Kyiv, July 20, 2015. In the Donetsk sector, Russia-backed militants have continued using heavy artillery in the areas of Svitlodarsk and Horlivka, while applying new tactics for conducting artillery fire along the frontline. Militant groups shelled our positions near Lozove with 152-mm cannons – they fired not only from the southern sector, but from the western sector, namely from the town of Holmivsky, located on the 10 km from the Svitlodarsk pond.
Ukrainian forces deployed to the North, West and South-West of Horlivka came under enemy mortar and artillery fire. On the western outskirts of Donetsk, combat actions continue incessantly – pro-Russian militants are fighting with all available types of weapons except multiple rocket launchers. The intensity of enemy fire has considerably increased near and on the outskirts of Maryinka, mostly involving small arms. In Berezove village, a woman was wounded by an enemy mortar attack.
In the Luhansk sector, the militants made a series of evening attacks on the positions of Ukrainian forces in areas of Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska using grenade launchers, enemy mortars and anti-aircraft mounts. There were civilian casualties. The ceasefire regime was fully observed on the front between Stary Aidar and Popasna.
In the Mariupol sector, pro-Russian militants instigated several short-lasting small arms provocations at night all across the frontline, namely on the routes to Dokuchayevsk, Telmanove and Mariupol. Also, enemy snipers were observed in Hranitne.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred no casualties over the last day, though five servicemen were wounded in action near Horlivka and Donetsk. Based on reports from ATO Staff, Russia-backed militants conducted a series of artillery attacks in occupied territories on July 18, in which residential houses and a local hospital were damaged.
Ukraine’s Security Service prevented a terrorist act in Shchastya. Law enforcers discovered a homemade explosive device in the basement of an apartment building. The explosive was composed of two anti-tank TM-62M mines, a TNT block and detonators. Reports indicate that the “LPR” is suspected in the crime.
In Brovary and Irpin, Kyiv region, law enforcement detained the ring-leaders of an illegal weapons trade network, seizing over 20 combat grenades, a large number of Australian-, U.S.- and locally produced small arms, as well as over forty thousand rounds.
In Krasnoarmiysk, the searching of a house and parking garages of an area local resulted in the seizure of two Kalashnikov rifles, a Makarov rifle, five kilograms of explosive and almost 800 rounds for various types of weapons.
In Zaporizhia region, law enforcement detained a pro-Russian militant from the “Vostok” militant cell. The Donetsk region local was trained at militant camps in Khartsyzsk and Yenakieve, took part in the patrol of cities in the occupied territories and worked as an armed guard at checkpoints.
