REUTERS
Russian-backed insurgents have started to desert from frontline positions along the Mariupol to Donetsk highway, between the villages of Novotroitsk and Olenivka, head of the Information Resistance group Dmytro Tymchuk wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday.
"Only a few people continue to stay at the checkpoints," he said.
At the same time, a significant formation of insurgents has been observed near Dokuchaievsk, between the two villages and to the east, which Tymchuk said included more than 200 Russian mercenaries.
"This formation is armed with several artillery systems, up to six units, and 10 armored fighting vehicles," Tymchuk said.
At the same time, four mobile mixed groups of insurgents have been working in the same area, between the villages of Olenivka and Hranitne, using civilian vehicles as transport.
These groups consist of mortar crews, snipers and grenade launcher teams, Tymchuk said.