Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 52 times in the past 24 hours, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

http://www.unian.info/war/1711327-russian-proxies-attack-ukraine-52-times-in-last-day-1-wia.html
In the Mariupol sector, the militants repeatedly fired mortars of different calibers on the villages of Vodiane, Lebedynske and Shyrokyne, as well as rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the villages of Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Pavlopil. The occupiers also repeatedly used infantry fighting vehicles in Shyrokyne.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/394939.html
One Ukrainian serviceman has been injured as a result of attacks by illegal armed groups in Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) zone in the Donetsk sector on Wednesday, the press centre of the ATO headquarters has said.

Since the beginning of the day, as of 18:00 p.m. on January 4, militants have fired ATO positions 32 times, the ATO staff press centre said on its page. In particular, Troyitske of the Yasynuvatsky district and Zaitceve of the Bakhmut region in the Donetsk sector were fired by 120 mm and 82-mm mortars, while the village of Luhanske of the Bakhmut district, the village of Kruta Balka of Yasynuvatsky district and the town of Avdiyivka were shelled by rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.

"In the Mariupol sector militants repeatedly fired Vodiane and Shyrokyne using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms were used to shell Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Pavlopil. The village of Shyrokyne was shelled by weapons of infantry combat vehicles. In the Luhansk sector the enemy fired 120-mm mortar shells at Novozvanivka, whereas Stanytsia of Luhanska was fired from rocket-propelled grenades," the statement says.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/394942.html
President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has congratulated the Ukrainians illegally detained on the territory of Russia on New Year holidays, the Ukrainian Embassy in the Russian Federation has said.

"President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has congratulated Ukrainian citizens, who are illegally kept in the territory of Russia, on the New Year holidays. The Embassy of Ukraine joins the congratulations and implements the necessary measures for the speedy transfer of letters to their recipients," a statement reads posted on the embassy's Facebook page on Wednesday.

The diplomatic mission also published photocopies of these letters. The president's greetings say: "As a president, every day I am making every effort for your speedy return to Ukraine."

The president's letters are addressed to Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Stanyslav Klykh, Mykola Karpiuk, Evhen Panov, Roman Sushchenko, Valentyn Vyhovsky. In addition, Poroshenko turned to Andriy Kolomiyets, Oleksandr Kostenko, Serhiy Lytvynov, Oleksiy Chyrniy, Rustem Vaitov, Ruslan Zeitulyaev, Nuri Primov and Ferat Saifulayev.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395006.html
Over the past day militants have opened fire 52 times using the weapons banned by the Minsk agreements on positions of the Ukrainian military in all sectors, the ATO staff press center said on Thursday morning.

"Russian occupying forces have continued shelling our positions in all sectors. One of our soldiers has been wounded," the report says.

In the Mariupol sector militants repeatedly fired Vodiane, Lebedynske and Shyrokyne using mortars of various calibers. Grenade launchers and small arms were used for attacking Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Pavlopil. Invaders repeatedly fired at Shyrokyne from infantry combat vehicles.

In the Luhansk sector, 120 mm mortar shells were applied to shell at Novozvanivka and Bohuslavska, while Novo-Oleksandrivka and Stanytsia Luhansk were shelled by grenade launchers.

In the Donetsk sector the enemy attacked Troyitske with 152mm artillery fire. At the same time, Troyitske, Zaitseve and Luhanske were shelled by 120 and 82 mm mortars. The adversary repeatedly fired Luhanske, Avdiyivka and Kruta Balka using grenade launchers and small arms.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1712577-ato-hq-militants-attack-ukraine-32-times-in-last-day-1-wia.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 32 times in the past 24 hours, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Luhansk sector, the militants fired 120mm mortars and grenade launchers of various systems on the village of Novozvanivka. They used grenade launchers in the villages of Talakivka and Stanytsia Luhanska. Additionally, a sniper was active in the village of Novotroyitske.


In the Mariupol sector, the occupiers shelled mortars on the town of Maryinka. They fired grenade launchers and small arms on the towns of Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Hnutove, Pavlopil, Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Novotroyitske. Furthermore, they opened fire from infantry fighting vehicles on the village of Starohnativka.

In the Donetsk sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired 152mm artillery systems on the Ukrainian positions near the village of Troyitske, as well as 82mm mortars on the town of Avdiyivka. In addition, the enemy used grenade launchers and small arms in Avdiyivka, and the village of Luhanske.
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http://www.unian.info/war/1712696-19-ukrainian-military-killed-in-dec-2016-journalist.html

In December 2016, 19 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the Donbas conflict zone, a Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov wrote on Facebook.

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UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/war/1712847-d...ve-on-different-parts-of-front-in-donbas.html

In an interview with some "foreign" journalists, he threatened again to capture Kyiv in this case, Ukrainian news Web portal OstroV has reported. Read also Savchenko says war in Donbas could be finished within two months

At first, Zakharchenko admitted that "the military situation on the demarcation line in the territory of the "DPR" is complicated." Moreover, he directly expressed concerns that "at the moment, those units and divisions that are deployed at the forefront will certainly allow Ukraine launching several offensives on different parts of the front." In addition, he said that in the case of the Ukrainian army's offensive, he would likely "talk in Ukraine about Ukraine in Kyiv."

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http://www.unian.info/war/1713147-ukraine-reports-1-wia-in-past-24-hours.html
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, according to a Ukrainian defense ministry spokesman.

"One Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action (WIA) near the village of Novozvanivka in Luhansk region," Defense Ministry speaker for Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday, January 6.

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According to the command of the missile troops and artillery of the AFU Land Forces, the losses of artillery weapons for the ATO period are much less than those mentioned and are not linked to the reason indicated.

"Now the military units of the missile troops and artillery of the AFU Land Forces are fully combat-ready, equipped and able to carry out tasks as directed," the Defense Ministry stated.

