For the past 24 hours there were more than 50 attacks by Russian-terrorist forces. In particular, in the following directions:
• Donetsk – 26 attacks;
• Luhansk – 15;
• Debaltseve – 7;
• Pervomaisk – 4.
Fierce fighting continues around the Donetsk airport and near Avdiivka. After regrouping and building up their forces, Russian-terrorist troops carried out a number of attacks, in a flank strike by several assault teams supported by armored vehicles, and provided cover by artillery fire. Ukrainian troops, in turn, performed artillery strikes on the gathering and attacking enemy formations, and successfully disrupted the assaults. Nevertheless, the enemy performed active mortar strikes in the area of the airport, near Pisky village, and to the south of Avdiivka.
Near Debaltseve, an unidentified unit fired upon and attacked a composite task group that is part of one of the Russian army’s motorized infantry divisions, while the task group was moving to its combat position area. There are casualties and wounded; two units of equipment were destroyed.
Also in the area of Debaltseve, the enemy is working to increase its contingent, deploying additional armaments and combat equipment to the area, through Krasnyi Luch. We have reports of a minimum of 2 supply convoys, which included towed artillery systems (up to a total of 12 units of artillery equipment).
The enemy is deploying “batches” of armored vehicles (including tanks, 3-4 units at a time) to the area of Stanytsia Luhanska. The armored vehicles are being deployed from the Russian border, by bounds and thoroughly camouflaged, provided cover by artillery fire on the positions of Ukrainian troops. At the same time, the enemy’s mobile groups in the area, reinforced by armored vehicles, are trying to force Ukrainian troops backwards, away from the Siverskyi Donets river, alternating shelling and attempted assaults. Enemy tanks are deployed occasionally, mainly to reinforce infantry groups (up to 1-2 units). Terrorist mortar details are highly active in this area.
Near Novoazovsk, one of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups, while leaving the territory controlled by Ukrainian force, was discovered and fired upon by Ukrainian troops. Rushing to reach the insurgent-controlled territory, the group encountered its own mine obstacles. There are casualties and wounded.
Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group http://cmps.org.ua/
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine http://maidantranslations.com/
