Timeline
1 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 58 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 30 June. [2] [3] [4] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and four others were wounded in the Donbass region during the last day of June. [5] [6] [7] Around Donetsk city, rebel troops opened fire on Ukrainian outposts around Toretske, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Avdiivka. North of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces were shelled near Novotroitsk. [8] Separatist sources said that two of their soldiers and three civilians were killed over the past week. [9] The same sources claimed that the Ukrainian military fired heavy weapons 14 times throughout the day. The main targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve, Zhabicheve, Vasilivka, Spartak, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [10]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 15 occasions. Eleven incidents occurred around the town of Horlivka and in the outskirts of Donetsk city, where banned 122 mm self-propelled artillery was fired by rebel forces. The strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske were struck by 82 mm mortar fire. The separatists fired small arms, sniper rifles, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Ukrainian redoubts in Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Novhorodske. Heavy shelling was reported at Shyrokyne, Starohnativka and Novotroitske, in the region of Mariupol. [11] [12]
2 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions on the first day of July, [13] [14] [15] including on one occasion in Luhansk Oblast. [16] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours. [16] Separatist sources said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on their positions 521 times on the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Vasilivka, Novhorodske, Ozeryanivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novomariivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [17]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 23 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day; no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast. West of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka and Maryinka were pounded by 120 mm mortar barrages. Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka were fired at from rocket launchers. In the region of Horlivka, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, while Maiorsk was the target of rocket propelled grenades. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske and Novoselivka. In the area of Mariupol, rebel troops fired 120 mm mortars at Ukrainian outposts in Novotroitske and Berezove. Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske were also harassed by sniper fire. Shyrokyne and Starohnativka were struck by 82 mm mortar rounds. [18] [19]
3 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 69 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 2 July. [20] [21] [22] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [23] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast. [23] Pro-Russian officials reported 425 attacks on their forces over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The targets were rebel positions at Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Oleksandrivka, Staromyhailivka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [24] The same sources claimed that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 19 occasions on pro-Russian redoubts at Luhansk Oblast. [25]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the separatists shelled Nevelske with 120 mm mortars, while Maryinka was the target of 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka received sniper fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Horlivka, 120 mm mortar barrages struck Novhorodske and Maiorsk. Around Mariupol, 122 mm self-propelled artillery was used to shell Lebedynske and Talakivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces fired at Ukrainian troops in Novotoshkivka and Novooleksandrivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. [26]
4 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [27] [28] [29] At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours. [30] [31] Pro-Russian authorities denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 345 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian army attacked rebel outposts at Vasilivka, Zaitseve, Dokuchaievsk, Holmivskiy, Vesele, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Kominternove, Mineralne, Sakhanka, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [32]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. In the region of Horliva, the stronghold of Zaitseve was struck by small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar volleys. The rebels also used 120 mm to shell Ukrainian positions around Novhorodske, Kirove, Toretske and Zhelezne. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk, supported by 82 mm mortar barrages. West of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka was the target of 120 mm mortars and small arms fire was reported at Maryinka. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was shelled from 120 mm mortars, while Pavlopil became the target of rocket launchers. In the northern front, the separatist used again 120 mm mortarfire to hit Ukrainian positions, this time near Novozvanivka. [33]
5 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 63 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day. [34] [35] [36] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and thirteen wounded in action in the Donbass region. [37] [38] Separatist officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 438 occasions over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were pro-Russian redoubts at Mykhailivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Vasilivka, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Donetsk airport and Kuibyshev, Kirov, and Petrovsky districts. Two soldiers and two civilians from Kuibyshev were wounded by Ukrainian shelling. [39] According to the Russian government owned news agency TASS two civilians were injured in the area controlled by the so-called Donetsk People's Republic during the same period of time; no casualties were reported in the area controlled by the so-called Lugansk People's Republic. [40]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm 26 attacks on their positions had taken place. Around Donetsk city, Pro-Russian forces opened fire with 82 mm mortars on Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and with heavy machine guns, rocket launchers at Pisky. Krasnohorivka, Butivka mining complex and Maryinka were the target of 120 mm mortar volleys, while Nevelske was shelled from 122 mm self-propelled artillery. In the region of Horlivka, rebel troops pounded Zaitseve with 120 mm mortar fire and Luhanske with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Near Mariupol, 122 mm self-propelled artillery struck Ukrainian defences at Starohnativka, Hnutove and Talakivka. The stronghold of Shyrokyne received 120 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Berezove were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern front, hostile fire was reported at Novooleksandrivka. [41] [42] [43]
