Timeline of the war in Donbass (January–March 2017)

This is a timeline of the War in Donbass, from 1 January 2017 to 31 March 2017. 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.

January

1 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian positions during the last day of 2016;^[2][3][4][5] including on 11 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 30 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^[6] 122 mm artillery was used to target Ukrainian positions near Vodiane; 120 mm and 82 mm mortars were employed against Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Chermalyk, Krasnohorivka and Starohnativka. Avdiivka, Mayorsk (48°23′48″N 37°58′32″E / 48.39667°N 37.97556°E / 48.39667; 37.97556^[7]), Yuzhne and Kruta Balka were targeted from small arms and grenade launchers. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last day of 2016. The casualty was caused by shelling at Zaitseve.^[6][8] Deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 357 occasions on their positions on the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to engage pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Kruta Balka, Vasiliivka, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske and Trudovske, in the Petrovsky district of Donetsk city.^[9] According to officials from the Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on five occasions within the republic boundaries over the past 24 hours. Kalinivka came under small arms fire from Luhansk twice, while pro-Russian forces around Knyaz Igor memorial became the target of small arms and under-barrel grenade launchers. No casualties were reported.^[10]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Vodiane and Shyrokyne, while small arms and rocket launchers were fired at Novotroitske, Lebedynske and Pavlopil. The rebels used the same kind of weapons against Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka, Troitske and Maryinka, in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and Luhanske and Zaitseve, in the area of Horlivka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, located in Ukraine's Luhansk Oblast, Stanytsia Luhanska was attacked with grenade launchers, and small arms fire was reported at Syze.^[11] Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[12]

2 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 38 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,^[13][14][15] including on 26 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 9 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^[16] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 1 January.^[16] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 542 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Nyzhnetoretske, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, Kominternove, Leninske and Sakhanka.^[17] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded six Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the republic borders. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Novozvanivka opened fire on pro-Russian forces at Kalynove, which was also shelled by automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Separatist positions at Knyaz Igor were engaged by small arms, automatic grenade launchers and armoured fighting vehicles from Stanytsia Luhanska, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Lobacheve. Pro-Russian troops at Nikolaevka were harassed with small arms fire from Syze.^[18]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, which also became the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The rebels also fired 82 mm mortars at Vodiane. Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Lebedynske received small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, and sniper fire was reported at Hnutove. Antitank guided missiles landed in Talakivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, separatist forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at Novozvanivka and Lobacheve. Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, and Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, were the target of the same kind of weapons.^[19]

3 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 32 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^[20][21] Two Ukrainian servicemen were reported dead and two others injured due to improper handling of weaponry at Marinka.^[22][23] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 2 January.^[24] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 282 occasions on pro-Russian positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Zheleznaya Balka, Mikhaylivka, Vasiliivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Mineralne, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske and Trudovske.^[25] According to local sources, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on three occasions inside the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian troops from Luhanske shelled Kalinivka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.^[26]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Ukrainian redoubts at Marinka were engaged with rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles, while Luhanske came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka became the target of small arms and greande launchers. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, Pavlopil and Vodiane. Sniper fire was reported at Talakivka and Shyrokyne. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded,^[27] another Ukrainian serviceman died of wounds in a hospital.^[28]

4 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,^{[29][30][31][32]} including on 18 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 14 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 7 occasions in Luhansk region.^[33] Two Ukrainian servicemen were reported wounded.^[30] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 3 January.^[33] Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 1,233 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Novoselivka, Yasinuvata, Shyroka Balka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske.^[34] There were three Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local authorities, when Kalynove came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire from Luhanske.^[35]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, which also became the target of mortar fire along with the village of Vodiane. Rebel troops fired small arms and rocket launchers at Pavlopil, Hnutove and Talakivka. In the northern front, pro-Russian forces shelled Novozvanivka with 120 mm mortars and Stanytsia Luhnaska with grenade launchers. In the area of Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Zaitseve, while small arms and rocket launchers were fired at Luhanske. Around Donetsk city, the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Troitske and Kruta Balka became the targets of small arms and grenade launchers.^[36] One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[37]

5 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,^[38][39][40] including on 15 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 21 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region.^[41] One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[38] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO confirmed at noon that one Ukrainian servicemen was wounded in the Donbass region on 4 January. The casualty occurred in the area of Svitlodarsk salient.^[41] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 427 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zaytseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Oleksandrivka, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Kruta Balka, Sakhanka, Leninske and Kominternove.^[42] According to local sources, there were seven Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian troops from Luhanske opened fire five times on Kalinivka with automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Rebel troops at Nyzhne Lozove were harassed with small arms from Mironovskiy, while 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Novozvanivka landed in Kalynove.^[43]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. Novozvanivka, in the northern sector of the demarcation line, came under 120 mm mortar fire. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at Pavlopil, Vodiane and Novotroitske. Sniper fire was reported at Talakivka and Novotroitske. In the area of Donetsk city and Horlivka, Avdiivka, Marinka, Troitske and Luhanske came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[44]