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http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=2&id=726160
January 06, 2017 14:14

Ukrainian military reports shelling in country's east
KYIV. Jan 6 (Interfax) - One Ukrainian serviceman has been injured in the military operation in the east of the country over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianik said.

"Over the past 24 hours there were no deaths among Ukrainian military servicemen as a result of fighting. One Ukrainian soldier was injured, this happened near the populated area of Novozvanivka," Motuzianik said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

Shelling by hostile armed groups on Thursday continued in all directions, with use of heavy weapons, he said.

In particular, in the Luhansk region, the day began with firing of 152-millimeter cannons and 50 artillery shells against the Ukrainian positions near the village of Troitske, 20 mortar rounds were launched not far from Novozvanivka, Motuzianik said.

In the Donetsk region, the enemy breached truce six times, with almost all instances taking place near the town of Avdiivka and the village of Luhanske in Bakhmutka District. In both places, the enemy fired mortars, having launched 49 rounds in total.

Near Mariupol, there was shelling along the entire line of conflict, Motuzianik said.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1713887-christmas-in-donbas-42-militant-attacks-2-wia.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 42 times in the past 24 hours, two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.


In the Mariupol sector, the militants repeatedly fired artillery systems and mortars of different calibers on the villages of Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Pavlopil, as well as rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Talakivka, Hnutove, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Pavlopil. Additionally, enemy snipers were active in Shyrokyne and Talakivka.

In the Luhansk sector, the occupiers used grenade launchers on the villages of Krymske, Stanytsia Luhanska, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Novotoshkivske and Novozvanivka. In the Donetsk sector, Russia's hybrid military force shelled mortars and heavy machine guns on the Ukrainian positions near the village of Luhanske and the town of Avdiyivka.

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395301.html


The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in Ukraine has recorded most intense violations of Donbas ceasefire near Svitlodarsk and Debaltseve.

"On the evening of 4 January, while in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 66 explosions assessed as rounds of 152mm artillery, five assessed as impacts and the rest undetermined, all 8-12km south-east," the SMM said in a report as of 7:30 p.m. of January 5.

"The Mission also heard 15 shots of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV; BMP-2) cannon (30mm), eight bursts of anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23, 23mm), and seven bursts of automatic-grenade-launcher fire, all 3-8km south-east or south-south-east. On 5 January, in the same location, the SMM heard five explosions assessed as 120mm mortar rounds, two explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of an undetermined weapon, 20 shots of IFV (BMP-2) cannon, four bursts of anti-aircraft cannon (ZU-23) and intense heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 4-8km south-south-east. The Mission also heard two undetermined explosions, 35 shots of IFV (BMP-2) cannon and intense heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 4-12km east-south-east," the SMM said.

"On the evening of 4 January, while in 'DPR'[Donetsk People's Republic]-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 16 undetermined explosions 10-12km east," the SMM said.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395317.html
A gunfight between Ukrainian military and an unlawful armed group took place after midnight near Avdiyivka, Donetsk region, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.

"A sabotage group of the adversary made up of less than ten people came 100 meters from our positions and then opened fire. Due to a well-organized response by the Armed Forces of Ukraine the attack was rebuffed and the enemy retreated," the report reads.

No Ukrainians were killed in this attack which lasted around half an hour. There is no information about casualties among the enemy.

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Two Ukrainian servicemen have been injured as a result of militant shelling near the village of Novotoshkivske, Luhansk region, in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianik said.

Over the past 24 hours no Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in fighting, though two were injured as a result of grenade shelling near Novotoshkivske, he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

Last night the operation's press center said two soldiers had been injured near Novotoshkivske.

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Savchenko earlier wrote on her Facebook page about her plans to unveil lists of people, who were captured or disappeared in Donbas, in the near future. "The lists of prisoners-of-war and missing persons I have received as a result of the meeting in Minsk, as well as those I have gathered since my release from Russian captivity, I will publish [them] in the very near future," Savchenko wrote.

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Interfax news

20:00
Three Ukrainian servicemen injured in Donbas - Kyiv

09:52
Most ceasefire violations in Donbas recorded in Svitlodarsk, Debaltseve - OSCE SMM report

09:45
Ukrainian military report 42 shell attacks on their positions in Donbas

14:21
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=726200
DONETSK. Jan 7 (Interfax) - Ukrainian troops have violated truce over 250 times in the past 24 hours, the defense ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said.

"The Ukrainian armed forces have violated ceasefire 253 times over the past 24 hours. The enemy attacked the republic with 28 artillery shells of the 122- and 152-millimeter caliber, 69 rounds of the 82- and 120-millimeter caliber, as well as 90 munitions from various types of grenade launchers. In addition, infantry fighting vehicles and small arms were used," DPR deputy operations commander Eduard Basurin said at a briefing on Saturday.

The attacks targeted ten populated areas, he said. "As a result of shelling, four private houses were damaged in the village of Kulikovo. Luckily, there were no civilian casualties. The populated area has been left without power and gas supplies. Also, the village Serhiyivka remained without light as a result of damage to the power line near the village of Sakhanka," he said.

He also said that the DPR had foiled a deadly terrorist attack. "This morning, at 7:30 a.m., two OZM-72 mines were discovered in Donetsk, planted near the location of one of the DPR people's militia units, within 40-50 centimeters from the barracks' fence. If detonated, those mines could lead to casualties among civilians who happened to be near by," Basurin said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1714447-o...s-in-donbas-72-times-wounding-six-troops.html

In the past 24 hours, the Russian-occupation forces in Donbas have increased the number of attacks, opening fire 72 times, according to the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation.

Six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded as a result of the attacks, the ATO Headquarters reports. In the Mariupol direction, the invaders fired 122mm artillery on Vodiane and also mortars of various calibers – on Maryinka, Pavlopil, Shyrokine and Talakivka. From grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms, they fired on Pavlopil, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka, Hnutove, Starohnativka, Vodiane, Talakivka, and Shyrokine.