6 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [44] [45] [46] Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and ten others wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours. [47] Separatist sources reported that the Ukrainian military opened fire on their positions on 402 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian weapons were aimed at Zaitseve, Spartak, Yasynuvata, Lebyazhe, Zhabicheve, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [48]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, 122 mm artillery rounds landed in Lebedynske, while Shyrokyne was the target of 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Starohnativka were harassed with small arms fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk, rebel forces fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Opytne, Verkhnyotoretske and Nevelske. Around Horlivka, the separatists pounded Ukrainian redoubts at Zaitseve and Maiorsk with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar fire respectively. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian troops executed harassing fire on Ukrainian troops at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka. [49] Later in the evening, Ukrainian volunteers reported two soldiers killed and three wounded in Avdiivka as a result of heavy shelling. [50]
7 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 57 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day. [51] [52] [53] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in action in the Donbass region on 6 July. [54]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 20 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Opytne, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in nearby Troitske. Avdiivka was the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Maryinks and Butivka mining complex were hit by rocket propelled grenades. North of Horlivka, rebel forces fired 120 mm mortars and antitank guided missiles on Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was shelled from 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Vodiane, Berezove and Bohdanivka were harassed with small arms fire. [55]
United Nations' Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović, who addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, reported a figure of 31,350 casualties during the conflict, including some 9,500 people killed. [56]
8 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [57] [58] [59] At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in action in Donbass region on 7 July. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured by explosive devices. [60] [61] Pro-Russian officials reported three soldiers and seven civilians killed as a result of the hostilities over the past week. [62] Sources from Luhansk People's Republic recorded 20 Ukrainian violations of the truce. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian positions at Kalinove, Kaloinivka, Lopzove, Lohvynove and Sanzharivka. [63]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 19 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. There were ten attacks around the cities of Donetsk and Horlivka, eight around Mariupol and one in the northern section of the demarcation line. In the surroundings of Donetsk, rebel forces shelled Troitske with 120 mm mortar barrages and fired antiaircraft artillery at Ukrainian positions in Opytne. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Maryinka, where hostile sniper activity was also reported, while Avdiivka and Pisky were the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Around the town of Horlivka, Maiorsk was struck by 120 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were targeted by small arms and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novohryhorivka, while 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Starohnativka. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the separatists fired grenade launchers at Ukrainian forces in Stanitsya Luhanska. [64] [65]
9 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 72 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day. [66] [67] [68] [69] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 8 July. [70] [71] After midnight, at around 04:00 am Ukrainian positions at Troitske were heavily shelled. [70] Separatist sources recorded 585 Ukrainian attacks on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The Ukrainian military opened fire on Mykhailivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Ozeryanivka, Zhabunki, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [72] Authorities from Luhansk People's Republic reported 118 Ukrainian violations of the truce over the past week, [73] 22 of them on 8 July. According to the report, Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalynivka and Lohvynove, in the latter case with the support of automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery from Mironovskiy. Lozove was the target of 120 mm mortar rounds and antitank guided missiles, while Kalinove was shelled by Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars from Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka. Ukrainian forces from Troikhizbenka fired small arms and automatic grenade launchers at rebel troops in Sokolniki. [74]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 17 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. Rebel forces focused their activities on Luhanske, north of Horlivka, which was the target of 122 mm self-propelled guns and 120 mm mortars. Mortar volleys also landed in Novoselivka and Svetlodarsk, in the same area. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the rebels fired heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and Buyivka mining complex. In the region of Marupol, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske were under fire from rocket launchers, while Ukrainian positions at Novohryhorivka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Talkivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Stanitsya Luhanska and Novooleksandrivka. [75] [76]
