Timeline of the war in Donbass (October–December 2015)

This is a timeline of the War in Donbass, from 1 October 2015. The timeline follows an ongoing conflict between Ukraine and anti-government pro-Russian separatists supported by Russian troops^[1] in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine.

October

1 October

According to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded by explosions of improvised explosive devices in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. The casualties occurred in the outskirts of Donetsk city.^[2][3][4] Ukrainian army reported three attacks against their positions during the last day of September.^[2] Two of the attacks took place during the last four hours of 30 September, no violations of the ceasefire were recorded during the first six hours of 1 October.^[5] The incidents took place in the area south of Artemivsk. Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve were the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades, while outposts at Luhanske received small arms fire.^[6] Meanwhile, Eduard Basurin, deputy defence minister of the Donetsk People's Republic said that the Ukrainian army opened fire on separatist troops on eight occasions overnight. According to Basurin, Ukrainian forces fired small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars on Spartak, in the western outskirts of Donetsk city.^[7]

The leaders of the self-styled Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics signed the agreement on the withdrawal of tanks and other weapons from the frontline in eastern Ukraine on 30 September.^[8][9] The current head of state and Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed state and a rebel group Donetsk People's Republic Alexander Zakharchenko accused the Ukrainian military of shelling Donetsk during the night of 1 October and announced of the postponement of implementing the agreement.^[8][10] Pro-Russian media claimed that the incidents took place in the district of Petrovsky. The same sources accused the Ukrainian military of firing small arms on residential areas of Trudivske, south of Donetsk city. One civilian was injured.^[11] According to president Putin the final solution was still far off.^[12]

2 October

According to military spokesman Andriy Lysenko one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded by improvised explosive device in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. The casualty occurred near Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Oblast.^[13] For the first time over several weeks the Ukrainian army reported no violations of the ceasefire during the first day of October, Thursday; no violations of the ceasefire were recorded during the first six hours of 2 October too.^[14]

The so-called 'Normandy four' met for Ukraine ceasefire talks at Élysée Palace, Paris (France).^{[15][16][17][18]}

3 October

The Ukrainian military reported no casualties^[19] and no violations of the ceasefire in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours; no violations of the ceasefire were recorded during the first six hours of 3 October either.^[20]

Rebels announced that they have moved a column of tanks away from the front line in eastern Ukraine.^[21][22] Ukrainian officials said the actual pullback to start in the afternoon.^[22][23] Pro-Russian forces loyal to the Luhansk People's Republic began to remove light weapons from the demarcation line, while the troops of the Donetsk People's Republic will start the process on 18 October.^[24] After the meetings in Paris, President Poroshenko said light weapons, including also tanks and mortars, must be removed from the frontline in the next 41 days.^[25]

Separatist media denounced that Ukrainian forces resumed the shelling of certain areas of Donetsk city, among them the district of Kalinovka.^[26]

4 October

According to the Ukrainian military the ceasefire has been holding for more than three consecutive days.^[27] Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded on 3 October by improvised explosive devices (booby traps) south of Marinka, Donetsk Oblast.^[28][29][30]

Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, claimed that pro-Russian forces shot down four Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours. The unmanned aircraft were downed over Yenakiieve, Yakovlika and Korsun, in the area between Donetsk city and Horlivka.^[31] He also reported 18 violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian military, which involved the use of mortars and tanks.^[32]

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Sunday, 4 October, that Russia' Vladimir Putin had promised to ask pro-Russian separatists to cancel elections planned in rebel-held territory in defiance of Kiev.^[33]

5 October

The Ukrainian military reported no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[34] According to the Ukrainian military on 4 October at around 10:45 am automatic grenade launcher was used to attack their positions 2 km from Hranitne, Donetsk Oblast.^[35] A spokesman from the "Donbass" battalion reported two Ukrainian soldiers killed and other five wounded as a result of the explosion of landmines on 4 October near Avdiivka. Members of the battalion were on a mobile patrol along the demarcation line when one of the devices went off, killing one soldier and wounding two. A rescue team from the 37th territorial defence battalion hit another mine while coming to the aid of the wounded. Another serviceman was killed and three wounded in the second incident.^[36][37]

The withdrawal of tanks from the demarcation line started on this day in Luhansk Oblast.^[38] Late in the evening, pro-Russian forces claimed to have shot down a Ukrainian drone over the district of Voroshilov, Donetsk city. One civilian residence was damaged by falling debris.^[39]

6 October

According to military spokesman Andriy Lysenko one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. The casualty occurred near Trokhizbenka, Luhansk Oblast, where government forces were engaged in a battle with a reconnaissance-diversionary militia unit that had crossed the Siverskyi Donets at morning.^[40][41][42] The Ukrainian military reported no ceasefire violations during the last 24 hours.^[43]

The rebels announced that they will push back disputed local elections into next year in line with Western demands.^{[44][45][46][47]}

7 October

The Ukrainian military reported no ceasefire violations^[48] and no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[49]

According to the Ukrainian Defence Ministry non-combat losses of the Ukrainian army had reached 597 men since the start of the war in mid-April 2014.^[50]

At noon, four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded when their positions at Troitske, Luhansk Oblast, were hit by two anti-tank guided missiles launched by pro-Russian forces. The attack was the first ceasefire violation since 30 September and was reported to members of the OSCE mission.^[51][52][53] The missiles were launched from the rebel-held village of Kalinove, in the area of Popasna. An excavator and a KrAZ-255 truck of the Ukrainian army were hit.^[54] Ukrainian drones from the Dnipro-1 regiment identified 16 tanks near the village of Sontseve and five D-30 howitzers at Bohdanivka, in the area east of Mariupol.^[55]

8 October

Four Ukrainian servicemen were confirmed wounded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[56][57]

Officials from Donetsk People's Republic said that two Ukrainian soldiers crossed the demarcation line at the village of Naberezhne, north on Mariupol, and defected to the rebels.^[58]

9 October

The Ukrainian military reported no ceasefire violations^[59] during the last 24 hours. Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded after stepping on landmines, one of them at Yasinuvata, west of Avdiivka, in the northern outskirts of Donetsk city, and the other near Stanytsia Luhanska, in the northern front.^[60] Two civilians were also injured by booby traps during the same period.^[61] Rebel officials reported that the Ukrainian military fired on rebel positions on five occasions around Donetsk city, in the area north of Mariupol and near Horlivka. The separatists said that the Ukrainian side used small arms, rocket propelled grenades and mortars.^[62]

Positions of the Ukrainian 93rd mechanized brigade "Shaman" at Pisky, west of Donetsk city, were attacked at evening with grenade launchers and automatic weapons by pro-Russian scouts.^[63][64]

Separatist authorities of the Donetsk People's Republic rescheduled the local elections to February 2016, in accordance with the Minsk agreements.^[65]

10 October

The Ukrainian military reported no ceasefire violations^[66] and no casualties^[67] in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Ukrainian spokesman Andriy Lysenko said that the withdrawal of light artillery up to 100 mm from the demarcation line have begun and will last two days.^[68] Pro-Russian officials reported that rebel positions at Donetsk airport were the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers fired by Ukrainian troops at Butivka mining complex.^[69]

At evening, pro-Russian troops fired small arms at Ukrainian troops in Berdyanske, 20 km east of Mariupol.^[70] Separatist media accused the Ukrainian military of shelling Donetsk city using main battle tanks. The Ukrainian army denied the information as a "blatant lie".^[71] Separatist media actually reported 120 mm mortar attacks on the district of Kiev and 82 mm mortars on Vesele and Donetsk airport. The shelling came from Ukrainian positions at Pisky.^[72] Rebel officials, based upon an OSCE statement, later claimed that the rounds were 60 mm, a caliber that Ukraine's industry did not produce. This means that the Ukrainian government was purchasing foreign weapons.^[73]

Pro-Russia rebels said that Ukrainian army fire had killed one person and wounded another in their stronghold of Donetsk city.^[74]

11 October

According to the spokesman of the Ukrainian army the ceasefire in the Donbass region was generally observed by the anti-governmental forces during the last 24 hours. At around 13:00 pm Ukrainian positions near Berdyanske, about twenty kilometres east of Mariupol, were fired at from small arms.^[75] The Ukrainian military reported no casualties during the same period.^[76] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 13 occasions on rebel positions during the past day. The Ukrainian army used 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[77] The same sources said that one separatist soldier was killed and two others wounded at Vesele in the course of 10 October shelling of the village, in the surroundings of Donetsk city.^[78]

