Kyiv, August 31, 2015. The ceasefire in the East of Ukraine held yesterday. It was the first time in many days that no shelling was recorded in numerous hotspots – in Stanytsia Luhanska, Schastya, Zolote, Popasna, Maryinka and the entirety of Mariupol sector. It is the second day in a row that the enemy has not deployed heavy weapons, mortars and armor. Moreover, there were no losses amongst the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the past 24 hours.
The situation escalated north of Bakhmutivska road. Militants delivered fire from grenade launchers for 15 minutes near Tryokhizbenka, from the opposite bank of the Siverskyi Donets river.
The situation was comparatively severe near Svitlodarsk. Up to seven armed provocations with the use of small arms and grenade launchers occurred on Ukrainian frontline positions near Lozove and Luhanske. Only one armed incident was observed near Horlivka where militants fired using light arms. It was calm in the area between Horlivka and Yasynuvata yesterday. Combat activity in the vicinity of Donetsk took place only on the frontline from Avdiyivka to Pisky. Shots were delivered at night.
Militants did not shell Ukrainian positions in the Mariupol sector yesterday. Two Ukrainian troops were injured as a result of a booby trap explosion during combat mission.
Five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in combat in the past 24 hours.
Five flights by militants’ unmanned aerial vehicles were observed in the ATO zone.
Ukraine’s Security Service seized two large arsenals of illegal weapons in Luhansk region. It was established that the weapons were planned to be smuggled out of the ATO area to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine. One cache was located near Bakhmutivka where a vehicle carrying an under-barrel grenade, TNT blocks, anti-infantry mines, hand grenades and cartridges have been found. The second batch has been seized in on the premises of an abandoned factory in Polovynkyne. Law enforcement found 33 kilograms of TNT blocks, 43 grenade launchers, seven rockets for Grad multiple rocket launchers, large numbers of light arms and cartridges.
Note: This text is a transcript of the official briefing of the spokesperson of Administration of the President of Ukraine on ATO-related issues. Uaposition can not change the wording and terms used by the spokesperson. We disagree with the used terms “Russian backed militants” and “Pro Russian terrorist” instead of “Russian troops” and “Russian terrorists”. However, this is official terminology of Ukrainian authorities because as of now Ukrainian authorities don’t recognize Russia as a Party to the Conflict in Ukraine and don’t severs diplomatic relations and economic cooperation.