6 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 32 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[45][46][47][48]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 5 January.^[49][50] The casualty occurred near the village of Novozvanivka.^[49][50] Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city reported 3,365 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the last week, 804 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery.^[51] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 35 Ukrainian attacks on their troops on the same period,^[52] and five violations of the ceasefire within the republic boundaries on the past 24 hours, when Ukrainian forces engaged pro-Russian positions at Lohvynove and Kalinivka using small arms, armoured fighting vehicles and 120 mm mortars.^[53]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions on Orthodox Christmas Eve. In the region of Mariupol, Pavlopil came under mortar fire. Rebel forces attacked Talakivka, Hnutove, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Pavlopil with small arms and grenade launchers. Hostile snipers were reported at Talakivka and Shyrokyne. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Novozvanivka, Novotoshkivka and Stanytsia Luhanska. West of Donetsk city, Avdiivka came under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, while small arms and rocket launchers were fired at Marinka. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were fired at with small arms and grenade launchers.^[54] The official news agency of Donetsk People's Republic said that Ukrainian tanks shelled Leninske and Kominternove late on Christmas Eve.^[55][56]

7 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded at Novotoshkivske.^[57][58][59] At around 0:30 am, on 7 January, Orthodox Christmas Day, an armed confrontation between a group of pro-Russian scouts and Ukrainian soldiers took place at Avdiivka, where the intruders were beaten off in some 30 minutes.^[60] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO confirmed at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 6 January.^[61] Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 253 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military pounded pro-Russian positions at Sakhanka, Kulikove, Leninske, Kominternove, Dzerzhinsky, Oktyabr, Shyroka Balka, Zaitseve, Zabicheve, Oleksandrivka and Spartak.^[62] Other sources claimed that Ukrainian 122 mm and 152 mm artillery volleys landed in Oktyabr and Sakhanka in the first hours of 7 January.^[63] Meanwhile, in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the village of Smile was shelled by 82 mm mortars firing from Krymske.^[63]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Troitske, while Ukrainian redoubts at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka were struck by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by 82 mm mortars, opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Troitske. Nearby Pisky and Avdiivka became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. The same kind of weapons were used against Ukrainian troops at Luhanske, in the area of Horlivka. Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Another pro-Russian incursion was repelled at Avdiivka.^[64]

8 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian positions on Orthodox Christmas Day. Six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^{[65][66][67][68]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 7 January. Three of the casualties occurred at Troitske due to shelling and three others at Krymske.^[69][70][71] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 491 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army attacked rebel positions at Yasinuvata, Mineralne, Kruta Balka, Zheleznaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Oleksandrivka, Zabicheve, Spartak, Donetsk airport and Trudovske.^[72] According to local authorities, Ukrainian forces broke the truce inside the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic when mortar volleys fired from Novozvanivka landed in Kalynove.^[73]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 28 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Talakivka, in the region of Mariupol. In the same area, 122 mm artillery barrages landed in Shyrokyne, which also became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. Mortar volleys hit Hnutove, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Troitske. Shyrokyne also came under fire from armoured fighting vehicles, while small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire was reported at Pavlopil and Hnutove. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian forces at Troitske were the target of 82 mm mortar and sniper fire. The rebels fired heavy machine guns at Novozvanivka. Around Donetsk city, the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka came under small arms fire and was shelled with rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars. Nearby Marinka was fired at from armoured fighting vehicles. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve were harassed with small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, while armoured fighting vehicles attacked Luhanske. Three soldiers were reported wounded.^[74]

Later in the evening, the ATO HQ reported that three Ukrainian servicemen became missing along the demarcation line.^[75] The servicemen were marines operating in the region of Mariupol.^[76] On 12 January the ATO spokesman said, that it is impossible to confirm or deny death of three Ukrainian marines who went missing on 8 January without prior identification and forensic examinations.^[77] The Ukrainian Naval Forces revealed the names of three marines killed on 13 January.^[78][79]

The dead body of a female civilian with shrapnel wounds to the leg was found near the battle zone in the Donetsk region; presumably she was killed by shelling on 5 January.^[80]

