REUTERS
The combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 42 times in the past 24 hours, including 27 times in the Donetsk sector and 15 times in the Mariupol sector, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) reported on Friday.
Having reduced their military activity near the town of Avdiyivka and the Donetsk airport, from 17:00 local time, the Russian-backed mercenaries increased the number of attacks on the Ukrainian fortified positions in the vicinity of other settlements across the demarcation line.
It is noted that the militants fired 82mm mortars near the village of Luhanske, having launched about 200 mines, as well as infantry combat vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, grenade launchers of various systems and large-caliber machine guns.
Read alsoATO HQ: 52 attacks on Ukraine troops in last dayThe Russian-backed terrorists fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, as well as machine guns and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Zaitseve.
The occupiers also opened fire from grenade launchers and machine guns near the village of Mayorsk.
"In the Mariupol sector, the militants fired 120mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian positions near the village of Novotroyitske. In addition, they fired mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the villages of Shyrokyne and Vodiane," the press center said.
Read alsoTrain with ammo from Russia arrives in Ilovaysk – Ukraine IntelIn addition, the militants fired small arms several times near the town of Maryinka.
From midnight, the intensity of shelling has not declined. The militants have already attacked ATO forces 10 times.