10 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [77] [78] [79] Andriy Lysenko reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and sixteen wounded in action in Donbass region on 9 July. [80] [81] Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 566 occasions on their positions. The Ukrainian military targeted pro-Russian forces at Krutaya Balka, Holmivskiy, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Kominternove and the outskirts of Donetsk city. Four civilians were wounded at Zaitseve. [82] In the territory controlled by the so-called Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on ten occasions using small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were the settlements of Kalynivka, Lohvynove, Lozove Pervomaisk and the surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska. [83]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 41 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, heavy shelling was reported at Nikolaevka, where Ukrainian troops were pounded with 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire. Shyrokyne and Hnutove were struck by 82 mm mortar rounds. Small arms fire was reported at Berezove, Bohdanivka and Talakivka. Around Horlivka, 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Novhorodske and Maiorsk. The Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve and Artemove were the target of 82 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Luhanske received small arms fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Pisky was shelled from 120 mm mortars. Avdiivka, Marinka and Krasnohorivka were meanwhile hit by 82 mm mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Novooleksandrivka and Stanitsya Luhanska, in the northern front. [84] [85]
11 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 94 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day. [86] [87] [88] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and ten others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 10 July. [89] [90] In addition, two Ukrainian servicemen received a contusion and one soldier was injured by explosion of an explosive device, Lysenko added. [89] [90] [91] According to separatist officials, Ukrainian forces opened fire on 601 occasions on pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zheleznaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Spartak, Dokuchaievsk, Yasynuvata, Zaitseve, Myhailivka, Staromyhailivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Zaichenko, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [92] There were 27 Ukrainian army attacks on pro-Russian positions in the territory of Luhansk People's Republic using small arms, automatic grenade launchers, rocket launchers, recoilless antitank guns, antiaircraft artillery, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The main flashpoint was the village of Kalinove, shelled by Ukrainian tanks from Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka. The rebel strongholds of Sanzharivka, Lohvynove, Lozove, Kalynivka, Sokolniki and the southern surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska were also under fire. [93]
The ATO HQ reported that in the night of 11 July an attempt to cross the demarcation line near Troitske was made by a group of reconnaissance of about 23 members; as a result three of the wounded fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces. One of the prisoners, a citizen of Omsk, died of wounds shortly after. [94] Russia expressed its concern over participation of NATO-trained Ukrainian troops in the operation in Donbass. [95] US Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry is due to visit Moscow this week to discuss Syria, Ukraine. [96]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ said in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Heavy shelling was reported on Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line. Rebel forces used 122 mm self-propelled guns and 120 mm mortars. The separatists also fired small arms and antitank rockets at Stanitsya Luhanska. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka was pounded by heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar barrages. Butivka mining complex was fired at from grenade launchers, and Maryinka from small arms. Hostile snipers and 82 mm mortars teams attacked Ukrainian forces at Krasnohorivka. In the area of Mariupol, 82 mm rounds landed in Slavne. Sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Novohryhorivka. [97] [98]
12 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [99] [100] [101] At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four wounded in action in Donbass region on 11 July. [102] Pro-Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire 531 times in violation of the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were pro-Russian positions around Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasynuvata, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Oktyabr, Sosnovska, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [103] Ukrainian forces opened fire on 16 occasions on pro-Russian redoubts in the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army attacked Hurty, Kalynivka, Lozove, Molodezhne, Kalinove and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. [104]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 22 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Horlivka, the settlements of Semyhirya, Zaitseve and Novoselivka were the target of 120 mm mortar volleys, while Novhorodske, was shelled from 82 mm mortars. East of Mariupol, rocket propelled grenades landed in Shyrokyne, while Nikolaevka, in the north, was hit by 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian positions with the support of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Avdiivka was struck by 120 mm mortar fire, and Ukrainian troops at Troitske received heavy machine gun fire. Sniper activity was reported at Maryinka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel troops fired small arms at Stanitsya Luhanska and Krymske. [105] [106]
13 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 41 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day. [107] [108] [109] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 12 July. [110] [111] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 324 times on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two pro-Russian soldiers were reported killed in action and other two wounded. [112] In Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military carried out six attacks on rebel troops. Around Stanitsya Luhanska, separatist positions were hit three times by small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske shelled pro-Russian redoubts at Kalynivka. Pervomaisk was the target of 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Popasna. [113]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. The rebels shelled Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Opytne, west of Donetsk, with 122 mm self-propelled guns and 82 mm mortars. The nearby stronghold of Avdiivka was struck by 120 mm and 82 mm mortar barrages, and 82 mm mortar rounds also landed in Krasnohorivka and Maryinka. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Bohdanivka, Starohnativka and Novohryhorivka, while Talakivka received 82 mm mortar fire. The separatist fired rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodiane and heavy machine guns at Hranitne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the Ukrainian stronghold of Stanitsya Luhanska was struck by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. [114] [115]