9 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,^[81] including on 11 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 30 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region.^[82] Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[83][84] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 8 January.^[82][85] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 521 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The Ukrainian military attacked Zheleznaya Balka, Zaitseve, Dzerzhinsky, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Luhanske, Kominternove, Leninske and Sahanka.^[86] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire two times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske, supported by 120 mm mortars, engaged pro-Russian positions at Lohvynove. Kalinivka was attacked with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars firing from Luhanske.^[87]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, which also came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Vodiane became the target of 82 mm mortars, while Chermalyk and Pavlopil were fired at from small arms and rocket launchers. Around Donetsk city, rebel forces fired small arms and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Opytne and Marinka; 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys also landed in Avdiivka. In the area of Horlivka, Zaitseve and Luhanske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Heavy shelling was reported in the northern sector of the demarcation line, where "Grad" multiple launched rockets landed around Troitske and antitank guided missiles and rockets in Novozvanivka. Ukrainian troops at Troitske also were the target of hostile snipers. Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded.^[88]

10 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 46 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,^[89][90][91] including on 15 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region.^[92] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 9 January.^[92][93] Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 253 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and artillery. The Ukrainian military pounded pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Vesele, Sakhanka, Oleksandrivka and Trudovske.^[94] The same sources reported that Ukrainian infantry, supported by two tanks and mortar fire, attempted to storm pro-Russian redoubts at Spartak, east of Donetsk airport. The attackers were driven back with casualties.^[95] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded three Ukrainian violations inside the republic borders. Kalinivka was shelled by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske.^[96]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 26 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, mortar volleys landed in Talakivka, which also came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Several types of grenade launchers systems were used to shell Vodiane and Shyrokyne, and small arms fire was reported at Pavlopil and Novotroitske, where Ukrainian troops were also harassed by sniper fire. Around Donetsk city, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages struck the strongholds of Avdiivka, Shyroka Balka and Opytne. Ukrainian forces at Opytne were also engaged by armoured fighting vehicles, while Marinka was fired at by grenade launchers. Rebel troops in the area of Horlivka shelled Zaitseve with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and in the northern section of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka became the target of mortar fire and antitank guided missiles. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, two others were wounded.^[97][98]

11 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 12 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 30 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 7 occasions in Luhansk region^[99]). One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, two others were wounded, one soldier was injured.^[100][101] A group of pro-Russian scouts was beaten off at the village of Taramchuk.^[99][102] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others were wounded in the Donbass region on 10 January.^[99] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 911 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and artillery. The Ukrainian military engaged pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Nyzhne Toretske, Mikhaylivka, Dolomitne, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[103] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire once within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, when according to local sources, Nyzhne Lozove came under mortar fire.^[104]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops fired small arms and rocket launchers at Pavlopil, Hnutove, Novohryhorivka, Shyrokyne and Talakivka. Pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers, supported by small arms and grenade launchers, opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Marinka, southwest of Donetsk city. In the same area, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Troitske, and the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka became the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Sniper activity was reported at Opytne. In the surroundings of Horlivka, Ukrainian outposts were fired at from small arms and rocket launchers. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel artillery pounded Troitske with 122 mm shells. This settlement, along with Novozvanivka, was also shelled from rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian redoubts at Krymske were engaged by armoured personnel carriers. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[105][106]

12 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 62 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 19 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region^[107]). One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, four others were wounded, one was injured.^{[108][109][110]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and five others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 11 January.^[107][111] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,340 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, and heavy artillery. The Ukrainian army pounded rebel positions at Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Batmanivka, Mikhaylivka, Ozeryanivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Vesele, Vasiliivka, Oktyabr, Leninske, Staromyhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[112] In the self-styled Luhnask People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on eight occasions, according to local auhtorities. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Troitske engaged pro-Russian troops at the village of Kalynove, which also became the target of automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns. Pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial were attacked from Stanytsia Luhanska with small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, and armoured fighting vehicles, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Kalinivka. The village was also engaged by armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske. Armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske, supported by 82 mm mortar fire, shelled pro-Russian redoubts at Frunze.^[113]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 38 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Talakivka. Pavlopil, Hnutove and Shyrokyne came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel troops fired small arms, rocket launchers and mortars at Kamyanka, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Troitske, Luhanske and Zaitseve. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Krymske and Ukrainian outposts at Zolote were fired at from small arms and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka came under small arms fire. Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[114] A 64-year-old woman was wounded by shelling in Marinka.^[115]