In the Luhansk direction, mortars of various calibres were fired at Troitske and Novo-oleksandrivka. Grenade launchers and small arms were fired on Lobacheve, Novo-oleksandrivka, Krymske, Stanytsia Luhanska, and Novozvanivka.

In the Donetsk direction, 82mm mortars and weapons installed on IFVs were fired by the invaders at Troitske. Grenade launchers and small arms were fired on Pisky, Avdiyivka, Maiorsk, Novoluhanske and Luhanske.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1714696-r...tsyzk-civilian-casualties-reported-intel.html

On January 7, the Separate anti-aircraft missile division (based in Donetsk) of the 1st Army Corps of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation shelled residential areas in the town of Khartsyzsk, the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported.


Casualties among the civilian population of the occupied town are reported, the statement reads.

The military intelligence says the servicemen of the Russian occupation forces continue their atrocities in the temporarily occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.


On January 7, the Separate military anti-aircraft missile battalion (Donetsk) of the 1st Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Russia have shelled residential neighborhoods in the town of Khartsyzsk. The command of the 1st AC is undertaking measures to conceal the fact of shelling and civilian casualties, the intelligence report says.
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http://www.unian.info/war/1715151-russian-proxies-attack-ukraine-51-times-in-last-day.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 51 times in the past 24 hours, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.


In the Mariupol sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired 122mm artillery systems on the village of Shyrokyne, as well as 120mm and 82mm mortars in the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Hnutove, Troyitske, Vodiane, Talakivka and Shyrokyne. They also used rocket-propelled grenades and small arms in the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Hnutove and Shyrokyne. Additionally, the enemy opened fire from infantry fighting vehicles in Maryinka, and tanks in Talakivka.


In the Luhansk sector, the occupiers fired mortars of various calibers on the village of Troyitske, and rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the villages of Novozvanivka, Lopaskyne and Stanytsia Luhanska.

Furthermore, a sniper was active in Troyitske. In the Donetsk sector, the militants shelled 122mm artillery systems and infantry fighting vehicles on the village of Luhanske.

They fired 82mm mortars on the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Maiorsk and Luhanske. In addition, they used rocket-propelled grenades and small arms in Avdiyivka, and the villages of Luhanske and Zaitseve.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1715272-3-ukrainian-military-mia-in-donbas-ato-hq.html
Three Ukrainian servicemen were missing in action (MIA) near the demarcation line in Donbas, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.


"On January 8, 2017, three soldiers of a military unit, which performs tasks near the demarcation line, did not return to the place of location of the unit," the report says.


It is noted that it was impossible to contact them so far. Circumstances of the incident are being investigated.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1715397-ukraine-reports-5-wia-in-past-24-hours.html

Five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, according to a Ukrainian defense ministry spokesman.

"There were five wounded in action (WIA) as a result of the hostilities," Defense Ministry speaker for Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday, January 9, a UNIAN correspondent reported.


As UNIAN reported earlier, combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 51 times in the past 24 hours.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1715676-ato-hq-militants-attack-ukraine-27-times-jan-9-2-wia.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 27 times from 00:00 to 18:00 on Monday, January 9, two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action (WIA), according to the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.


In the Mariupol sector, the occupiers shelled 82mm mortars on the village of Vodiane, as well as rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Shyrokyne, Chermalyk and Pavlopil. The enemy also opened fire from infantry fighting vehicles on Shyrokyne, the ATO HQ said in an evening update.


In the Donetsk sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired mortars of various calibers on the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Zaitseve and Luhanske, and rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns on Avdiyivka and the village of Opytne.

In the Luhansk sector, the militants used Grad multiple rocket missile systems near the village of Syze. They also repeatedly fired mortars on the village of Troyitske, as well as anti-tank guided missile systems on the village of Novozvanivka. Additionally, a sniper was active in Troyitske.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395495.html
Five Ukrainian soldiers have been injured in the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) zone in the east of the country over the past day, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"Over the past day no Ukrainian soldier was killed, but five were injured," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

Motuzianyk said that in the Luhansk sector a number of cases of ceasefire violations has decreased twice - to ten cases. Of which, two shelling at Troyitske took place with the usage of mortars. In the Popasna area, near the village of Novozvanivka, illegal armed formations fired ATO positions using propelled grenades of different systems and small arms, mostly at nighttime. The enemy carried out an armed provocation in the Stanytsia Luhanska and Lopaskyne.

In the Donetsk sector the militants fired Svitlodarsk bulge, northern outskirts of Horlivka and Avdiyivska industrial zone. Heavy weaponry was used by militants in all three areas. A total of 11 enemy attacks were recorded in the Donetsk sector over the past day, including five attacks using heavy weapons.

In the Mariupol sector the most tense situation remains in the area of the Pavlopil – Shyrokyne front. "The enemy has begun provoking our military since midnight, opening fire in the direction of Ukrainian positions using rifles and heavy machine guns. Closer to the lunch time the enemy attacked Ukrainian defense lines by mortars in Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne. At dusk the militants struck an artillery strike on ATO forces in Shyrokyne and double-fired our stronghold in Talakivka from a tank," Motuzianyk said.

In the front line of Maryinka - Krasnohorivka, according to the speaker of Defense Ministry, four cases of ceasefire violation were recorded on Sunday, all of them were unaimed and with the usage of firearms. A total of 30 enemy attacks took place in the Mariupol sector over the past day, including eight attacks fired from heavy weapons.

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14:24
DPR denies capturing 3 Ukrainian servicemen who went missing on Sunday

14:24
Five Ukrainian servicemen injured in Donbas in past 24 hours - Ukrainian Defense Ministry

14:05
DPR observes over 500 Ukrainian army attacks in past 24 hours

12:40
LPR reports 2 truce breaches by Ukraine in past 24 hours

09:04
Kyiv reports 51 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in past 24 hours

 

[Hindustani78]

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395541.html

The militants over the past day have fired positions of the Ukrainian military 46 times in Donbas, the press center of the ATO (Anti-Terrorist operation) wrote on its Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

"Five soldiers were wounded," a statement says.