14 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol. [116] [117] [118] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in Donbass region on 13 July. [119] In addition two Ukrainian servicemen were injured by explosions of explosive devices, Lysenko added. [119] Pro-Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian forces launched 449 attacks on their positions. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Olenivka, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [120] Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces opened fired on 17 occasions within the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, rocket propelled grenades, antiaircraft cannons, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian redoubts at Lozove, Kalinove, Slavyanoserbsk, Holubovske, Zholobok, Donetskiy, Molodezhne, Mariivka, Kalinove and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska. [121]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, the defenders of Avdiivka were the target of heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Krasnohorivka was struck by 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The rebels fired 120 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled guns at Marinka. Butivka mining complex was shelled by armoured fighting vehicles. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles also attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka, supported by heavy machine gun fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Shyrokyne and Novotroitske, and small arms fire was reported at Hranitne. In the northern front, Ukrainian forces at Novooleksandrivka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire, and hostile snipers were active at Troitske. [122]
A new UN report – that was prepared by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and released on Thursday 14 July – estimates that between mid-April 2014 and 31 May 2016, at least 9,404 people, of which up to 2,000 are civilians, have been killed as a result of the conflict. [123] [124] By early June 2016, the number of non-combat fatalities among Ukrainian servicemen had reached 1,294. [125]
15 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 64 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day, including on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol. [126] [127] [128] [129] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 12 July. Pro-Russian authorities reported two soldiers killed and two wounded throughout the week, while one civilian died and another eleven were injured during the same period. [130] The Ukrainian army opened fire on 12 occasions on rebel positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles attacked pro-Russian redoubts near the Knyaz Igor memorial, in the surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska, supported by machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Kalinove was also shelled by armoured vehicles, small arms and 82 mm mortars, while 73 mm recoilless rifles were fired on Vesela Hora. Lohvynove was the target of 82 mm mortars, and rebel troops at Kalynivka were harassed with small arms fire. [131]
The Ukrainian military reported that rebel forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 26 occasions by evening. In the outskirts of Donetsk, the separatist shelled Nevelske with 152 mm self-propelled artillery three times, while the strongholds of Avdiivka, Verkhnyotoretske and Butivka mining complex were struck by 82 mm mortar fire. Rocket launchers were fired at Opytne, and Krasnohorivka was the target of 120 mm mortar barrages. Small arms fire was reported at Troitske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk in the region of Horlivka, where 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Zaitseve and Ukrainian troops received small arms fire in Luhanske. In the area of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Starohnativka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire, and with small arms fire in Shyrokyne. Small arms were also fired against Ukrainian troops at Stanitsya Luhanska, in the northern front, where Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka were also the target of 82 mm mortar fire. [132] [133]
16 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 65 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [134] [135] [136] Six Ukrainian soldiers were injured on the previous day, and one was captured. A Ukrainian soldier wounded on 13 July by an explosion has died. [137] [138] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces fired upon their troops 423 times. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Vasiliivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [139] authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic denounced 85 Ukrainian army violations of the ceasefire over the past week. Most incidents took place at Kalinove, Lohvynove, Kalynivka, Lozove, Vesela Hora and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska. [140]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that 27 attacks on their positions had taken place throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, The Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka came under 120 mm mortar and 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire. Ukrainian positions at Opytne and Krasnohorivka were struck by 82 mm mortar volleys. Verkhnyotoretske was the target of rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Horlivka, the rebels shelled Novoselivka with 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske and Zaitseve were fired at from different grenade-launcher systems. In the area of Mariupol, grenade launchers were also used against Ukrainian outposts at Talakivka and Novotroitske, while heavy machine gun fire was reported near Hnutove. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodiane were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the separatists fired heavy machine guns on Lopaskyne and Novozvanivka. [141]
17 July
The Ukrainian army reported that rebel forces broke the truce on 77 occasions over the past 24 hours. [142] [143] Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action. [144] [145] Pro-Russian authorities recorded 692 armed attacks on their forces on the same period. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents took place at Zaitseve, Spartak, Vasiilivka, Novomarivka, Yasynuvata, Startomyhailivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [146] There were seven attacks on pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars to opened fire on the villages of Kalinove, Raevka and Pervomaisk. [147]
