One Ukrainian soldier killed on Dec 19 in Popasna district in militant shelling

A Ukrainian serviceman died on December 19 in shelling by militants of Novotoshkivske, Popasna district, Luhansk Regional Military Civil Administration said.

"Yesterday morning, the enemy opened fire at the outskirts of the village of Novotoshkivske, using 120mm and 82mm mortars, as well as anti-tank grenade launchers. Unfortunately, Ukraine again lost its defender," Luhansk Regional Administration Head Yuriy Harbuz said on Facebook page on Wednesday.

Last day militants violated the ceasefire along the contact line three times.

In the area of Troyitske and Novoaleksandrivka villages of the Popasna district, the enemy used 120-mm and 82-mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, heavy machine guns and small arms.

Militants fired from small arms on the positions of the ATO forces near the town of Stanytsia Luhanska.

The Ukrainian military had to return fire, the regional administration said.

In the morning, the ATO press center reported two Ukrainian soldiers killed in the anti-terrorist operation zone as a result of a shelling.