In the Mariupol sector the enemy fired Vodiane using 82-mm mortar shells, while rocket-propelled grenades and small arms were used to fire Maryinka, Shyrokyne, Talakivka, Chermalyk, Pavlopil and Hnutove. Shyrokyne was shelled by the enemy's infantry combat vehicles.

In the Donetsk sector mortars of various calibers were used to attack Zaitseve, Avdiyivka and Luhanske. The adversary applied fire of rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns on Krasnohorivka, Avdiyivka and Opytne. Luhanske was attacked by infantry combat vehicles.

In the Luhansk sector, near Syze, the militants used the BM-21 "Grad". Troyitske was repeatedly shelled by mortars, Stanytsia Luhanska and Novozvanivka by grenade launchers. Novozvanivka was also shelled from anti-tank guided missiles. Troyitske was fired on by a sniper.
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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395633.html

People's deputy of Ukraine Nadia Savchenko on her Facebook page has unveiled lists of hostages held in the Donbas territory not controlled by Ukraine's authorities, as well as Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russian prisons and in Crimea occupied by Russia, including the list of persons, the DPR/LPR leadership wants to get from the Ukrainian side.

Savchenko on Tuesday released a list of 41 Ukrainian (with their first names, surnames and patronymics, as well as dates of birth), which are held by the DPR/LPR and confirmed by them. She also provided a list of similar information about 121 Ukrainians whom the Ukrainian side want release.


In addition, she has published a list of 524 individuals the DPR/LPR want released.

According to Savchenko, the list includes "two categories of exchange."

"The first category is our prisoners, who are located in the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine occupied by Russia. Ukrainian side filed a request for 129 people. The opposite side confirms 42 people [...] The second exchange category - Ukrainian political prisoners, who are held in Russian prisons and in Crimea occupied by Russia. There are 44 people for now," she wrote.

As reported, the Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) stated they would talk to MP Nadia Savchenko, who announced her intention to publish lists of prisoners and missing persons in Donbas, and explain to her the possible harm from the disclosure of such lists.

"Naturally, we know these lists. We are working with these lists. I can only say that there are certain laws that limit the leakage of any information related to personal data [...] We should not use this information for some selfish goals, should not manipulate these lists, engage in political campaigning," the SBU chief's adviser, Yuriy Tandit, told TV channel 112.ua on January 7.

He stressed that "in no case" should information that may "harm not only people who are there, but their friends and relatives" be released.

"Don't worry: we will work with her lawfully," Tandit said. He was responding to a question about whether the SBU will explain its position to Savchenko.

Savchenko earlier wrote on her Facebook page about her plans to unveil lists of people, who were captured or disappeared in Donbas, in the near future.

"The lists of prisoners-of-war and missing persons I have received as a result of the meeting in Minsk, as well as those I have gathered since my release from Russian captivity, I will publish [them] in the very near future," Savchenko said.

 

[Hindustani78]

15:27
DPR calls Savchenko's proposals to swap prisoners unacceptable

15:11
LPR reports Ukrainian sabotage group's attempt at breaking into republic

14:58
DPR records over 500 ceasefire breaches in its territory in past day

 

[Hindustani78]

Ukraine reports 49 militant attacks in last day Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 49 times in the past 24 hours, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Mariupol sector, the occupiers fired mortars on the villages of Talakivka and Vodiane, as well as grenade launchers of various calibers were used to shell the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Talakivka, Hnutove, and Shyrokyne.

The militants used small arms in the villages of Pavlopil, Shyrokyne, and Novotroyitske. A sniper was also active in Novotroyitske. Shyrokyne was attacked by infantry fighting vehicles. Additionally, a skirmish took place near the village of Taramchuk. The attack was repelled.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force used mortars and anti-tank missile systems to shell the village of Novozvanivka, as well as rocket-propelled grenades were used to attack the village of Troyitske.

In the Donetsk sector, the militants opened fire from mortars of different calibers on the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Verkhniotoretske, Kruta Balka, Opytne, Luhanske, and Zaitseve.

Furthermore, an enemy infantry fighting vehicle attacked Opytne. "Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action, one got injuries. One soldier was killed," the report says.
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http://www.unian.info/war/1718481-u...field-medic-captured-in-occupied-donetsk.html
A field medic from Ukrainian National Guard's military unit No. 3057 has been captured in the militant-occupied city of Donetsk, according to the Azov regiment's press service.

The female doctor captured by Russian troops is reported to have left for the occupied city "on private business."


"No one can guarantee that the woman has kept the official and even military information undisclosed to the enemy, as this could critically undermine the combat readiness of the entire unit," the report says.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/395803.html

Ukrainian MP Nadia Savchenko has published on her Facebook page the adjusted list of Russian military and civilians, who were convicted in Ukraine for crimes against the country committed in 2014-2016, and an additional list that was supposedly requested by the Ukrainian side.

"Here are the lists adjusted as a result of joint work with you, as of January 10, 2017. Here's what we had time to process. You can check it," she wrote on her Facebook page.

Savchenko explained that the names of those who were freed are published in blue ink, while the names of those who perished are in red.

"The orange color indicates Russians, whom the DPR (the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic) is looking for. Yellow are Russians sought by the LPR the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic)," the lawmaker said.

On the whole, the list of Russian military and civilians who ended up in Ukrainian prisons in 2014-2016 includes 101 names. Of these, six have been released, one is dead, 42 are wanted by the DPR, three by the LPR.

The list of persons, whom Ukraine wants to free, includes 135 names. Of them, 14 were put on this list in January 10, 2017. According to the color code, of them one person has been released and two died.