Ukrainian military sources recorded 26 violations of the ceasefire by rebel forces by evening. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian troops fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, while Verkhnyotoretske was the target of heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortar rounds. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Troitske and Butivka mining complex. Meanwhile, in the region of Horlivka, the separatist shelled th settlements of Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novhorodske with rocket launchers. Antitank guided missiles were launched at Ukrainian positions at Novoselivka. In the area of Mariupol, Novoselivka and Hnutove came under 120 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne received small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern front, 82 mm mortar volleys struck the area of Staryi Aidar, and automatic fire was reported on Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka, Novooleksadrivka and Zhovte. [148]
18 July
The Ukrainian military recorded 64 pro-Russian violations of the ceasefire over the past 24 hours. [149] [150] One Ukrainian soldier was killed and five wounded in action. [151] [152] Separatist officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 711 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targtes were Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vasiilivka, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [153] There were 20 Ukrainian army attacks in the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalynivka with the support of recoilless antitank guns and automatic grenade launchers. The Ukrainian forces also employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars against rebel troops at Kalinove, Mariivka, Sanzharivka and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska. [154]
Ukrainian sources said that the separatists broke the ceasefire on 23 occasions throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, Pisky was shelled from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Krasnohorivka and Marinka were struck by 120 mm mortar volleys, while Opytne was the target of 82 mm mortars. Avdiivka came under fire of heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the region of Horlivka, the rebels shelled Maiorsk with grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars, and Zaitseve with 82 mm mortars. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske, with the support of antiaircraft artillery. North of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Starohnativka, while Ukrainian troops at Hranitne and Hnutove were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian fortifications at Novooleksandrivka were the target of mortar barrages. [155]
19 July
The Ukrainian army reported 78 violations of the ceasefire by rebel forces on the last 24 hours. [156] [157] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that seven Ukrainian servicemen were killed and 14 others wounded in action in Donbass region on 18 July, [158] [159] making July the deadliest month for the Ukrainian military in nearly a year. [160] Sources on the field had previously acknowledged the deaths of four Ukrainian servicemen of the 53rd Infantry Brigade when a pillbox was hit by a heavy artillery or mortar round in an area between Maiorsk and Zaitseve. [161] Ukrainian border guards repelled an attack on their control post overnight into Tuesday, 19 July. [162] Pro-Russian authorities denounced that Ukrainian troops opened fire on their positions on 623 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were separatist troops at Vasiliivka, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Spartak, Krutaya Balka, Vesele, Zhabicheve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One rebel soldier was wounded. [163] Ukrainian forces shelled five times pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic in Lohvynove and around Stanitsya Luhanska with automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. [164]
Ukrainian officials reported 16 attacks on their troops throughout the day. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Avdiivka was attacked with small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Nearby Krasnohorivka came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire, and sniper activity was reported at Marinka. In the region of Horlivka, rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar barrages struck Maiorsk, while Zaitseve was the target of automatic fire. Around Mariupol, the rebels fired small arms and 82 mm mortars at Vodiane. In addition, Ukrainian troops at Novohnativka were targeted by small arms and rocket launchers. In the northern front, Stanitsya Luhanska was fired at from heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and antiaircraft artillery. [165]
By the end of the day "DPR Defense Ministry" deemed it necessary to publish "urgently", that the "situation in the Donetsk direction tends to aggravate." [166] "Lugansk Defence" report, that was published about three hours earlier, stated that the "situation in the zone of responsibility of the People's Militia remains tense." [167]
20 July
The Ukrainian military reported 54 ceasefire violations on 19 July. Some incidents involved the use of banned weapons by the separatists. The rebels fired 122 mm self-propelled artillery on Shyrokyne, 120 mm mortar rounds on Talakivka, Maiorsk and Avdiivka and antiaircraft guns on Novozvanivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka. [168] [169] No Ukrainian casualties were reported. [170] [171] Pro-Russian sources said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their troops on 709 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. They fired upon rebel forces at Vasiliivka, Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Yasynuvata, Krutaya Balka, Spartak, Zhabunki, Makiyivka, Mineralne, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire four times. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske, supported by recoilles antitank guns, attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove. The village of Lozove was shelled by automatic grenade launchers from Luhanske, and separatist troops in Kalinove received small arms fire from Novozvanivka. [172]
