During the past 24 hours, a sharp surge in the activity of Russian-terrorist forces has been recorded in Donbas. The number of fire strikes on the positions of ATO forces has increased; illegal armed groups have also made several unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of the Ukrainian troops.
Russian troops and the terrorists fired from 152- and 122-mm artillery systems, 82-mm and 120-mm caliber mortars. They also used tanks, armored vehicles, all kinds and types of both light and heavy infantry weapons. In addition to the positions of ATO forces, the terrorists launched aimed fire onto [civilian] settlements.
The situation is heating up in the Artemivsk direction, where new insurgents units were earlier deployed to the flanks. During the past 24 hours, terrorists have fired at Ukrainian positions near Shyroka Balka, Luhanske, Zolote, Katerynivka, and Svitlodarsk.
The situation in the area has been aggravated between the settlements of Popasna and Orikhove. Positions of Ukrainian troops and their strongholds succumbed to massive mortar and artillery bombardment practically along the entire length of this area, including the town of Popasna and the village of Katerynivka. During the long firefight with the ATO forces division defending Katerynivka, terrorists from the “Pryzrak” [Ghost] gang made an unsuccessful attempt to surround the stronghold from the flanks. Ukrainian troops promptly identified and stopped the advancement of the infantry units of this illegal armed group.
Russian-terrorist forces have escalated in the vicinity of Hranitne, Novohryhorivka, and Starohnativka. The positions of Ukrainian troops were repeatedly fired at with 82- and 120-mm mortars and Zu-23-2 anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. Four BMP-2 fired at a stronghold of the ATO forces from standard weapons in the vicinity of Trokhizbenka and Sokilnyky.
Shellings and firefights have also been recorded near Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Pisky, and Mariinka. A sharp increase in enemy sniper fire has been observed in several areas at once.
On movements of units and military equipment:
At least two 11-12-vehicle convoys with covered transport have been recorded moving through Luhansk towards Krasnodon and Rovenky. Later, another convoy of 20 vehicles, including three buses with armed personnel, has been observed heading in the same direction.
Transfer of military equipment, weapons and ammunition for the needs of insurgents continues through the railway stations of Krasnodon and Ilovaisk. The arrival of eight tarped platforms with tracked vehicles has been observed in Ilovaisk.
The transfer of four units of TOR-M1 surface-to-air missile systems and radar reconnaissance systems has been recorded in the area between Yenakijeve and Horlivka. The relocation of air defense systems (currently in the service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation) was carried out without any disguise.
The movement of a mixed “mechanized infantry” company of insurgents with 14 ACVs has been observed on a highway between Starobesheve and Telmanove.
A group of Russian-terrorist forces in the vicinity of the Yasynuvata junction has been reinforced with two T-72 tanks, six BMP-2, two MT-LB and a “Strela-10″ SAM within the past 24 hours.
In addition, a significant movement of motor vehicles within Donetsk, mainly in the Kyivskyi and Petrovskyi districts of the city, as well as south of Luhansk between Dokuchajevsk and Olenivka has been observed.