As reported, on January 10, Savchenko posted on Facebook lists of prisoners held in the Donbas territories uncontrolled by the Ukrainian authorities, Ukrainian inmates of Russian prisons, as well as list of persons the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics wish to receive from Kyiv.

In particular, she posted a list of 41 Ukrainians containing their first, middle and last names and dates of birth, which are held by the DPR and the LPR and that were confirmed by the republics. She also presented a similar list of 121 Ukrainians requested by the Ukrainian side. In addition, she published a list of 524 people requested by the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk republics.

Yuriy Tandit, an advisor to the SBU chief, said that the lists published by Savchenko are incorrect and this step may also harm the families of persons mentioned in them.

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January 11, 2017
09:05
Kyiv reports 49 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, 1 fatality

14:24
Two Ukrainian soldiers killed during attack on DPR positions - Donetsk


14:14
Prisoner swap may be discussed by relevant entities of Contact Group for Ukraine - Peskov (Part 2)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1720197-escalation-in-donbas-62-militant-attacks-4-wias-in-last-day.html

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 62 times in the past 24 hours with four Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

Russian proxies in the Mariupol sector used 120mm and 82mm mortars to shell the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, while rocket-propelled grenades and small arms were used to attack Maryinka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Hnutove, Hranitne, Vodiane, Novohryhorivka, Shyrokyne, and Talakivka.


Russian-backed militants in the Luhansk sector used banned 122mm artillery systems to shell the village of Troyitske. The villages of Novozvanivka and Troyitske, came under fire from 120mm and 82mm mortars grenade launchers of various systems. Infantry fighting vehicles and heavy machine guns were used in the village of Krymske, as well as small arms in the village of Stanytsia Luhanska.

In the Donetsk sector, Russia's hybrid military force resorted to 120mm and 82mm mortars to attack Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Troyitske. They used rocket-propelled grenades and small arms to fire on the towns of Avdiyivka and Zalizne, and the villages of Maiorsk, Sieverne, Novoselivka Druha, Verkhniotoretske and Zaitseve.

An enemy sniper was active in the village of Opytne. Additionally, Avdiyivka was attacked by infantry fighting vehicles. "Four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action, one got injuries. One soldier was killed," the headquarters said.

The Minsk peace agreements on Donbas ban the use of heavy weapons whose caliber is 100mm and larger.


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The Ukrainian military have advanced closer to the militant-held town of Debaltseve in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, according to civil volunteer, activist from Dnipro Yuriy Mysiahin.

"Debaltseve is becoming closer and closer. When our guys at the forefront climb to certain heights, they already see the vicinity of Debaltseve," he wrote on Facebook.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took new positions at the so-called Svitlodarska Duha bulge within the demarcation line, without violating the Minsk peace agreements on Donbas.
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http://www.unian.info/war/1720721-3...d-killed-their-bodies-at-militants-media.html
Three Ukrainian servicemen who were earlier reported missing in action (MIA) near the demarcation line in Donbas have been killed, according to Serhiy, a cousin of one of the dead fighters Serhiy Sonko, Ukraine TSN news service reported.


The military, who contacted the relatives of Sonko, told that the bodies of three Marines were kept by the militants. "Yesterday, there could be an exchange.

The commission from Kyiv drove up to a checkpoint, was waiting for them, and then the militants wrote they would not hand over the bodies. Talks on the bodies should be held today or tomorrow," Serhiy said.

Serhiy Sonko was 23 years old. About a year ago, he decided to join the army to defend Ukraine. He was the commander of the Third Division of the Marine Corps.

At the same time, Serhiy studied at the Faculty of Law in absentia. His mother lives in Kherson, and his girlfriend resides in Mykolaiv.

Another two dead soldiers, according to sources, were 30-year-old Serhiy and 54-year-old Mykola. As UNIAN reported earlier, on January 8, three Ukrainian servicemen were reported MIA's near the demarcation line in Donbas. A search operation lasted for a few days.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396014.html

Fighting continued in Donbas during the New Year and Christmas holidays, OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) Principal Deputy Chief Monitor in Ukraine Alexander Hug said.

SMM monitors recorded ceasefire violations in all of the 'hot spots' on January 7, Hug said at a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday. In particular, 40 explosions of projectiles fired with grenade launchers, two explosions in the air and 56 explosions of unknown origin were recorded near the populated localities of Hnutove and Pyschevyk.

All in all, monitors recorded 336 ceasefire breaches from January 2 to January 8, 2017, Hug said, adding that half of them occurred in the Svitlodarsk area.

Truce breaches were also reported near Mariupol, Horlivka and at the Avdiyivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport sector, he said.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396025.html

Heavy weapons, including artillery systems, banned by the Minsk agreements and required to be withdrawn from the Donbas contact line, continue to be used on both sides of the frontline, OSCE Special Monitoring Mission Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said.

He told a press briefing in Kyiv on Thursday that the monitors were unable to observe movement of forces in particular sectors, including the vicinity of Svitlodarsk, because the conflicting sides had cut them off from the relocation zones.

Hug said they still had drones and surveillance cameras now that the patrolling options had been limited. A drone flying over the DPR-held town of Novohryhorivka near Debaltseve saw a battery of five self-propelled howitzers, which the OSCE monitors saw firing 31 shots, he said.

The monitors observed mortars transported by military trucks to the west in the Kyiv-held town of Karlivka near Donetsk, Hug said.

The monitors are working 24/7 in the conflict zone, and technical gadgets are used for monitoring purposes at nighttime, he said.

As of today, the mission employs 688 observers, including 590 working in Eastern Ukraine, Hug said.
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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396036.html

Anti-Terrorist Operation military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said Russia-backed militants claim to have found bodies dressed in military uniform in the Mariupol sector of operations, but added it's too early to say whether they are the bodies of three Ukrainian marines who went messing on January 8. He said the information must first be confirmed by expert analysis.