At Volnovakha, south of Donetsk city, a 12-year-old boy was severely injured by the explosion of an anti-personnel explosive device.^[79]

12 October

The Ukrainian army reported two ceasefire violations by anti-governmental forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, were attacked at 22:55 pm and positions at Novotroitske, south of Donetsk city, were attacked at 00:35 am.^[80] The Ukrainian military reported no casualties during the same period.^[81]

13 October

The spokesman of the Ukrainian army reported no ceasefire violations by anti-governmental forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours and characterised the situation as calm.^[82] According to military spokesman Andriy Lysenko Ukrainian positions between Berezove and Novotroitske, Donetsk Oblast, were fired at from small arms on 12 October.^[83][84]

A report on MH17 Ukraine disaster was published by the Dutch Safety Board.^[85][86]

14 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that rocket propelled grenade and automatic grenade launchers were used to attack their positions south of Avdiivka on 13 October. One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another three wounded.^[87][88][89]

Three Ukrainian soldiers raiding in a KrAZ-255 truck were wounded when an improvised explosive device blew up at Krasnaya Talivka, not far from Stanitsya Luhanska. Ukrainian authorities said that the bomb was planted by intruders who crossed into Ukraine from Russian territory.^[90]

15 October

The spokesman of the Ukrainian army reported no ceasefire violations by anti-governmental forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[91] In Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Oblast, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded by explosions of booby traps. Near Krasna Talivka, Luhansk Oblast, a vehicle with Ukrainian border guards exploded on a fougasse, nine border guards were wounded.^[92][93] Two female civilians were killed when another explosive device went off at Stanitsya Luhanska. Ukrainian authorities called the incident a "terrorist attack".^[94]

OSCE spokesman Michael Botsyurkiv reported that rebel forces still keep heavy weapons near the demarcation line.^[95]

16 October

The Ukrainian military reported no casualties and no violations of the ceasefire in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. In Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Oblast, two female civilians were killed by explosions of grenades trigged as a booby trap.^[96] Pro-Russian officials recorded three violations of the ceasefire committed by Ukrainian forces in the area south of Artemivsk and near Donetsk airport. The Ukrainians used small arms, automatic grenade launchers and mortars.^[97]

The Ukrainian army completed the withdrawal of mortars from the demarcation line in Luhansk Oblast.^[98]

17 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that no shots were fired during the last six hours of 16 October and the first six hours of 17 October.^[99] Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[100] Pro-Russian officials reported three Ukrainian violations of the truce at Pisky, Donetsk airport and the district of Kuybishev, west of Donetsk city. The sources said that Ukrainian forces used mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and "152 mm guns".^[101]

At around 16:00 pm Ukrainian positions at Pisky, about 2 km from the western border of the Donetsk airfield, were fired at from small arms, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded.^[102][103]

In Luhansk Oblast one Ukrainian serviceman and one female civilian were wounded by explosions of explosive devices.^[104]

18 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions at Shyrokyne, Donetsk Oblast, were fired at from small arms at 20:00 pm on 17 October.^[105] Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reported at noon that Ukrainian positions were attacked twice in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Small arms were used against Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Shyrokyne. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[106] Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence of the Donetsk People's Republic reported that the Ukrainian military opened small arms fire on rebel positions on two occasions. The incidents took place at Pisky and in the district of Kuybishev, in the outskirts of Donetsk city.^[107]

19 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the situation in the Donbass region has remained calm during the last 24 hours.^[108] Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at noon no casualties and no ceasefire violations during the same period.^[109] Members of the "Dnipro-1" battalion claimed the capture of the commander of a rebel mortar battery near Krimsky, during a patrol near the demarcation line.^[110] Rebel officials from the People's Republic of Donetsk reported a mortar attack on Donetsk airport.^[111]

Some observers of the conflict had expressed their opinion according to which there was finally a real ceasefire.^[112] The Ukrainian military said that some members of the pro-Russian 1st mechanized brigade were killed or wounded after stepping on landmines near Volnovakha.^[113] In Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, a female civilian was injured by the explosion of an explosive device.^[114]

20 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that no violations of the ceasefire were recorded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[115] Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded in action during the last 24 hours in the Donbass region. The serviceman died near Volnovakha when an improvised explosive device went off.^[116][117]

A volunteer from the Donbass Battalion was killed in a motorcycle accident near Mariupol.^[118] OSCE confirmed the death of a rebel soldier near Pisky during an engagement between separatist and Ukrainian forces late in the evening. Another militiaman was wounded.^[119] Sources from the Donetsk People's Republic claimed that the Ukrainians fired automatic weapons and mortar rounds on rebel positions for almost two hours.^[120]

Ukrainian and separatist forces began withdrawing tanks and smaller weapons from the frontline.^[121][122]

21 October

No ceasefire violations by the separatist forces were recorded by the Ukrainian military in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[123] One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded near Marinka in the course of demining.^[124]

According to U.S. officials advanced radar systems being shipped to Ukraine to counter artillery strikes by pro-Russia separatists have been modified to prevent them from peering into Russia.^[125]

22 October

The Ukrainian military reported no ceasefire violations by the separatist forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded by explosion of an improvised explosive device near Zolote, Luhansk Oblast.^[126] Military analyst Dmitry Tymchuk reported that a civilian was shot and killed by militias manning a checkpoint in Oleksandrivka, south of Donetsk city. The local resident was trying to cross into Ukrainian-held territory.^[127]

Both sides in Donetsk Oblast confirmed the withdrawal of their tanks from the demarcation line.^{[128][129][130]}

23 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that several ceasefire violations took place in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast – at Pisky, Opytne, and Shyrokyne – were fired at by rebels.^[131] The separatists used small arms, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars.^[132] Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at noon five violations of the ceasefire by the separatist forces and no casualties during the last 24 hours in the Donbass region.^[133] Separatist media said that Ukrainian troops from Pisky opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Spartak and the Donetsk city districts of Kuybishev and Petrovsky. The Ukrainians used small arms, mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[134]

At around 08:35 am a civilian was injured by explosion of a booby trap near Berezove, Donetsk Oblast.^[135]

24 October

According to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, two ceasefire violations by the rebels took place in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. At Shyrokyne small arms and grenade launchers were used by the separatists, but no casualties were caused.^[136]

According to a Russian Ministry of Defense official, referred to by the Washington Post, Russia has redeployed some of its elite units from Ukraine to Syria in recent weeks to support the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.^[137]

25 October

The Ukrainian military reported one ceasefire violation by the separatist forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast near the Putilovsk mine were the target of small arms and grenade launchers. As a result, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded.^[138] Officials from the Donetsk People's Republic claim that one house was set on fire when the district of Zhabichevo, northwest of Donetsk city, was shelled by the Ukrainian army. The same sources said that rebel positions at the district of Kuybishev were fired at by Ukrainian forces with small arms, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Spartak and Yasinuvata were also the target of mortar fire.^[139]

At around 02:30 am 25 October Ukrainian positions near the village of Pisky were fired at by the rebels during an hour – small arms, heavy machine guns, anti-aircraft systems, and various types of grenade launchers were used.^[140] Local elections were held in Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers in the operational area were able to cast their vote.^[141]

26 October

Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded as a result of the rebel attack on Pisky.^[142][143] Separatist media said that Ukrainian tanks attacked pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, northwest of Horlivka. Witnesses on the ground also reported clashes in Holmivsky and Zhovanki.^[144]

As of 26 October 2015 about 130 thousand fighters of ATO were officially acknowledged as participants of combat actions.^[145] An official of the National Guard of Ukraine reported 174 members of the National Guard killed and 729 injured or wounded in the Donbass region since the beginning of ATO on 15 April 2014. Another 26 servicemen were reported missing and seven were taken prisoners.^[146]

One Ukrainian soldier was killed in action in the evening when pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Opytne, west of Donetsk city.^[147]

27 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that no violations of the ceasefire were recorded in the Donbass region during the night of 27 October.^[148] Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk confirmed at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[149][150] Military analyst Dmitry Tymchuk confirmed the rebel attacks on Ukrainian positions near Opytne and Pisky. The Ukrainian troops received small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades from pro-Russian positions in Pisky and Vesele. The militias also fired 82 mm mortar rounds on Starohnativka, north of Mariupol. Pro-Russian infantry riding on armoured personnel carriers poured small arms fire on Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve. Rebel snipers were active in several areas of the demarcation line such as Marinka, west of Donetsk city, Shumy, south of Artemivsk, Popasna and Shchastya in the northern front and near Shyrokyne east of Mariupol.^[151]