Ukrainian officials recorded 25 rebel attacks by the end of the day. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Semyhirya and Kodema were pounded by 122 mm self-propelled guns. Meanwhile, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Novohorodske, and 82 mm mortar rounds hit Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve and Maiorsk. Around Donetsk city, the village of Kamyanka was pounded with 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka was the target of heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars, while Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. North of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Starohnativka were fired at from small arms, machine guns and rocket launchers. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Novotroitske, and small arms fire at Pavlopil. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian redoubts around Stanitsya Luhanska were struck by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. [173]
21 July
Ukrainian authorities said that rebel forces broke the ceasefire 70 times over the past 24 hours. [174] [175] [176] Five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the same period. [177] [178] One civilian was killed in Avdiivka as result of heavy shelling. [175] Separatist officials recorded 308 Ukrainian attacks on their positions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian troops at Vasilivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Mineralne, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [179] The Ukrainian army also launched seven attacks inside the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles shelled rebel redoubts in the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska supported by automatic grenade launchers, and in the village of Kalinove, which was also shot at by small arms and rocket launchers. Nyzhne Lozove and Mironovskiy were the target of recoilless antitank guns. Lohvynove was also fired at by the same weapons from Luhanske. [180]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 20 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, a lone pro-Russian tank shelled Ukrainian positions at Krasnohorivka, The area had previously came under fire from small arms, rocket launchers, antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars. In nearby Avdiivka, the rebels opened fire with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars, while 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Pisky. Ukrainian troops at Marinka and Troitske were targeted by heavy machine guns. In the area of Horlivka, Maiorsk was shelled by 82 mm mortars, and Ukrainian forces at Nyzhne Lozove were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Hnutove, in the region of Mariupol, where Ukrainian outposts at Pavlopil were raked with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the separatists pounded Stanitsya Luhanska with small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Mortar barrages landed in the village of Novozvanivka. [181] [182]
Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused the warring sides in unlawful actions against civilians. [183] [184]
22 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 66 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 21 July. The incidents involved the widespread use of 120 mm mortars, a heavy weapon banned by the Minsk agreements. [185] [186] [187] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [188] The casualties took place at Marinka, when a group of rebel scouts broke through the demarcation line. The assault was repelled by the Ukrainian defenders. [189] According to separatist authorities, one soldier was killed and another wounded during the past week. Seven civilian residents were also injured. [190] The same sources recorded four Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska attacked pro-Russian positions around the city, supported by small arms fire. Pervomaisk was shelled from Popasna by 120 mm mortars, while Kalinove was the target of automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. [191]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces attacked Shyrokyne with sniper fire, machine gun fire and 120 mm mortar volleys. Starohnativka was also struck by 120 mm mortar rounds, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Talakivka. The separatists fired rocket launchers at Vodiane. Around Donetsk city, rocket propelled grenades hit the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Marinka and Butivka coal mine. Small arms fire was reported at Avdiivka and sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, Novhorodske came under rocket propelled grenade fire. Small arms fire was reported at Zaitseve, while pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske. [192] [193]
23 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. [194] [195] [196] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 22 July. [197] [198] separatist officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 351 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Spartak, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Shyroka Balka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Dokuchaievsk, Vasiilivka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [199] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 55 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire throughout the week. [200]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 40 occasions. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka bore the brunt of the rebel attacks. The Ukrainian stronghold was the target of small arms, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and 122 mm self-propelled guns. Nearby Opytne was also pounded with 122 mm artillery rounds, and Ukrainian troops at Troitske received heavy machine gun fire. Small arms, rocket launchers and mortars were fired upon the Ukrainian outpost at Butivka mining complex. The same weapons were used to strike Ukrainian forces at Maiorsk, west of Horlivka. In the northern front, the separatists fired small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft artillery and 122 mm self-propelled guns on Novozvanivka. Pro-Russian tanks shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Novooleksandrivka along with rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. [201]
24 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 77 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 23 July; [202] [203] [204] [205] the fire was returned on several occasions. [206] Rebel forces launched two assaults on Ukrainian positions around Marinka, both of them beaten off by the defenders. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novohryhorivka, in the Mariupol area, and Novooleksandrivka, in the northern front, while armoured fighting vehicles opened up on Priazovzke and Luhanske. Avdiivka, Opytne, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka came under 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Chermalyk, Hnutove, Novohrihorivka, Shyrokyne, Vodiane, Starohnativka, Avdiivka, Novoselivka and Novozvanivka. [202] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were killed, thirteen were wounded, and eight were contused in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [206] [207] Seven rebels were killed in a mortar exchange. [208] Three clashes between the warring parties took place in Luhansk region, two in the region of Mariupol, Motuzyanyk added. [206] The ATO HQ published on their Facebook page later more information on these five attacks. [209]