"If the claims from that side are that bodies have been found wearing uniforms … It's too early to say, until the corpses have been examined and identified," Motuzianyk said during a briefing on Thursday in Kyiv. He said would neither confirm nor deny the deaths of Ukrainian marines.

"It's too early to say, until the corpses are returned to the Ukrainian side and a forensic examination is conducted and the bodies are identified," he said.

Media earlier reported the deaths of Ukrainian troops and talks are underway to return the bodies to a place under control of Ukrainian troops.
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The Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation has detained an activist of the Ukrainian Cultural Center (ECC) Andriy Vynohradov in the Russian-occupied Crimea, founder of the ECC Leonid Kuzmin has said.

"This morning, the FSB has detained the ECC activist Andriy Vynohradov," he wrote on his Facbook page on Thursday.

In his comments to the post Kuzmin said that he did not know the grounds for the activist's detention.

As reported, on February 29, 2016 coordinator of the Crimean Human Rights Group Olha Skrypnyk reported on the arrest of three activists from the ECC, which operates in Crimea, by the FSB officers on the administrative border of the annexed Crimea.

The ECC was founded in Crimea on May 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1721222-osce-shows-dprs-artillery-near-svitlodarska-duha-bulge-video.html
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine has recorded a battery of self-propelled howitzers firing toward the town of Svitlodarsk.

The mission posted a corresponding video on its YouTube channel.

"[A] battery of five self-propelled howitzers – all in violation of the Minsk agreements – firing in the direction of Svitlodarsk. In that one instance, 31 artillery rounds were fired," according to the description to the video.

OSCE UAVs filmed barrages from howitzers over the village of Novohryhorivka, which is now controlled by the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic."

As UNIAN reported earlier, the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine took new positions at the Svitlodarska Duha bulge within the demarcation line, without violating the Minsk peace agreements on Donbas.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1722311-escalation-in-donbas-78-militant-attacks-3-wias-in-last-
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 78 times in the past 24 hours with three Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.


In the Mariupol sector, Russia's hybrid military force lobbed mortar shells into the villages of Vodiane and Shyrokyne where Ukrainian troops are stationed. The towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne came under fire from rocket-propelled grenades and small arms.

The enemy also used an infantry fighting vehicle to attack the village of Talakivka. Additionally, a sniper was active in Shyrokyne and Talakivka. In the Luhansk sector, the occupiers used banned 152mm artillery systems to shell the town of Popasna, and the villages of Kalynove and Novozvanivka.

They also fired 120mm and 82mm mortars on the town of Zolote, and the villages of Sentianivka, Novozvanivka, and Krymske. Further, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms were used to attack the villages of Novozvanivka and Novo-Oleksandrivka.

In the Donetsk sector, the militants used 120mm and 82mm mortars to shell the villages of Luhanske, Troyitske, and Zaitseve. What is more, they fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Kamianka, Luhanske, Zaitseve, and Troyitske. Luhanske was also attacked by an enemy infantry fighting vehicle.

As was reported earlier, Russia's militants on Wednesday, January 11, launched 62 recorded attacks in Donbas resulting in four Ukrainian soldiers wounded in action.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396253.html

Some 31 Russian servicemen have been convicted for waging an aggressive war against Ukraine, TV Channel 5 has reported with reference to Ukraine's Chief Military Prosecutor Anatoliy Matios.

"We have judges' verdicts at our disposal against the Russian military. Everyone saw Alexandrov and Yerofeyev - they were sentenced to 12 and 14 years and did not appeal these verdicts, as they were exchanged. What does this mean? It means they have acknowledged their war, and that they were involved in an aggressive war against our state on the territory of our state – this is an irrefutable proof. And I could provide a lot of such facts … 57 people were sentenced, 31 of them - the Russian military. These are court sentences of the Ukrainian legislature. In fact indictments were brought to the court against 27 people," Matios said.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396300.html

The National Radio and TV Council (NRTC) of Ukraine on January 12 issued a permit to broadcast using radio frequency of 873 kHz on the territory of the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) in the town of Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region, the NRTC press service said.

"During the daytime Ukrainian radio with the power of 50 kW will be broadcast to the following territories: Kostiantynivka, Kramatorsk, Dymytriv, Artemivsk, Lysychansk and most of the occupied territories, including the city of Donetsk, Horlivka, Makiyivka, Torets, Shakhtarsk, Torez, Yenakiyeve, Debaltseve, Brianka, Alchevsk. At night the signal coverage will be much better - it will cover all the occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," the press service quoted the National Council member Serhiy Kostynsky as saying.

He also said that Broadcasting, Radio Communications & Television Concern (BRT) is changing the antenna design which will be transmitting a signal. The issue with the transmitter is being resolved. According to rough estimates, it will be technically possible to launch the broadcasting within three months.

Thus, the inhabitants of the occupied territories and controlled territories will be able to listen to news programs of the "Ukrainian Radio," as well as programs developed in partnership with the "Voice of Donbas" and "Radio Liberty", which are adapted for the residents of the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396349.html
Three Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded in the Anti-Terrorist operation (ATO) zone in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for military issues Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"No Ukrainian servicemen died in the hostilities over the past day but three suffered injuries; that happened near Popasna," he told a press briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1724147-m...l-ukraine-positions-62-times-in-past-day.html
11:40, 14 January 2017

Over the last day, on January 13, Russian-backed militants fired 62 times on Ukrainian positions in the zone of the Anti-Terrorist Operation in Donbas, leaving one soldier wounded, according to the ATO HQ press service.

According to the report, in the Mariupol direction, Russian-occupation forces mortared Shyrokine and Vodiane. They also used grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms firing on Hnutove, Talakivka, Pavlopil, Vodiane, Berezove, Novotroitske.

Snipers were active near Hnutove while an enemy IFV was shooting at Shyrokine and Maryinka.

In the Donetsk direction, the militants fired 122mm artillery and 82mm mortars on Verhnetoretske.