At around 05:20 am one Ukrainian serviceman was injured in Luhansk Oblast by explosion of unidentified explosive device.^[152][153]

28 October

The Ukrainian military reported at noon one ceasefire violation by the separatist forces in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast near Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, were the target of small arms and grenade launchers. As a result, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded.^[154] Other sources from the Ukrainian army reported a 120 mm mortar attack on Ukrainian positions at Butivka mining complex and Zenit, near Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city.^[155]

By evening, Ukrainian troops had completed the withdrawal of light artillery from the area south of Artemivsk.^[156]

29 October

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that on 28 October from 19:40 to 20:10 pm their positions south of Avdiivka were the target of grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms. No ceasefire violations by the rebel forces were registered during the night of 29 October.^[157] Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reported at noon that as a result of the rebel attack near Avdiivka in the previous evening three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed by the explosion of a booby trap near Verkhnotoretske, north of Donetsk city.^[158]

Nine Ukrainians were released from militants' captivity.^[159][160]

30 October

According to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, as a result of a large fire at an ammunition depot in Svatove, Luhansk Oblast, that started at around 19:30 pm on 29 October, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another two wounded; one civilian was killed and another wounded also.^{[161][162][163]} As of 11:00 am 30 October, Friday, the count of wounded had risen to eight.^[164] The fire was extinguished by 18:00 pm.^{[165][166][167]} Two more dead bodies of Ukrainian servicemen were found under the ruins of the ammunition depot on Monday, 2 November.^[168]

Pro-Russian forces from Zhabichevo fired small arms, GP-25 grenade launchers and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers on Ukrainian positions near Pisky, west of Donetsk city. The attack lasted from 15:15 to 15:45 pm and resulted in one Ukrainian soldier killed and another wounded.^{[169][170][171]}

31 October

One Ukrainian serviceman was confirmed killed and another wounded during the attack on Ukrainian positions near Donetsk airfield on the previous day.^[165]

November

1 November

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no ceasefire violations by the rebel forces and no casualties in the Donbass region during the last day of October.^[172] Two Ukrainian officers were killed by the explosion of a booby trap in a wooden area between Avdiivka and Donetsk beltway.^{[172][173][174][175]}

During the morning, the village of Pisky, west of Donetsk city, was again the scenario of rebel attacks on Ukrainian positions. Pro-Russian forces fired heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[176]

2 November

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded as a result of attack on their positions near Pisky the previous morning.^[177] Military analyst Dmytro Tymchuk recorded a number of rebel "provocations" across the demarcation line over the past 48 hours, specially in Pisky, Opytne, Avdiivka, Marinka, Starohnativka, Chermalik, Pavlopil, Holmivsky and Popasna.^[178]

A female civilian was killed in the morning by explosion of a booby trap near Volnovakha, Donetsk Oblast.^[179]

3 November

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka and Pisky were the target of small arms and grenade launchers several times during the same period.^[180] According to Oleksandr Motuzyanyk 23 civilians (including four children) had been killed and 67 injured by explosions of explosive devices in Donetsk Oblast from the beginning of this year.^[180] Separatist media reports heavy shelling on the northern outskirts of Donetsk city. According to them, the Ukrainian military fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortar rounds. There were also claims of "Grad" artillery rockets fired at Staromyhailivka.^[181] The same sources, citing local residents, said that Ukrainian forces from Butivka mining complex attacked rebel-held Spartak with small arms, heavy machine guns and tanks.^[182]

Ukrainian positions near Trokhizbenka, in the area of Bakhmutka road, Luhansk Oblast, were shelled with automatic grenade launchers, three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[183] Pro-Russian forces carried out another eight attacks on Ukrainian troops across the Donbass. Small arms and automatic grenade launchers were fired at Avdiivka, Pisky, Opytne, west of Donetsk city and Shchastya, in the northern front. Snipers were also active in Avdiivka.^[184]

4 November

Five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[185][186] Eduard Basurin, deputy minister of defence of the Donetsk People's Republic said that the Ukrainian military broke the truce on 26 occasions on the past 24 hours. The main incidents took place west of Donetsk city, were Ukrainian forces opened fire on Spartak, Zhabichevo, Donetsk airport and Kuybishev district. Zaitseve and Ozeryanivka, in the area of Horlivka, were also the scenario of attacks. The Ukrainian military, who fired from Pisky, Avdiivka, Butivka mining complex, Zhovanka and Novoselivka, used, among other weapons, 82 mm mortars.^[187]

5 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:50 pm 4 November to 00:30 am 5 November their positions were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades on 12 occasions.^[188] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[189]

6 November

Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 13 occasions overnight with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city.^[190][191] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[192] Separatist officials said that four pro-Russian soldiers were killed in action during the past week.^[193]

7 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the ceasefire was violated in the Donbass region on 13 occasions during the last 24 hours by pro-Russian forces using small arms, rocket propelled grenades and antiaircraft cannons. The incidents took place around Donetsk city in the locations of Avdiivka, Opytne, Troitske, Krasnohorivka and Pisky.^[194] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. Four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded by the explosion of an explosive device near Marinka, west of Donetsk city.^[195] Pro-Russian sources said that Ukrainian forces fired "Grad" artillery rockets on a residential area of Donetsk city.^[196]

According to officially unconfirmed information 15 Ukrainian servicemen were killed as a result of attacks by pro-Russian forces on Ukrainian positions in Pisky, Avdiivka, Marinka, Opytne, and Stanitsya Luhanska.^[197][198] The report was categorally denied by the Ukrainian Chief of Staff on 16 November.^[199]

8 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning further escalation of the situation in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^{[200][201][202]} Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions. The militias launched four attacks on Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, south of Artemivsk, with small arms fire -including sniper fire-, heavy machine guns and antitank rockets. In the area around Donetsk city, small arms and heavy machine guns were fired on Opytne, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Novhorodske. In the area of Mariupol, the rebels harassed Ukrainian positions around Hranitne with small arms fire, machine gun fire and automatic grenade launchers.^[203] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine reported at noon no Ukrainian casualties in the Donbass region during the same period.^[204]

Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces from Zhovanki shelled rebel positions around Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. Separatist media claimed that unidentified troops entered the village of Zaitseve itself, right on the demarcation line.^[205] The Ukrainian military said that rebel forces attempted an assault on Ukrainian positions at Maiorsk, northwest of Horlivka. The militias were repelled with the use of small arms fire, and suffered a number of casualties. Zaitseve, Novhorodske, Troitske and Pisky were also the target of pro-Russian forces, which opened fire with small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars.^[206]

Near Marinka, Donetsk Oblast, one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others injured.^[207] Near Mykolayivka, Donetsk Oblast, two civilians were injured by explosion of a landmine.^[208]

9 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the ceasefire was violated in the Donbass region on 20 occasions during the last 24 hours by pro-Russian forces.^[209] Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Shumy, in the area south of Artemivsk, Shchastya, in the northern front, Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, were the target of pro-Russian forces. Most of the attacks, however, took place around Donetsk city; Avdiivka, Opytne, Verhnetoretske, Krasnohorivka and Pisky were pounded from rebel positions with small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles.^[210] Shyrokyne was hit by 82 mm mortars.^[211] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, specified at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and five other wounded near Kurakhove, west of Donetsk city, the previous day.^[212][213]

Late in the evening, pro-Russian troops shelled Ukrainian positions around Donetsk airport, Avdiivka, Opytne, Krasnohorivka and Troitske. Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, was also targeted, and one servicemen was wounded by shrapnel there. According to Vladimir Seleznev, spokesman of the Ukrainian Chief of Staff, the militias used heavy weaponry such as SPG-9 recoilless guns, antiarcraft cannons and armoured fighting vehicles. Witnesses on the ground claimed the use of tanks and antitank rockets.^[211]

