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine since Tuesday morning, as a result of which one Ukrainian soldier has been wounded, the press center of the headquarters of Ukraine's military operations has reported.

"There have been three attacks on Ukrainian army positions since the beginning of the day…One Ukrainian soldier has been wounded in action. He has been hospitalized. His condition is satisfactory," the press center said on Facebook in an evening update as of 18:00 on March 13.

In particular, militants used grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns to shell Ukrainian positions near the village of Luhanske in Donetsk region's Bakhmutsky district. In the Donetsk sector, they also used 82mm mortars, large-caliber machine guns and small arms to fire at Ukrainian army positions near the village of Pisky in Yasynuvatsky district. In addition, they used small arms to fire at the defenders of Butivka coal mine.

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Monday, March 12. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 4 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used grenade launchers and heavy machineguns near Troitske, Luhanske, and Novozvanivka.

The Russian occupational troops fired heavy machineguns and small arms on the ATO positions near Verkhniotoretske.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed and three soldiers were wounded. We express condolences to family and relatives of the fallen hero.

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Tuesday, March 13. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 5 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms near Novhorodske and Luhanske.

Occupants launched attacks against the ATO positions near Pavlopil using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, BMP and 82 mm mortars near Vodiane, mortars and small arms near Avdiivka.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded.

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[Hindustani78]

Wednesday, March 14. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 4 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used grenade launchers and heavy machineguns near Luhanske, grenade launchers and small arms near Zalizne (ex Artemove), Donets oblast.

Militants fired 82 mm mortars, heavy machineguns, and small arms against the ATO positions near Pisky, small arms — near Butivka mine.

One Ukrainian soldier was injured.

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Thursday, March 15. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, over the past 24 hours, the ceasefire initiated by the Trilateral Contact Group from the midnight March 05 has been observed.

The Russian occupational troops did not attack the Ukrainian positions.

The situation along the demarcation line is under control of the Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian military observe the ceasefire.

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Friday, March 16. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 4 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms near Luhanske and Stanytsia Luhanska.

Occupants fired 82 mm mortars and small arms on ATO positions near Vodiane and Lebedynske.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

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US Embassy in Ukraine handed over 20 sets of Minelab metal detectors to the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine.

“We need to conduct a lot of qualitative mine action works in the east of Ukraine and ensure security of local population. Modern mine action equipment is necessary for it”, State Secretary of Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Col. Gen. Oleksandr Dublyan said.

According to Head of Administration of State Special Transport Service Lieutenant General Mykola Malkov, this equipment will increase the level of EOD units’ response to risks, as well as quality and security of mine action.

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Col. Maslovskyi briefed on J structures which had been already formed or were being formed within the Ukrainian Armed Forces such as J-1 — Personnel, J-2 — Intelligence, J-3 — Operations, J-4 — Logistics, J-5 — Defence Planning, J-6 — Communication and Information Systems, J-7 — Training and Exercises, J-8 — Resources and Finance, J-9 — Civil Military Cooperation.

According to the officer, in 2017, more than 100 combat military units were unified in order to optimize the structure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It allowed increasing capabilities of commands and combat military units and doubled potential of artillery units.

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President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko visited recently liberated village of Katerynivka, Luhansk region.

The Head of State talked to local residents and asked about their problems. They told the President they wanted peace more than anything.

“That is why I decided to come to Katerynivka. This is a symbol of peace, liberation without a single gunshot by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. So that there will be no Russian or separatist troops. To defend civilians of Katerynivka,” Petro Poroshenko noted.

He also noted the importance of deploying the UN peacekeeping mission that will allow to disarm the illegal armed groups, confiscate all the weapons and return them to Russia.

“We need to finally begin peaceful construction here. We will do everything possible to achieve peace as soon as possible,” the President said.

The President also emphasized that the mobile ATM of Oschadbank would be brought to Katerynivka every week, so that local residents can receive salaries and pensions.

“To restore normal peaceful life. So that they cannot call Katerynivka a grey zone. We are not going to put up with that. It is not a grey zone,” Petro Poroshenko stressed.

The Head of State noted: “Here is our flag and we will never give this land and these people to anyone. That is why I am here with you today”.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief also visited the military on the frontline.

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President, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko visited Zolote checkpoint, located 300 meters away from the touch line.

According to him, this checkpoint is one of four checkpoints where the Ukrainian party offered to create proper conditions to improve the crossing of the touch line and guarantee normal attitude to people, including those living in the occupied territories. Petro Poroshenko told that the Ukrainian side had done everything possible to equip the passport control points, fiscal service points, provide mobile banking on the checkpoint, so that pensioners from the occupied territory can come and receive pensions, purchase foodstuff. He also noted that here, the foodstuff is 30-50% cheaper than in the occupied territory.

“Everything is done. But look, occupied territories are 300 meters away, they have been disrupting the fulfillment of obligations for almost a year and do not allow the passage of people and vehicles. Moreover, for them, the worse the better. Now, in the presence of the President, Minister of Defense, Head of the Border Service, you can see that the Ukrainian side is fully ready for the launch of the checkpoint,” the President emphasized.

According to him, as soon as the Ukrainian side announces the opening date, the other side shoots with small arms wounding Ukrainian border guards, servicemen and those who tried to cross the border.

Answering the question about the arguments of the opposite party regarding their reluctance to open the checkpoint, the President noted: “What are their arguments about the presence of the occupying Russian troops there? What are their arguments about shooting Ukrainians? A normal person cannot understand them. They tried to blame us for something”.

“It is extremely important for the entire world to see that the Ukrainian President stands here, that we are complying with the agreements we have undertaken. We are doing our best to alleviate the lives of people who have found themselves in the occupied territory as a result of the Russian aggression,” Petro Poroshenko added.