They fired on Luhanske, Severne, Zaitseve, Yuzhne, Novgorodske, Troitske, Kamenka, and Avdiyivka from grenade launchers and small arms. A sniper was shooting at Kamenka. In the Luhansk direction, 152mm and 122mm artillery was used by Russian occupation troops in shelling Novozvanivka and Troitske.

On Novo-oleksandrivka, Novozvanivka, Valuiske, and Stariy Aydar they fired from 120mm and 82mm mortars. Grenade launchers and small arms were used by the invaders shooting on Ukrainian positions near Stanytsia Luhanska, Novozvanіvka, and Valuiske.

A sniper was active near Krymske, according to the ATO Headquarters.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396514.html
One soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in the east of the country over past 24 hours, spokesman for the Defense Ministry for ATO matters Oleksandr Motuzianyk has said.

"Last day one Ukrainian soldier was wounded, no killed. This happened in the settlement of Zaitseve," he said at a briefing in Kyiv.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396517.html

Foreign experts since the beginning of reforming the Ukrainian Armed Forces have trained 862 Ukrainian instructors, Speaker of the Ministry of Defense Dmytro Hutsuliak has said.

"One of the main areas of training under NATO standards is training Ukrainian instructors with the participation of foreign specialists. Some 862 Armed Forces instructors have passed such training," he said at a briefing in Kyiv.

Hutsuliak said within the framework of reforming the training system under NATO standards since May 2016, highly mobile airborne troops have started training a battle battalion group under the Striker program.

According to the ministry speaker, last year the intensity of military exercises increased significantly.

"If in 2013-2014 tactical brigade-level exercises were not conducted at all, some 15 such exercises were conducted in 2015 and 20 in 2016. The scale of training this year is also evidenced by more than 200 battalion tactical exercises and 190 operational training events," he said.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396526.html
Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Viktor Muzhenko has met with Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Alexander Hug and drew the attention of international observers to the increased number of attacks on Ukrainian positions in the ATO zone on part of Russian occupation forces.

According to the Defense Ministry's press service, the chief of staff stressed the importance of raising the capacity of the OSCE SMM in monitoring the situation and the implementation of the Minsk agreements.

Muzhenko noted in December 2016 and January 2017 the occupation forces committed 1,730 violations of the ceasefire, during which they used weapons banned by the Minsk agreements 693 times. About 60% of attacks on Ukrainian positions take place in the evening and night time when OSCE SMM patrols are not observing.

According to Muzhenko, the efficient operation of the OSCE SMM in conflict areas should lead to the reduction of tension, preservation of the lives of civilians and prevent casualties among the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

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[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1724776-u...-in-donbas-in-past-day-with-1-kia-3-wias.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 60 times in the past 24 hours with one Ukrainian soldier reported as killed in action (KIA) and three as wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

The villages of Shyrokyne, Slavne and Vodiane and the town of Maryinka in the Mariupol sector in Donetsk region came under mortar fire. Grenade launchers and small arms were used to shell the villages of Hnutove, Talakivka, Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, and Starohnativka.

The villages of Novomykhailivka and Slavne were attacked by infantry fighting vehicles. A sniper would open fire on the town of Krasnohorivka. What is more, Russian occupation forces stationed in the Donetsk sector used banned 122mm artillery systems to shell the village of Luhanske, the ATO HQ said.

"Mortars were used to attack the villages of Kamyanka, Myronivske, Zaitseve, and the town of Avdiyivka. They also fired grenade launchers and small arms on the villages of Mayorsk, Zaitseve, Novoselivka Druha, Kruta Balka, Novhorodske, and Avdiyivka. The village of Troyitske was attacked by an infantry fighting vehicle," it said.


The occupiers used 152mm artillery systems, which are proscribed under the Minsk agreements, to shell the village of Novozvanivka in the Luhansk sector. Further, the villages of Novotoshkivske and Novozvanivka came under mortar fire.

"Antitank missile systems were used to attack the villages of Krymske and Novo-Oleksandrivka, while grenade launchers and small arms were fired on the villages of Orikhove and Lobacheve. A sniper would open fire on the village of Stanytsia Luhanska," it said.

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17:23
Ukrainian commandos become increasingly active in Crimea - Patrushev

09:16
Russia allows Ukraine to conduct military inspection in Rostov region on Jan 16 - 19 - Russian Defense Ministry

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1725381-escalation-in-donbas-60-militant-attacks-1-wia-in-last-day.html
Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 60 times in the past 24 hours with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action (WIA), according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Mariupol sector, the militants shelled 122mm artillery systems on the village of Hnutove, as well as mortars of various calibers on the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Pavlopil and Shyrokyne. They also used rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and small arms in Pavlopil, Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Krasnohorivka. Additionally, a sniper was active in Shyrokyne and the town of Maryinka.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired 120mm and 82mm mortars on the villages of Novozvanivka and Troyitske. Novozvanivka was also attacked with the use of rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Furthermore, the occupiers fired anti-tank missile systems on the town of Zolote, and the villages of Stanytsia Luhanska and Novo-Oleksandrivka. In the Donetsk sector, the enemy used 152mm artillery systems in the town of Avdiyivka.

The militants also fired mortars of various calibers on the villages of Novhorodske and Dolomitne, as well as rocket-propelled grenades, heavy machine guns and small arms on Avdiyivka, and the villages of Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Verkhniotoretske.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1726382-m...of-large-scale-winter-fighting-in-donbas.html
Hostilities that were observed in the area of the Svitlodarska Duha bulge in Donbas late December 2016 were just combat reconnaissance, and this is not about any offensive for the time being, Russian military expert Pavel Felgenhauer said in an interview with Online.ua.

"It is possible to fight now and perform large-scale combat missions. But, will they fight or will the confrontation remain at the level of occasional shooting and clashes? Most likely, they will not fight. Although I can't give you any guarantee, since I do not participate in drafting operational plans," the expert said.