10 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were targeted by rebels from various types of weaponry – from small arms and grenade launchers to anti-aircraft guns and mortars – on 33 occasions, from 18:00 pm the previous evening till 01:05 am 10 November.^[214][215] Ukrainian sources denounced the use of banned 120 mm mortars by rebel forces against Popasna and Bohuslavske, in the northern front.^[216] Ukrainian witnesses on the ground claimed that the militias were triying to grab Ukrainian-held areas between Zaitseve and Maiorsk. The launched five assaults using armoured fighting vehicles and mortars.^[217] The Ukrainian side returned fire.^[218] Separatist troops also used BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles and Zu-23-2 antiaircraft cannons to attack Ukrainian outposts around Verkhnotoretske, southwest of Horlivka.^[219] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[220]

Pro-Russian forces continued to harass Ukrainian positions throughout the day in the area of Mariupol, south of Artemivsk, around Donetsk city and in the northern front. The separatists fired 82 mm mortars on Bolotene, Luhansk Oblast, and on Maiorsk, west of Horlivka. Ukrainian outposts around Opytne and Pisky, west of Donetsk city, and Starohnativka and Hranitne, north of Mariupol, were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[221]

One Ukrainian serviceman was killed by explosion of a landmine near Volnovakha, another Ukrainian soldier was wounded near Hranitne, both casualties occurred in Donetsk Oblast.^[222]

The head of the Regional Administration of Donetsk Oblast, Paul Zhebrivskyi, said that the militias resumed the systematic shelling of civilian infrastructure in the Donbass.^[223]

11 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on multiple occasions. At around 22:00 pm a clash of arms between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place near the settlements of Zaitseve and Maiorsk, north of Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast.^[224][225] Ukrainian officials also claimed to have beaten off two infiltration attempts by pro-Russian forces during the night in the area of Novozvanivka, south of Popasna, Luhansk Oblast. The militias withdrew with several casualties.^[226] Also in the northern front, rebel snipers from Vesele Hora targeted Ukrainian troops in Shchastya, and 2B9 Vasilek automatic mortars and automatic grenade launchers from rebel-held Pionersk and Nikolaievka pounded Ukrainian positions at Bolotene and Syze.^[227] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and five others wounded in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[228][229]

12 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions at Avdiivka and Troitske, around Donetsk city, at Bohdanivka, north of Mariupol, and at Trokhizbenka, Luhansk Oblast, were fired at from mortars, grenade launchers and small arms by pro-Russian forces on several occasions. A number of heavy explosions were heard from the direction of Horlivka.^{[230][231][232]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[233]

By evening, separatist troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. They used small arms -including sniper fire-, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades against Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky, west of Donetsk city, and Novhorodske, southwest of Horlivka.^[234]

13 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions in Donetsk Oblast were fired at from grenade launchers, heavy machine guns, and small arms by pro-Russian forces on multiple occasions. From 18:25 pm to 19:15 pm an intensive clash of arms between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place near Zaitseve, north of Horlivka.^{[235][236][237][238]} One Ukrainian soldier was killed in action and other three wounded according to the secretary of Ukraine's Security and Defense Council (RNBO), Oleksandr Turchinov. The militias broke the ceasefire on 22 occasions overnight.^[237][239] A 60-year-old man civilian was killed along with his 29-year-old son when the civilian vehicle they were riding on struck a landmine near Volnovakha, north of Mariupol.^[240][241]

Pro-Russian forces fired on Ukrainian positions on five occasions throghout the day. The separatists used small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Most incidents took place in Shchastya, in the northern front, and in Zaitseve and Maiorsk, south of Artemivsk.^[242]

14 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts were fired at from various types of weaponry, including 82 mm mortars, on multiple occasions. At around 20:00 pm a two-hour clash of arms between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place near Verkhnotoretske, north of Donetsk city.^{[243][244][245][246]} The rebels used small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles.^[247] Another clash with Ukrainian casualties occurred near Marinka.^[248] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and four others wounded in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[241]

Another Ukrainian soldier was killed and eight wounded in the afternoon, when pro-Russian forces shelled their trenches around Avdiivka with 120 mm mortars.^[249][250]

15 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by morning 15 November Ukrainian positions in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts had been fired at by pro-Russian troops on 30 occasions.^[251][252] The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky, Krasnohorivka, Novhorodske and Marinka, -around Donetsk city- Lozove, Zaitseve, Luhanske and Maiorsk, -south of Artemivsk- Stanitsya Luhanska and Popasna, -northern front- and Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol. Separatist sources recorded 11 violations of the truce by Ukrainian forces around Donetsk city and Horlivka using small arms, mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks.^[253] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO confirmed at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and eight others wounded near Avdiivka, north of Donetsk city.^[250][254]

The Ukrainian army said the separatists opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 13 occasions throughout the day. Rebel troops pounded Ukrainian positions near Pisky, Opytne and Krasnohorivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. In the case of Pisky, 82 mm mortar volleys were also fired at Ukrainian troops. Hranitne, north of Mariupol, was the target of antitank rockets. Pro-Russian media reported 16 Ukrainian attacks on their troops by evening.^[255]

16 November

The spokesman of the ATO headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by morning of 16 November pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 16 occasions, including on 5 occasions aiming directly at Ukrainian positions in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.^[256][257] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed on the previous day by explosion of a radio controlled fougasse near Zolote, Luhansk Oblast.^[198] Lysenko added, that Ukraine could return artillery to its eastern frontline if fighting with pro-Russian separatists escalates further.^[198][258] Regarding the alleged death of 15 Ukrainian servicemen on 7 November, that was announced in media the previous day, Lysenko said the investigation is under way.^[198]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had carried out 21 attacks on Ukrainian positions in the areas west of Donetsk city and south of Artemivsk. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars on Marinka, Pisky Nevelske and Krasnohorivka. Zaitseve, south of Artemivsk, was the target of the same kind of weapons.^[259]

17 November

The spokesman of ATO headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by morning of 17 November pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 25 occasions, including on 20 occasions in areas west of Donetsk city,^[260][261] like Avdiivka, Marinka, Troitske, Verkhnetoretske, Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Marinka, where the militias used small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and antiaircraft cannons. The rebels harassed Ukrainian troops with small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades at Zaitseve, Novhorodske -south of Artemivsk- and Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[262] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that pro-Russian forces did not violate the ceasefire in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. In Donetsk Oblast three Grad missiles were launched from the frontline situated Staromykhailivka in direction of Krasnohorivka and nine missiles in direction of Hirnyk. Other types of weaponry, including 82 mm mortars, were used by pro-Russian forces as well. As a result, three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[263]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian troops fired on Ukrainian positions at Pisky, Opytne, Krasnohorivka and Marinka. The rebels used small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles. Opytne was also shelled with 82 mm mortars fired from Spartak in the early hours of the morning.^[264]

18 November

The spokesman of ATO headquarters reported in the morning that at around 23:00 pm on the previous evening, near Orikhove-Donetske, Luhansk Oblast, on the banks of Siverskyi Donets, the government forces were engaged in a battle with two reconnaissance-diversionary militia units.^[265][266] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded by explosion of a booby trap in Stanytsia-Luhanska Raion.^[267]

By evening, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 17 occasions on Ukrainian positions, 15 in the area around Donetsk and two south of Artemivsk. The rebels pounded Avdiivka, Opytne, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Novhorodske, Pervomaisk, Lozove and Troitske with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[268] A Ukrainian Border Guard's crossing point at Novotroitske, on the demarcation line north of Mariupol, was temporary shut down in the afternoon after being the target of an 11-minute mortar barrage fired by separatist militias.^[269][270]

19 November

The spokesman of ATO headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by morning of 19 November pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 30 occasions, including on 15 occasions in areas west of Donetsk city.^[271][272] The rebels employed small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortars and BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles.^[273] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. As a result of a car collision between civilian and military trucks in Luhansk Oblast one female Ukrainian soldier and one civilian were killed, seven Ukrainian servicemen were injured. In Marinka one civilian was injured by explosion of a booby trap.^[274] Ukrainian officials recorded 49 armed incidents at mid-morning involving small arms, rocket propelled grenades, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Thirty-two attacks were carried out on Avdiivka, Marinka, Butivka mining complex, Novhorodske and Opytne -Donetsk city's area-, fifteen on Lozove, Maiorsk and Troitske-South of Artemivsk-, one on Hranitne -Volnovakha region- and one on Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[275]

Pro-Russian militias broke the ceasefire on 12 occasions by evening. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Opytne and Avdiivka. Ukrainian positions at Krasnohorivka were also the target of automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortar rounds. Maiorsk, south of Artemivsk, was also pounded by separatist troops from Horlivka.^[276]