Separatist sources recorded 610 attacks on their troops. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery to pound pro-Russian strongpoints at Vasiiivka, Zaitseve, Horlivka, Mykhailivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [210] The same sources claimed to have killed 10 Ukrainian soldiers from a recoinassance group which broke through the demarcation line near Opytne. [211] According to Luhansk People's Republic officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on ten occasions in the territory controlled by the self-proclaimed republic. Ukrainian tanks from Novozvanivka shelled pro-Russian positions at Kalinove. The village was also the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. The rebel-held settlements of Lohvynove, Kalynivka, Mironovskiy and Smile were pounded by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars. [212]
The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 26 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day; no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk region. Most incidents occurred in the region of Mariupol, where rebel forces shelled Novohryhorivka with 122 mm self-propelled guns and Talakivka, Vodiane and Starohnativka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Heavy machine gun fire and sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Nevelske was struck by rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds, and the separatists pounded Avdiivka with rocket propelled grenades. Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, Mayske and Verkhnyotoretske were harassed with small arms fire. [213]
25 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 58 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka clashed with a group of rebel scouts. [214] [215] [216] During the first six hours of 25 July seven attacks on Ukrainian positions were recorded in the region of Mariupol. [217] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three others wounded in action in the Donbass region on 24 July. [218] According to the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, one Ukrainian serviceman died and ten others were injured during military exercise in southern Ukraine. [219] [220] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 570 times on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Vasiilivka, Leninske, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Spartak, Yasynuvata, Mineralne, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two civilian residents were wounded. [221] The same sources reported seven Ukrainian attacks inside the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The incidents took place in the villages of Kalinove and Lohvynove. The Ukrainian forces opened fire with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. [222]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions. The main flashpoint was the region of Mariupol. Talakivka came under fire from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, and rocket propelled grenades landed in Hnutove. Ukrainian troops at Novoselivka received heavy machine gun fire. Around Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka was the target of 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, while Opytne and Marinka were fired at by rocket launchers and Troitske by heavy machine guns. Krasnohorivka was pounded by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts near Pisky. [223]
26 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 25 July, [224] [225] [226] and on 10 occasions during the first six hours of 26 July. [227] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [228] Separatist authorities reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their troops 812 times with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted pro-Russian positions at Staromykhailivka, Yasynuvata, Krutaya Balka, Spartak, Zhabunki, Dokuchaievsk, Petrovske, Leninske, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Sahanka, Donetsk airport, Kiev, Kirove and Petrovsky districts. [229] The same sources recorded seven Ukrainian violations of the truce in the area under control of the Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian forces attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Vesele Hora, Kalinove and Kalynivka with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, antiaircraft artillery and armoured fighting vehicles. [230]
By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka were fired at from small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Butivka mining complex and Nevelske were also the target of 120 mm mortar rounds, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Marinka. Opytne came under antiaircraft gun fire and Pisky under machine gun fire. [231] [232]
An OSCE unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down near Avdiivka. [233] The loss of three UAVs in less than three months had left the OSCE mission without long-range aerial surveillance. [234]
27 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 22 occasions in the region of Mariupol; [235] [236] [237] [238] no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast. [239] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 26 July. [239] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 805 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. [240] Authorities from Luhansk People's Republic reported one Ukrainian violation of the ceasefire, when Ukrainian BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska shelled pro-Russian entrenchments at Knyaz Igor memorial. [241]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rebel forces pounded the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka with small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at nearby Marinka were harassed with small arms fire. North of Horlivka, Luhanske and Novoselivka were the target of sniper fire, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Starohnativka, while small arms fire was reported at Vodiane. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the rebels fired 82 mm mortars at Ukrainian redoubts in Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, and automatic grenade launchers at the village of Lopaskyne. [242]
28 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 27 July. [243] [244] [245] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [246] [247] [248] Separatist sources recorded 108 Ukrainian attacks on their positions with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Zaitseve, Krasny Partizan, Yasynuvata, Vasiilivka, Shyroka Balka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action. [249] Ukrainian forces opened fire on nine occasions on pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian BPM-1 armoured fighting vehicles attacked rebel entrenchments at Kalinove, supported by automatic grenade launchers and recoilless antitank guns. Meanwhile, Kalynivka was shelled from automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars emplaced in Ukrainian-held Novozvanivka. Ukrainian troops from Popasna fired small arms and automatic grenade launchers at Molodezhne. [250]