In his opinion, the winter fighting season will continue in its current mode. Earlier, a Ukrainian volunteer Yuriy Mysyagin reported that Ukrainian soldiers from the 54th Brigade had advanced in the area of the Svitlodarska Duha bulge on January 11.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/396823.html

The process of freeing the hostages remains blocked by representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO), they still hold in prisons minors, who are accused of sabotage, First Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on Donbas Iryna Gerashchenko has said.

"Despite the promise to free teenagers accused of sabotage by Christmas holidays, ORDLO still holds juveniles in prison. This is what militants' promise is worth. Despite the appeal of leaders of the Normandy format and the trilateral contact group to free hostages before the New Year holidays, and a gesture of goodwill by the Ukrainian side – a unilateral handover of 15 people, the release of the hostages is still blocked," Gerashchenko wrote on her Facebook page on Monday after a meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk.

At the same time, representatives of the self-proclaimed Donbas republics said that their gesture of goodwill was the transfer of Taras Kolodiy and two women, whose fate was discussed in Minsk.

"And now they are again pushing for an immediate amnesty as a prerequisite for the release and transfer of nearly 700 people in exchange for 50 hostages," Gerashchenko said.

"The Ukrainian side insists on the immediate unlocking of the talks on the release of the hostages. We noted those realistic compromises proposed a few months ago, which could unlock the release process," Gerashchenko.

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18:57
Ceasefire violations recorded at contact line in Donbas - OSCE special representative

18:37
Skype conference over Donbas prisoner release scheduled for Jan 18, Kyiv says

15:04
DPR reports attacks on two villages

11:36
Three subgroups of Contact Group for Ukraine meet in Minsk

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.unian.info/war/1731727-u...sian-fighter-near-mariupol-amid-id-check.html

A citizen of the Russian Federation who was identified as a fighter against the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been detained by Ukrainian troops near the Ukrainian-controlled strategic port city of Mariupol in Donetsk region.

A member of the Russian occupation forces was detained near Ukrainian army positions in the Mariupol sector on January 18, 2017," the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters said on Wednesday.

"It was established during an ID check that the man is a citizen of the Russian Federation, registered in the town of Kurganinsk, Krasnodar Krai. He also had documents that prove he is a member of an illegal armed formation of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic," the ATO HQ said.

The ATO HQ earlier reported about 30 militant attacks on Ukrainian positions from 00:00 to 18:00 local time on Wednesday, January 18.

The village of Talakivka in the Mariupol sector came under mortar fire. Russia's hybrid military forces also used grenade launchers and small arms to shell the villages of Slavne, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Talakivka, Novotroyitske, Shyrokyne, and Vodiane. Further, Novotroyitske was under sniper fire.

Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action over the period under review.

 

[Hindustani78]

20 January 2017
http://www.unian.info/war/1733996-russian-proxies-attack-ukraine-19-times-in-last-day.html

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in Donbas 19 times in the past 24 hours, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Mariupol sector, the occupiers fired rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the villages of Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne, the report reads.

In the Donetsk sector, the militants used the same types of weapons in the town of Avdiyivka, and the villages of Luhanske and Zaitseve.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force repeatedly shelled 120mm mortars on the village of Krymske, as well as rocket-propelled grenades on the village of Novozvanivka.

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http://www.unian.info/war/1733706-h...krainian-armys-avdiyivka-positions-video.html

Hand-grenade throw: Russia hybrid troops near Ukrainian army's Avdiyivka positions (Video)

The Russian hybrid military forces have approached Ukrainian positions in Donbas as close as a "throw of a hand grenade" amid a recent fight on January 19 near the town of Avdiyivka whose industrial zone is under fire almost 24/7, according to Channel 2+2.

"Being shielded by mortars and grenade launchers, the terrorists have approached the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as close as a throw of a hand grenade," journalists from the channel's Spetskor program, who visited the site, have reported.

One of such grenades hit a Ukrainian trench shelter, and miraculously there were no casualties. Ukrainian soldiers had to fire back to ward off the enemy as far as to the occupied town of Yasynuvata.


Ukrainian soldiers say that the enemy conducted a troop rotation near Avdiyivka early this year, and the "Sparta" terrorist battalion is now holding positions there.

This night near Avdiyivka will be hard, Ukrainian army members predict.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=143&v=Hsglw9zACfw

15:57
DPR reports death of 2 militiamen in attacks over past week

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=3&id=728875
LUHANSK. Jan 20 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian military shelled the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) 24 times in the past week, LPR people's militia chief department Oleg Anashchenko said.

"The Ukrainian army committed 24 ceasefire violations over the period from January 14 to January 20. The strikes involved 122mm artillery weapons and 120mm and 82mm mortars that are banned by the Minsk agreements. BMP-1[infantry fighting vehicle] weapons, ZU-23-2 [anti-aircraft gun], SPG, RPG, AGS weapons and small arms," he told reporters on Friday.

A total of 540 projectiles and mines were fired against LPR territory, he said.

The Ukrainian side shelled LPR people's militia positions near the populated localities of Kalynivka, Lohvynove, Nizhne Lozove, Lozove, Kalynove, Smele, Sokolniki, Dolhe, as well as near the Prince Igor Monument in the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska, Anashchenko said.

For its part, the Kyiv-appointed Luhansk region state administration recorded four truce violations along the entire contact line in the past day. The number of shelling incidents has been declining, it said.

The Luhansk region state administration said on its Facebook account on Friday that 120mm mortars, anti-aircraft guns and automatic grenade launchers had been used against Ukrainian military positions near Krymske in the Novoaidar district.

Automatic grenade launchers were also fired on the village of Novozvanivka in the Popasna district.

Militia units used under-barrel grenade launchers and small arms against the Ukrainian army's fortifications near Stanytsia Luhanska after midnight.

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10:23
Yelenivka village in Donbas shelled - DPR