20 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 20 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 36 occasions, including on 30 occasions using grenade launchers, anti-aircraft systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms.^[277][278] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[279]

Throughout the day, the separatists concentrated their efforts west of Donetsk city. Most attacks were directed against Ukrainian positions around Troitske, where the rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The militias used the same kind of weapons on Pisky, Verhnotoretske, Marinka and Novhorodske. The Ukrainian military also reported armed incidents south of Artemivsk in the villages of Luhanske, Zaitseve and Maiorsk. Pro-Russian militants executed harassing fire on Ukrainian troops at Novotoshkivka, in the area of Bakhmutka road, Luhansk Oblast.^[280]

21 November

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[281][282] Overnight, the militias concentrated their activity around Donetsk city. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Avdiivka and Pisky, and mortars on Krasnohorivka and Marinka. The separatists also harassed Ukrainian troops at Lozove, south of Artemivsk with heavy machine guns and with small arms and rocket propelled grenades at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[283]

in the course of the day, according to the Ukrainian military, pro-Russian forces continued their violations of the Minsk agreement by firing automatic weapons and antitank rockets on Ukrainian positions in the areas of Donetsk city and Artemivsk.^[284]

22 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 22 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 40 occasions, including on 30 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city. Most attacks occurred at Marinka, Pisky, Avdiivka and Pervomaisk, where the rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns, and rocket propelled grenades.^[285][286] Marinka and Krasnohorivka were the target of 82 mm mortar rounds. In the northern front, separatist militias pounded Shchastya with rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars late in the evening. In the area of Mariupol, the same kind of weapons were used to harass Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne, while the village of Chermalyk received automatic fire from the eastern bank of the Kalmius river.^[287] Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve, south of Artemivsk, were hit by small arms fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[284] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[288] Donetsk People's Republic officials reported 14 ceasefire violations by the Ukrainian army, specially in the outskirts of Donetsk city. The Ukrainian military used small arms, armoured fighting vehicles, mortars and artillery on separatist positions at Staromyhailivka, Petrovsky district, Spartak and Zhabichevo. Mortar rounds also landed in the village of Shyroka Balka, west of Horlivka.^[289]

Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the morning when an improvised explosive device went off near Stanitsya Luhanska, in the northern front.^[290] Two male civilians were injured by explosion of a booby trap near Karachun Hill, Donetsk Oblast.^[291][292] According to a report released this week by Ukraine Under Attack, a non-profit initiative of the Ukrainian Crisis Media Center, four children and 21 adults have been killed in explosions in the Donetsk region so far this year.^[293] By evening, pro-Russian forces continued to fire upon Ukrainian strongholds west of Donetsk city like Marinka, Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Opytne was also attacked by armoured fighting vehicles. The villages of Luhanske, south of Artemivsk, and Sukhodil, Luhansk Oblast, were shelled with 82 mm mortars.^[294]

23 November

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 23 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 37 occasions.^[295][296] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action and two others wounded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[297]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire on 23 occasions throughout the day. Most of the incidents took place around Donetsk city. The separatist attacked Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Opytne, Marinka, Novhorodske, Pervomaisk and Pisky with small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles. Sniper activity was also reported at Opytne. Shchastya, in the northern front, was once again the target of rocket propelled grenades.^[298]

24 November

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 24 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions.^[299][300] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Another two Ukrainian soldiers were injured by the explosion of a booby trap.^[301]

Pro-Russian forces continued to open fire on Ukrainian positions in the main areas around the demarcation line. Krasnohorivka, in the surroundings of Donetsk city, was the main focus of the rebel attacks. The militias harassed the Ukrainian stronghold with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and antiaircraft cannons. Other Ukrainian outposts in the area were the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades at Avdiivka, Pisky, Novhorodske and Opytne. In the region between Artemivsk and rebel-held Horlivka, separatist troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Ukrainian troops in Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Luhanske. Pavlopil, north of Mariupol, was the target of small arms fire in the early afternoon.^[302]

In Stanytsia Luhanska a female civilian and a soldier were hospitalized after having been injured by the explosion of unidentified explosive device.^[303]

25 November

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 25 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions. At around 21:00 pm a clash of arms took place between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces near Syze, east of Stanitsya Luhanska and about 2 km west of Russian border.^[304][305] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and eight others wounded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[306]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire on 23 occasions throughout the day. The rebels continued to concentrate their actions around Donetsk city, where the villages of Pisky, Marinka, Krasnohorivka, Opytne, Novhoroske and Verhnetoretske were the target of small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Two civilian residents were injured at Marinka. Luhanske, south of Artemivsk, was the target of small arms and machine gun fire.^[307] According to the Ukrainian military, the militias fired at least 20 "Grad" artillery rockets from Horlivka in direction of Spartak, both in rebel held territories, late in the night.^{[308][309][310]}

26 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 26 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions.^[311][312] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[313]

Pro-Russian forces continued to harass Ukrainian positions throughout the day around Donetsk city. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Avdiivka, Opytne, Marinka and Pisky. The Ukrainian military reported close combat in the village of Kamyanka, where a separatist reconnaissance group attempted to break through the Ukrainian lines. The fighting lasted for 25 minutes before the militiamen withdrew.^[314][315]

27 November

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm until 23:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions. From 23:00 pm until the morning of 27 November no ceasefire violations were recorded.^[316][317] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. In Luhansk Oblast a female civilian was injured by explosion of a booby trap. In Milove, Luhansk Oblast, Ukrainian border guards detained two strayed Russian servicemen.^[315] According to Moscow the servicemen simply did not notice the frontier posts.^[318][319]

The militias decreased their activity on the demarcation line throughout the day. There were, however, three incidents in the surroundings of Donetsk city. Pro-Russian fighting armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian positions around Krasnohorivka, which was also the target of small arms fire. Automatic weapons were also used to harass Ukrainian troops at Pisky.^[320] Late in the evening, pro-Russian fighting armoured vehicles opened fire again, this time on Ukrainian outposts at Avdiivka, where small arms fire was also reported. Marinka was the target of 82 mm mortar rounds. South of Artemivsk, Ukrainian troops received small arms fire at Luhanske.^[321]

28 November

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 28 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 10 occasions.^{[322][323][324]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no combat related casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. In Donetsk Oblast five Ukrainian servicemen were injured by explosions of improvised explosive devices.^[325]

By evening, pro-Russian forces had continued their attacks on Ukrainian positions around Donetsk city and south of Artemivsk. The rebels fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and Marinka, west of Donetsk city. Troitske, Zaitseve and Luhanske were the target of small arms and heavy machine gun fire.^[326]

29 November

According to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^{[327][328][329]} The area west of Donetsk was the main target of the militias, which harassed the Ukrainian strongholds of avdiivka and Pisky with small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars. Nearby Opytne was the target of automatic grenade launchers at night. South of Artemivsk, Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Kodema were hit by the same kind of weapons. The rebels also used hand grenades in Zaitseve. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, received small arms fire.^[330]

30 November

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 30 November pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions.^[331][332] Most of the incidents took place around Donetsk city and in the area south of Artemivsk. The militias harassed Ukrainian positions at Pisky, Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and in the case of Krasnohorivka, 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops in Zaitseve and Maiorsk received small arms fire, while Starohnativka -north of Mariupol- was the target of automatic weapons -including heavy machine guns- and antitank rockets.^[333] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Near Donetsk city a civilian was wounded.^[334]

In the course of the day, pro-Russian militias opened fire on Ukrainian troops on eight occasions with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The incidents occurred in Avdiivka, Opytne and Krasnohorivka -around Donetsk city- and Maiorsk and Zaitseve, in the area south of Artemivsk.^[335]

December

1 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning no ceasefire violations from 23:40 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 1 December.^[336][337] According to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. The fatality occurred near Hranitne, north of Mariupol, where a Ukrainian army truck hit an anti-tank mine.^{[338][339][340]}

Pro-Russian forces continued to open fire on Ukrainian positions throughout the day in the areas of Donetsk, Mariupol and Artemivsk. The rebels carried out harassing fire on the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Novhorodske, Krasnohorivka, Nevelske and Opytne with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. Krasnohorivka and Nevelske were also the target of 82 mm mortars. Small-arms fire and automatic grenade launchers pounded Novotroitske, north of Mariupol, and Luhanske, south of Artemivsk.^[341]