By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Around Donetsk city, rebel forces shelled Avdiivka with grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades also landed in Marinka. Near Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers, while Maiorsk came under rocket propelled grenade and 82 mm mortar fire. In the region of Mariupol, Vodiane was pounded with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and 82 mm mortar volleys. Lebedynske was fired at by rocket launchers. [251]
29 July
According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. Two assaults by pro-Russian troops on Schastya and Avdiivka were repelled by Ukrainian forces. The fighting was more intense in Schastya, where the rebels employed 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and tanks during the three-hour battle. [252] [253] [254] [255] [256] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 28 July. [257] [258] Pro-Russian officials acknowledged the death of one of their soldier over the past week. Five civilians were reported injured. [259] The same sources recorded seven Ukrainian ceasefire violations inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian forces opened fire on the villages of Kalynivka, Lohvynove and Kalinove with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars. [260]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 19 occasions. Around Donetsk city, heavy shelling was reported at Nevelske, where the rebels fired on 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Krasnohorivka, Opytne and Pisky were the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys, while heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers were used against Avdiivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Maryinka. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian entrenchments at Luhanske and Novhorodske were fired at from small arms and automatic grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops were harassed by small arms and under-barrel grenade launcher fire at Starohnativka, and by small arms fire at Hranitne. [261] [262]
Members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) were threatened by the "DPR" members at gunpoint near Lukove (72 km south of Donetsk). [263]
30 July
The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that separatist forces had opened fire on 84 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Leninske, in the area of Horlivka, Starhonativka, in the region of Mariupol, and Trokhizbenka, in the northern sector of the demarcation line. Banned heavy weapons were also used in several locations. The rebels fired 152 mm self-propelled artillery on Leninske and Yasnobrodivka. Also in Leninske, 122 mm artillery rounds landed around Ukrainian entrenchments. Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Maiorsk were the target of 120 mm mortars. [264] [265] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, one wounded, and one contused in action in the Donbass region on 29 July. [266] According to officials from Donetsk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire 222 times. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian positions at Yasynuvata, Spartak, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, the districts of Petrovsky and Kuybishev and Donetsk airport. [267] The authorities of Luhansk People's Republic reported 72 violations of the truce by Ukrainian forces inside the boundaries of the Republic during the past week. The same sources said that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 11 occasions on 29 July. The Ukrainian army used light weapons, grenade launchers, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack the rebel strongholds of Kalinove, Kalynivka, Lozove, Mironovskiy, Raevka and Molodezhne. [268]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions throughout the day. In the surroundings of Donetsk, Avdiivka was the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars, and Butivka mining complex of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. The rebels also harassed Ukrainian redoubts at Verkhnyotoretske and Troitske. North of Horlivka, pro-Russian armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Svetlodarsk dam, where hostile snipers were also active. The Ukrainian military at Nyzhne Lozove deployed armoured personnel carriers as a reaction to rebel attacks. In the region of Mariupol, Vodiane was pounded by small arms fire, machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades also landed in Lopaskyne, in the northern sector of the demarcation line. [269]
Two fishermen were injured by the explosion of a booby trap in Lopaskyne, Luhansk Oblast. [270]
31 July
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 105 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 46 occasions during the last six hours of 30 July. [271] [272] [273] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. [274] [275] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 817 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Petrovsky and Kuybyshev district and Donetsk airport. [276] There were 16 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by mortar fire and rocket propelled grenades, attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove. Lohvynove, Kalynivka and separatists entrenchments around Knyaz Igor memorial were the target of mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Molodezhne. [277]
The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the outskirts of Donetsk, heavy shelling was reported at Avdiivka, which came under 122 mm and 152 mm artillery fire. The town was also struck by 120 mm mortar volleys. The rebels also fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian stronghold. Mortar rounds also landed around Ukrainian redoubts in Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Pisky, which was also the subject of machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, separatist forces opened fire on Starohnativka and Slavne with small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske. In the northern front, Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Krymske were the target of small arms, rocket launchers and mortars fired from pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian army returned fire on several occasions. [278] Ukrainian sources said they beaten off enemy special forces attempting to break through the demarcation line near Maryinka. [279]