The Head of State emphasizes that Ukrainian border guards and military stay on the checkpoint risking their lives to ensure normal life of citizens. According to him, there is the village of Katerynivka not far from this checkpoint. He visited this village and local residents met him saying: “Thank God, Ukraine has come here”.

The President instructed to ensure medical treatment on the checkpoint and resolve the issue of school buses. “We must ensure normal life of people in the liberated territories,” the President said. According to him, the arrival of mobile medical groups, in particular dentists, ophthalmologists has been already organized.

“It is not due to the visit of the President, governor, NSDC Secretary of ministers. This must be done every day,” he concluded.

 

[Hindustani78]

Tuesday, March 20. DONBAS – According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 1 time over the past 24 hours.

Militants used small arms against the Ukrainian positions near Novohryhorivka. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.

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Wednesday, March 21. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 5 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used grenade launchers and heavy machineguns near Pisky, grenade launchers and anti-tank rifle against the Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka.

Militants fired small arms on the Ukrainian positions near Stanytsia Luhanska, 82 mm mortars and anti-air mount near Troitske. The enemy fired 82 mm mortars on positions near Luhanske.

One Ukrainian soldier was wounded, one soldier was injured.

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According to the HQ press centre in east of Ukraine, militants keep on violating the ceasefire at the site (Stanytsia Luhanska village, Luhansk oblast) where the disengagement of forces is expected to be executed. Yesterday, about 07.25 p.m., the pro-Russian mercenaries attacked the Ukrainian positions with small arms.

The Ukrainian party of the Joint Ceasefire Control Centre informed the OSCE SMM about it.

This attack demonstrates the unwillingness of militants to leave the occupied positions.

The Ukrainian forces are ready for disengagement at this site — Stanytsia Luhanska village — in case of strict observance of the requirements of the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group.


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Thursday, March 22. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the comprehensive termless ceasefire of March 5 agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group was observed over the past 24 hours.

The pro-Russian proxies did not shell the Ukrainian positions.

The situation along the frontline is under control of the Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian soldiers strictly observe the ceasefire.

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Friday, March 23. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the comprehensive termless ceasefire of March 5 agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group has been observed over the past 24 hours.

The Ukrainian military keep on observing the ceasefire. The situation along the frontline is under control of the Ukrainian defenders.

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Monday, March 26. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 44 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 120 mm mortars against the Ukrainian positions near Opytne, Lebedynske, and Shyrokyne, 82 mm mortars and tank near Pisky. Militants also fired 82 mm mortars on positions near Talakivka, grenade launchers — near Avdiivka, Bohdanivka, Novotroitske, Vodiane, Butivka mine, heavy machineguns against the Ukrainian govt positions near Verkhniotoretske and Pavlopil. Occupants used BMP against the Ukrainian positions near Hnutove, small arms near Butivka mine, Kamianka, Marinka, and Krasnohorivka.

Militants fired grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms on the Ukrainian positions near Novhorodske, heavy machineguns near Troitske.

One Ukrainian soldier was killed, one soldier was injured.

We express condolences to the family and relatives of the fallen hero of Ukraine.

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Tuesday, March 27. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 47 times over the past 24 hours.

Militants used 82 mm mortars and grenade launchers near Avdiivka. The enemy fired grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and small arms on the Ukrainian positions near Vodiane. Militants launched attacks using grenade launchers near Butivka mine and Kamianka, heavy machineguns near Pavlopil, Pisky, and Verkhniotoretske, small arms near Marinka, Avdiivka, Shyrokyne, Talakivka, and Hnutove.

The pro-Russian proxies used grenade launchers and heavy machineguns near Luhanske and Troitske, BMP and machineguns — near Novhorodske, small arms — near Stanytsia Luhanska.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

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According to the ATO HQ press centre, the situation in east of Ukraine is escalating. Militants violate the ceasefire and increase attacks in Donetsk direction using the weaponry to be withdrawn from the demarcation line.

Over the past 3 days, the pro-Russian proxies have violated the ceasefire for 100 times. The enemy’s snipers targeted the Ukrainian positions, too.

At the midnight, March 26, occupants executed provocations against the Ukrainian positions near Stanytsia Luhanska to prevent the withdrawal of forces.

The Ukrainian military strictly observe the ceasefire.

 

[Hindustani78]

Thursday, March 29. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the HQ in the east of Ukraine, the enemy has violated the comprehensive termless ceasefire for 54 times over the past 24 hours.

The enemy used 122 mm artillery against the Ukrainian positions near Shyrokyne, 120 and 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers, heavy machineguns, and BMP — near Pavlopil and Hnutove, 82 mm mortars near Vodiane and Pisky. Militants launched attacks against the Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, Novotroitske, Opytne, Kamianka, Shyrokyne, Talakivka, and Pisky. Moreover, occupants fired heavy machineguns on Ukrainian positions near Marinka, small arms on positions near Butivka mine and Novomykhailivka.

The pro-Russian proxies shelled the Ukrainian positions near Katerynivka with 82 mm mortars and heavy machineguns, near Shchastya with grenade launchers and heavy machineguns.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

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The ATO HQ press centre states that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready to implement and observe the Easter ceasefire since the midnight March 30.

The Ukrainian units observe the Minsk agreements and are ready to ensure fulfilment of conditions to support comprehensive ceasefire since March 30 at 00:01 (Kyiv time) along the whole frontline.

The ATO HQ press centre reminds that the Ukrainian troops strictly observe all the agreements regarding the ceasefire. Meanwhile, in case of danger for life and health of civilians, personnel of the Ukrainian military units, provocations executed by militants of occupational administration of Russian Federation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to respond immediately.

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