2 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that close-combat clashes took place near Avdiivka the previous evening at about 19:10 pm. The Ukrainian positions were attacked by a group of 20 separatist troops, and the engagement lasted for 20 minutes.^{[342][343][344]} The rebels also opened fire on Ukrainian positions around Donetsk city, south of Artemivsk and Mariupol. The militias fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Berezove, Novhorodske, Opytne, Pisky, Maryinka. The same kind of weapons were used against Shyrokyne and Hranitne, which was also the target of 82 mm mortars. Antitank rockets were fired on Zaitseve and Luhanske.^[342] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed in action and three others wounded in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[345] Pro-Russian media claim that the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire on 12 occasions over the past 24 hours, using small arms, heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks.^[346]

According to NATO's top commander Philip Breedlove "Russia is completely in control of what is happening on the line of contact and they will use that in the future".^[347] NATO Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the Alliance’s continued political and practical support for Ukraine.^[348]

Pro-Russian forces continued to break the truce throughout the day. Militiamen harassed Ukrainian troops in Pisky, Zaitseve and Maiorsk with small arms fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Zaitseve was also fired at from pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles.^[349]

3 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening until 24:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on six occasions. During the night Ukrainian positions near Pisky were fired at from small arms on two occasions.^[350][351] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[352]

Pro-Russian forces carried out four attacks on Ukrainian positions throughout the day. Pisky, west of Donetsk city and Luhanske, south of Artemivsk, were the target of small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Rocket propelled grenades hit Ukrainian outposts at Maiorsk.^[353]

Pavlopil and Pyshchevyk, two villages near Mariupol who were located in the buffer zone established by the Minsk agreement, were brought under Ukrainian military control.^[354]

4 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 4 December pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions.^[355][356] Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the miltias pounded Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Pisky, Opytne and Novhorodske with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Novhorodske was also the target of 82 mm mortar rounds. Small arms and rocket propelled grenades were also used against Zaitseve, Luhanske -south of Artemivsk- and Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[357] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no ceasefire violations in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. In Donetsk Oblast, near Hnutove, about 25 km northeast of Mariupol, a Ukrainian BRDM-2 reconnaissance vehicle hit a mine, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, five others were wounded.^[358]

Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 16 occasions throughout the day, seven of them in the village of Novhorodske, northwest of Donetsk city. During the morning, rebel troops attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Novhorodske with small arms fire, heavy machine guns, heavy antitank rockets, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. By evening, the militias continued to harass Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske, Zaitseve, Krasnohorivka and Pisky.^[359]

5 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 5 December pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 11 occasions.^[360][361] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no ceasefire violations in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. In Donetsk Oblast several ceasefire violations and a clash of arms between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place. As a result, one Ukrainian soldier was killed, three others were wounded.^[362] Separatist media reported the death of a female civilian, killed by Ukrainian shelling north of Horlivka. The same sources accused Ukrainian forces of shelling the village of Zaitseve, partially under the control of pro-Russian troops, in the same area. The Ukrainian army used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks.^[363] Also according to the militias, 120 mm mortar rounds fired from Shyrokyne landed in the village of Kominterovo, east of Mariupol.^[364]

Throughout the day, separatist troops continued to harass Ukrainian positions, specially in the region south of Artemivsk, where they carried out attacks on Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Luhanske. Around Donetsk city, Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Marinka, Opytne, Novhorodske and Krasnohorivka were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Zaitseve and Opytne were pounded with 82 mm mortar barrages. Antitank guided missiles were fired on Hranitne, north of Mariupol.^[365]

6 December

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that as a result of pro-Russian attacks during the previous day one Ukrainian soldier was killed in Zaitseve, south of Artemivsk.^[366][367] In the area of Donetsk city, the militias opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Pisky, Troitske and Novhorodske with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The same kind of weapons harassed Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne. Sniper activity was also reported at Novhorodske. Zaitseve and Maiorsk, south of Artemivsk, were the target of small arms fire.^[368] The Ukrainian military claimed that their troops beat off a pro-Russian assault of more than 100 militants in Maiorsk, killing at least 20 of them. Two vehicles and one mortar team were also reported destroyed. The militias retaliated by firing on the Ukrainian lines with small arms, heavy machine guns, heavy antitank rockets, armoured fighting vehicle's cannons and 82 mm mortars. The rebels also fired on Ukrainian troops from an armoured fighting vehicle hidden behind a school building in Zaitseve.^[369]

By evening, the Ukrainian military recorded 17 attacks by pro-Russian forces across the demarcation line. The rebels fired banned 82 mm mortars on Zhelezna Balka, Novhorodske and Verkhnotoreske, in the area around Donetsk city. Avdiivka, Marinka and Opytne, also near Donetsk, and Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Luhanske, south of Artemivsk, were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Krasnohorivka, west of Donetsk city, was fired on from the nearby village of Staromyhailivka with small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, armoured fighting vehicle's cannons and 82 mm mortars.^[370]

7 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 7 December pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 51 occasions.^[371][372] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^{[373][374][375]}

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces continued their attacks on Ukrainian positions along the demarcation line, specially around Donetsk city. The rebels opened fire on Marinka, Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Novhorodske with small arms, heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicle's cannons. Small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and mortar barrages were reported in Maiorsk, south of Artemivsk, and in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zhovte and Bolotene, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front. Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, was the target of small arms fire. Rebel snipers were active in Zaitseve, Marinka and Novhorodske.^[376]

8 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on multiple occasions. At around 18:00 pm a clash of arms between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place near Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast.^[377][378] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action and two others by explosions of explosive devices over the last 24 hours in the Donbass region.^[379][380]

Pro-Russian forces continued to put on pressure on Ukrainian positions across the demarcation line, specially around Donetsk city and south of Artemivsk.^[381] The Ukrainian strongholds of Verkhnetoretske, Pisky, Avdiivka, Opytne and Novhorodske were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The rebels also fired 82 mm mortar rounds on Pisky. Between Artemivsk and Horlivka, the militias attacked the villages of Luhanske, Zaitseve and Maiorsk with small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles. Antitank guided missiles also landed in Luhanske. Rocket propelled grenades were fired at Ukrainian troops in Stanytsia Luhanska, in the northern front.^[381]

9 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 9 December pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions, including one "Grad" multiple rocket strike on Zoryane, west of Donetsk city.^{[382][383][384]} Pro-Russian tanks shelled the village of Verkhnetoretske, in the same area. Pisky was attacked repeatedly with small arms, heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars. Krasnohorivka and Verkhnetoretske were shelled with 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, as well as Luhanske and Zaitseve, in the area between Artemivsk and Horlivka. East of Mariupol, the militias harassed Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne with small arms fire, sniper fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[385] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[386] The next day it was specified that the number of servicemen wounded on 8 December was nine, not five.^[387]

One Ukrainian armoured vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device near Opytne. Two soldiers were killed and seven wounded.^[388] Opytne, together with Pisky and Krasnohorivka, was also the target of small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Avdiivka and Novhorodske. Sniper activity was reported at Avdiivka, while 82 mm mortar barrages were fired on Opytne. Pro-Russian forces pounded Ukrainian positions at Luhanske and Maiorsk, in the region south of Artemivsk, with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[389]

The report by the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights put the death toll from 20 months of fighting at more than 9,100.^{[390][391][392]}

10 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 10 December pro-Russian troops had opened fire on more than 30 occasions. A brief engagement between pro-Russian and Ukrainian forces took place near Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast.^[393][394] Pro-Russian tanks attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, while "Grad" multiple rocket launchers were used to shell Kurakhivka.^[395] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 10 others wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. Fighting erupted in the settlement of Novotroitske, Donetsk Oblast.^[387]

By evening, separatist troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 25 occasions. The militants concentrated their attacks on Ukrainian strongholds around Donetsk city, such as Opytne and Novhorodske, where pro-Russian forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Sniper activity was also reported at Novhorodske. In the area north of Mariupol, the militias harassed Ukrainian troops in Hranitne and Starohnativka with heavy machine gun fire. Antitank rockets struck Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve and Maiorsk, between Artemivsk and Horlivka, and a sniper fired upon Ukrainian troops in Luhanske. In the northern front, the village of Nyzhnoteple, Luhansk Oblast, was raked with heavy machine gun fire.^[396]

