Ukrainian troops counter over 50 militant attacks in last day

Donbas militants have recently shelled Ukrainian army strongholds, using all kinds of weapons, including those banned by the Minsk agreements.

The hostiles have conducted 52 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas over the past day, the army operation press center wrote on Facebook on Thursday morning.

The militants attacked strongholds in Zaitseve and Avdiyivka "by use of all kinds of weapons, including 82mm and 120mm mortars banned by the Minsk agreements; more than 130 mines were fired," the report said.

The enemy was firing anti-tank systems on strongholds near Popasna and Troyitske; the use of infantry combat vehicles was observed near Luhanske and three similar incidents happened near Avdiyivka, the staff said.

The militants fired grenade launchers and large-caliber machineguns on Ukrainian army positions in Novhorodske and Mayorsk, the report said.

Ukrainian army positions near Shyrokyne in the Mariupol sector came under 82mm mortar fire, MANPADS and small arms, the staff said.

Besides, hostile snipers fired on positions near Nevelske, Maryinka and Kranohorivka, the Ukrainian staff said.

About ten members of a hostile reconnaissance and sabotage team tried to infiltrate behind Ukrainian army positions near Popasna at 19:15 local time; they were seen by an observer, the Ukrainian soldiers fired for effect and forced the enemy to retreat, the report said.

The shelling stopped at midnight, it said.