11 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on about 40 occasions during the night.^[397][398] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[399]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire on 15 occasions throughout the day, specially in the area around Donetsk city. The rebels opened fire with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Pisky, Avdiivka, Opytne and Krasnohorivka. Ukrainian positions at Pisky were also the target of hostile snipers. Other two outposts there were also hit by antitank rockets. Luhanske, south of Artemivsk, was the target of heavy machine gun fire. Drones apparently launched from Russia were also spotted over the operational area.^[400]

In a speech at the UN Security Council meeting held in New York Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin stated that 13,500 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place since the start of Donbass conflict.^[401][402]

12 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on almost 50 occasions overnight.^[403][404] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no ceasefire violations in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in Donetsk Oblast during the same period.^[405]

By evening, the militias had broken the truce on 25 occasions, according to the Ukrainian military. In the morning, pro-Russian tanks and armoured vehicles from rebel-held Dokuchaievsk shelled Ukrainian positions at Novotroitske, west of Horlivka, supported by heavy machine gun and 82 mm mortar fire. Elsewhere in the area around Donetsk city, Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Pisky and Novhorodske were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Rebel armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian outposts at Krasnohorivka. Small arms fire was reported in Marinka. South of Artemivsk, separatist forces used heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and armoured fighting vehicles to attack the village of Luhanske. Zaitseve was the target of antitank rockets and 82 mm mortars. In Hranitne, north of Mariupol, the militias fired heavy machine guns.^[406]

Leader of the separatist First Cossack Regiment Pavel Dryomov was killed when his car was blown up while he was traveling the day after his wedding.^[407]

13 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on more than 20 occasions during the night.^[408][409] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[410]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces opened fire on 15 occasions on Ukrainian positions. The separatists recurred to small arms and grenade launchers to harass Ukrainian troops at Opytne, Pisky and Novhorodske, west of Donetsk city. Pisky and Opytne were also the target of heavy machine gun fire. Krasnohorivka, meanwhile, was shelled with 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian positions south of Artemivsk were pounded with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades in the strongholds of Zaitseve, Luhanske and Maiorsk.^[411]

14 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on about 25 occasions overnight.^[412][413] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no ceasefire violations in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in Donetsk Oblast during the same period.^[414] According to some observes the tit-for-tat exchanges along the frontline, which have characterised the war throughout much of this year, have returned.^[415]

According to Ukrainian military sources, separatist militias broke the ceasefire on ten occasions throughout the day. The rebels opened small arms fire on Ukrainian outposts at Pisky and Novhorodske, west of Donetsk city. Pisky was also the target of antitank rockets. In the northern front, pro-Russian forces pounded Ukrainian positions near Trokhizbenka with heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[416]

15 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 11 occasions during the night. Four antitank missiles were fired on the village of Luhanske, in the area between Artemivsk and Horlivka.^{[417][418][419]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[420]

In the course of the day, pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on ten occasions. Most attacks took place around Donetsk city, where the militias fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades upon Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky and Novhorodske. Ukrainian military sources also claimed that 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Pisky. In the region south of Artemivsk, small arms fire was reported in Luhanske, while Zaitseve was shelled with rocket propelled grenades.^[421]

16 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions overnight.^{[422][423][424]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no ceasefire violations in Luhansk Oblast during the last 24 hours. One Ukrainian scout was killed in action. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded by a booby trap blast.^[425][426]

By evening, the separatists had violated the truce on 18 occasions according to the Ukrainian army. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the rebels opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Opytne, Pisky and Butivka mining complex with small arms, snipers, machine guns and grenade launchers. Between Horlivka and Artemivsk, the village of Luhanske was the target of rocket propelled grenades, while Ukrainian troops at Leninske were harassed with small arms fire. Hostile unmanned aerial vehicles were reported flying over the demarcation zone.^[427]

One Ukrainian serviceman was injured by explosion of a booby trap near Syze, Stanytsia-Luhanska district.^[428]

17 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on about 20 occasions overnight, heavy artillery was not used.^[429][430] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[431][432]

Pro-Russian forces continued their violations of the truce throughout the day. Ukrainian authorities reported 15 attacks on their troops by evening. The Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka was fired at on two occasions with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. In the area west of Donetsk city, small arms fire was also fired on Pisky, Novoselivka and Butivka mining complex. Opytne was the target of automatic grenade launchers, and rocket propelled grenades landed in residential areas of Avdiivka. In the region between Artemivsk and Horlivka, Ukrainian troops were harassed with small arms fire in Luhanske and Zaitseve. In the northern front, the militias fired rocket propelled grenades on Trokhizbenka.^[433]

Russian president Putin admitted in Moscow the presence of [Russian] people in Ukraine, engaged in solving certain questions, including in the military sphere, and added that this does not mean the presence of regular Russian army [in Ukraine].^{[434][435][436]} Ukrainian president Poroshenko visited the Staff of NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and the Staff of NATO Special Forces.^[437] NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg assured in Brussels that NATO continues to stand by Ukraine with both political and practical support.^[438][439]

18 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on almost 20 occasions overnight.^[440][441] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[442]

At around 11:00 am the settlement of Troitske, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern part of the front, was shelled with 82 mm mortars from Kalinove.^[443] At around 12:00 am residential areas in the settlement of Novhorodske, north of Donetsk city, were shelled with "Grad" multiple rocket launchers.^[444] Ukrainian positions near Novhorodske were also the target of sniper fire, heavy machine guns, antiaircraft cannons and armoured fighting vehicles. Antiaircraft cannons were also fired on Marinka, and snipers were reported at Pisky. Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka were harassed with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. East of Mariupol, an intense exchange of fire between the warring sides took place at Shyrokyne. All say, there were 20 violations of the ceasefire by evening.^[445]

19 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 59 occasions overnight.^{[446][447][448]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[449][450] He also said that aerial surveillance by pro-Russian drones had increased dramatically.^[451] It was specified on 22 December that on 18 December six servicemen were wounded, not five.^[452]

By evening, the militias had broken the ceasefire on 35 occasions. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where Ukrainian positions at the villages of Pisky, Avdiivka and Opytne were harassed with small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The Ukrainian troops returned fire. In the area between Horlivka and Artemivsk, rebel snipers were active in Novhorodske and Luhanske. Zaitseve was shelled with automatic grenade launchers, while heavy machine gun raked Ukrainian outposts at Troitske. Besides the sniper fire, Novhoroske was also the target of small arms. In the northern front, 120 mm mortar barrages landed in the village of Nyzhnoteple, while Donetskiy was the target of 82 mm mortar rounds.^[453]

20 December

The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[454][455] Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 63 occasions overnight. In the region around Donetsk city, the rebels poured small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades on Krasnohorivka, Pisky, Opytne and Avdiivka. In the region between Horlivka and Artemivsk, the same kind of weapons were used to harass Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, Luhanske and Maiorsk. Ukrainian outposts around Hranitne, north of Mariupol, were the target of automatic grenade launchers and sniper fire. In the northern front -Luhansk Oblast- the separatist fired antitank rockets on Shchastya on two occasions.^[456]

21 December

Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action over the past 24 hours in the Donbass region.^[457] The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that from 18:00 pm the previous evening by 06:00 am 21 December pro-Russian troops had opened fire on more than 35 occasions. An hour long engagement between the warring factions took place in the northern area of the demarcation line near Troitske, Luhansk Oblast. In the same sector of the front, banned 120 mm mortar rounds landed near Stanitsya Luhanska. Ukrainian positions at Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, were the target of small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicles' cannon fire. South of Artemivsk, Luhanske and Maiorsk were meanwhile pounded with automatic grenade launchers. Zaitseve, in the same area, and Kasnohorivka, west of Donetsk city, were shelled with 82 mm mortars. Krasnohorivka was also fired on by pro-Russian tanks. Also around Donetsk, rebel forces harassed Ukrainian troops with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Pisky, Opytne and Avdiivka.^[458][459]

By evening, the separatists had broken the ceasefire 18 times, more of them around Donetsk city. Ukrainian forces returned fire. The militias opened fire with small arms, rocket launchers, antiaircraft cannons and 82 mm on Novhorodske, and pounded Pisky with automatic fire and rocket propelled grenades. Heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades were also reported at Luhanske and Artemove, south of Artemivsk, The same kind of weapons were used against Ukrainian outposts at Shyrokyne.^[460]

22 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on eight occasions overnight. Battles took place near Marinka and Shchastya.^[461][462] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[452] meanwhile, pro-Russian sources in Donetsk dennounced that Ukrainian forces from positions around nearby Zhobanka, to the south, pounded the village of Zaitseve with automatic fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds.^[463]

The village of Kominternove, about 24 km east of Mariupol, in the so-called grey area, was captured by Donetsk People's Republic forces^[464] using tanks and armoured personnel carriers.^[465] The information was denied by separatist officials,^[466] but confirmed by eyewitnesses. Five pro-Russian tanks were deployed between Kominternove and Zaichenko, to the east, while some 100 militiamen entered the village's centre in five armoured vehicles.^[467] OSCE observers were prevented from reaching the area, according to the Ukrainian military. The same sources claimed that the rebels fired 82 mm mortar rounds on Ukrainian positions from the seized village at night. Clashes with Ukrainian troops patrolling nearby were also reported.^[468] Earlier, the militias had carried out 30 attacks on Ukrainian positions around the Donbass. The rebels concentrated their firepower on Ukrainian positions around Donetsk city, using small arms, rocket propelled grenades and antitank rockets on Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky and Krasnohorivka. Maiorsk, Novhorodske and Zaitseve, in the area south of Artemivsk, were also the target of samll arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern front, Ukrainian troops in Shchastya received automatic fire.^[469]

The second Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma announced through his press secretary that the contact group in Minsk reached an agreement regarding a renewed ceasefire along the demarcation line to come into effect from 00:00 on 23 December.^[470]

23 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on more than 20 occasions during the last six hours of 22 December. During the first hours of 23 December pro-Russian forces had opened fire on two occasions.^{[471][472][473]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^{[474][475][476]}

The separatists ignored the new ceasefire agreement by firing on Ukrainian positions 35 times throughout the day. Ukrainian troops around Donetsk city were the targhet of small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades in Avdiivka, Pisky, Novoselivka and Novhorodske. Sniper activity was recorded in Troitske, in the northern front. Three "Grad" artillery rockets were fired by pro-Russian forces in the same area. There was harassing fire on Ukrainian outposts in Zaitseve, Maiorsk, Luhanske and Mironovske, in the region between Horlivka and Artemivsk.^[477] The Ukrainian military didn't confirm reports about the capture of the village of Vodyane by rebel troops from Kominternove.^[478] Occupation troops in Kominternove itself restricted the freedom of movement of local residents.^[479]

24 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours.^[480][481] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[482][483]

By evening, the separatist had broken the ceasefire on 15 occasions. Most of the incidents occurred in the area wast of Donetsk city and in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. The rebels harassed Ukrainian forces with automatic fire, snipers, heavy machine gun fire and a variety of grenade launchers.^[484]

25 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 35 occasions in the Donbass region on 24 December. Two engagements between the warring parties took place too, the first one in Maiorsk, west of Horlivka, where the rebels attempted to assault a Ukrainian outpost with the support of 82 mm mortar fire. The second incident took place in Marinka, west of Donetsk city. During the first hours of the morning, ceasefire violations occurred on seven occasions.^[485][486] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[487]

Despite early reports about the withdrawal of separatist miltias from Kominternove, Donetsk People's Republic troops apparently returned to the village after members of the OSCE mission inspected the place. Elsewhere, pro-Russian forces fired upon Ukrainian positions 40 times throughout the day. Ukrainian troops around Donetsk city received small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades in Pisky, Marinka and Opytne. The same kind of weapons were used to pound the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Luhanske, south of Artemivsk. Zaitseve was also the target of 82 mm mortar rounds, and antitank guided missiles were launched on Luhanske.^[488] In the region of Mariupol, Vodyane^[489] and Syrokyne were shelled with 82 mm mortars.^[488]

26 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 25 occasions starting from 18:00 pm the last evening. The ceasefire was violated by the militias on 61 occasions on 25 December.^[490][491] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[492]

The separatists had broke the ceasefire on 21 occasions by evening, mostly in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk and in the surroundings of Donetsk city. The militias fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Pisky, Opytne, Luhanske, Novhorodske, Maiorsk and Zaitseve. The latter village was also the target of 82 mm mortar rounds. Sniper activity was reported elsewhere.^[493] Meanwhile, separatist officials from the Republic of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on rebel positions at Sakhanka, in the Mariupol area, Zaitseve and Zhabichevo, near Horlivka, and in the surroundings of Donetsk city. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket propelled grenades, armoured fighting vehicles' cannons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.^[494]

27 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 66 occasions on 26 December and on seven occasions during the early hours of 27 December.^[495][496] Most incidents took place north and west of Horlivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles and tanks attacked Zaitseve, which was also shelled with antitank rockets, antiaircraft cannons and 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian positions at Novhorodske were pounded with small arms fire, armoured fighting vehicles' cannons and 82 mm mortars from the western outskirts of Horlivka. Ukrainian troops at Luhanske received small arms fire, while automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades were fired at Maiorsk. Troitske and Novoselivka were the target of SPG-9 grenades, armoured fighting vehicles' cannons, antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars. Around Donetsk city, the rebels fired small arms and rocket propelled grnades on Avdiivka, mortar rounds on Pisky and small arms, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Marinka. In the region around Mariupol, the militias opened fire with antiaircraft guns and mortars on Ukrainian positions at Hnutove and Talavkivka, west of Kominternove. The Ukrainian troops returned fire in the majority of the cases.^{[497][498][499]} Military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and three others wounded in action during the last 24 hours in the Donbass region. One female civilian was killed during the shelling of Zaitseve.^[500][501] A separatist leader, Eduard Basurin, said his forces did not sustain any casualties but that two civilians – a man and a woman – died as a result of the fighting.^[502] The same sources said that Trudovske, in the outskirts of Donetsk, was shelled from Marinka by Ukrainian forces.^[503]

By evening, pro-Russian forces had carried out another 22 attacks on Ukrainian outposts. The separatists used small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades to harass Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky -around Donetsk city- and Novhorodske, Luhanske and Maiorsk, in the area west of Horlivka. The troops in Opytne were also targeted by rebel snipers.^[504]

28 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 35 occasions on 27 December and on 13 occasions during the last six hours of the day. No ceasefire violations were registered after midnight.^[505][506] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours. One female civilian was killed by shelling near Zaitseve, Donetsk Oblast.^[507]

The Ukrainian military recorded 14 violations of the truce throughout the day. Separatist forces opened fire with light weapons on Ukrainian garrison in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, particularly around Novhorodske. Avdiivka, Pisky and Opytne, west of Donetsk city, were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[508]

29 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 33 occasions on 28 December. A clash of arms between warring parties took place near Zaitseve, Donetsk Oblast.^{[509][510][511]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[512]

According to the German foreign minister Steinmeier, "The truce is becoming more and more fragile. Even now there is no consensus over a special law for local elections in parts of Donbass controlled by the separatists," Steinmeier said, adding that people in the area had suffered many human rights violations and that the humanitarian situation was worsening.^[513]

30 December

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on 29 December. No ceasefire violations were registered during the first hours of 30 December.^[514][515] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[516]

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France spoke by phone on 30 December about efforts to carry out a peace accord between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists.^{[517][518][519]}

31 December

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 31 occasions on 30 December. No ceasefire violations were registered during the first hours of 31 December. The rebels attacked along the demarcation line with small arms, heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicles' cannons, both on regions belonging to Donetsk Oblast as well as on Ukrainian positions around the northern front, in Luhansk Oblast. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the separatist fired small arms, sniper rifles and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Marinka, while Pisky and Opytne were the target of harassing fire. South of Artemivsk, Zaitseve was shelled with 82 mm mortars, and small arms and heavy machine guns were fired at the Ukrainian stronghold of Novhorodske.^{[520][521][522]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last 24 hours.^[523]

References

External links

• INFORMATION ANALYSES CENTER of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, provides daily updates, maps, etc., on the current situation (in Ukrainian, Russian, and English)
• OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine

Ukrainian crisis General topics 2013–14 Euromaidan Timeline RSA occupations Anti-Maidan 2014 Ukrainian revolution 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine Timeline Russian military intervention Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation Timeline War in Donbass April–June 2014 July–September 2014 October–December 2014 January–March 2015 April–June 2015 July–September 2015 October–December 2015 January 2016–present Humanitarian situation International reactions Casualties International sanctions List of sanctioned individuals Media portrayal Reaction of Russian intelligentsia Historical background List of Ukrainian aircraft losses Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine Little green men Ribbon of Saint George Putin khuilo! Export blockade of Ukraine by Russia Do not buy Russian goods! 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