13 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 78 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 16 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 36 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 26 occasions in Luhansk region^[116]). Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^{[117][118][119]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 12 January.^[116] The casualties occurred in the area around Popasna.^[116] Separatist authorities in Donetsk city reported 4,988 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the past week, 1,500 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery.^[51] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske. One serviceman was wounded. Also from Luhanske, Ukrainian troops shelled Lohvynove with 120 mm mortars. Kalynove came under combined mortar fire from Novozvanivka and Popasna. Several civilian residences and vehicles were damaged. Smile was shelled by 82 mm mortars firing from Krymske.^[120]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Vodiane and Shyrokyne came under mortar fire. Rebel forces also fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Ukrainian outposts in Pavlopil, Hnutove, Novotroitske, and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops at Hnutove were also harassed by sniper fire. The strongholds of Avdiivka and Severne, west of Donetsk city, and Zaitseve and Luhanske, north of Horlivka, became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. Sniper activity was reported at Krymske, in the northern section of the demarcation line. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded.^[121][122]

14 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 62 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 22 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[123]). One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^{[123][124][125][126][127]} Two skirmishes between pro-Russian scouts and Ukrainian forces took place in the region of Mariupol at around 8:00 pm on 13 January.^{[123][128][129]} Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 964 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and artillery. The Ukrainian military engaged rebel forces at Yasinuvata, Zheleznaya Balka, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Petrovske, Horlivka, Holmivskyi, Gagarin mining complex and Shyroka Balka.^[130] Two pro-Russian soldiers were wounded.^[131] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire seven times within the republic boundaries. Kalynove was shelled twice by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 120 mm mortars firing from Troitske, while Raevka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire from Stary Aidar. Ukrainian forces from Krymske opened fire on Frunze with automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns. Kalinivka became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars, while Irmine was shelled by self-propelled 122 mm artillery firing from Popasna.^[132] One civilian resident was killed in Irmine.^[133][134]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 28 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Staromyhailivka. Pavlopil, Shyrokyne, Hnutove, Talakivka and Starohnativka became the target of small arms and rocket launchers, while Vodiane and Shyrokyne came under mortar fire. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, fired mortars at Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka, Mironovske and Zaitseve. Small arms and grenade launchers were used against the strongholds of Avdiivka, Novhorodske and Zaitseve. Ukrainian redoubts at Troitske were shelled by armoured fighting vehicles. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel troops fired antitank guided missiles at Novooleksandrivka and Krymske, while Novozvanivka became the target of mortar fire. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded.^[135]

15 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 60 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 18 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 30 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region^[136]). One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others were wounded.^{[136][137][138][139][140][141]} During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 796 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Dolomitne, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Verkhnyotoretske, Dzerzhinsky, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Trudovske, Olenivka, Luhanske and Petrovsky district.^[142] Ukrainian tanks and 122 mm artillery opened fire on a Pro-Russian checkpoint near Maiorsk,^[143] while a gas pipeline was hit in Vuhlehirsk, where 52 houses were left without gas supply.^[144] Separatist authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded nine Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic's territory. Kalinivka became the target of automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske. The villages of Lozove and Nyzhne Lozove were also fired at from Luhanske with 120 mm mortars and 152 mm artillery. Kalynove was shelled from Novozvanivka and Troitske by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske engaged pro-Russian positions at Smile, which was also shelled by Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars.^[145]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Shyrokyne. Rebel forces also opened fire on Ukrainian outposts in Pavlopil, Hnutove and Shyrokyne with small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Dolomitne was shelled with 120 mm mortars, while small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers were fired at Avdiivka, Marinka, Verkhnyotoretske and Zaitseve. Sniper fire was reported at Marinka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Troitske came under 120 mm mortar fire and Novozvanivka was hit by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Antitank guided missiles landed in Zolote.^[146]

16 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 60 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 14 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region^[147]).^{[148][149] [150]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 15 January.^[147] The casualty occurred in Marinka.^[151] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 911 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked pro-Russian positions at Trudovske, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Mikhailivka, Holmivskyi, Shyroka Balka, Zheleznaya Balka, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Yasinuvata, Oktyabr, Kominternove and Sahanka.^[152] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded three Ukrainian violations inside the republic borders. Ukrainian forces engaged pro-Russian troops at Sokolniki, Lohvynove and Knyaz Igor memorial using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.^[153]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 17 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Novozvanivka. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, the separatists attacked Ukrainian forces at Krasnohorivka and Mironovske with small arms and grenade launchers. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[154]

17 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 41 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 6 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 31 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region^[155]).^{[156][157][158]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 16 January.^[155] The casualties were caused by explosive devices in the district of Popasna.^[155] Separatist sources in Donetsk city recorded 427 Ukrainian attacks on their troops. The Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to engage pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Oleksandrivka, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Shyroka Balka, Sakhanka, Leninske and Kominternove.^[159] In the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported three Ukrainian violations of the truce. Ukrainian troops attacked Lopaskine with small arms, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars. Lozove was fired at from Svitlodarsk with small arms and 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, while 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Luhanske landed in Kalinivka.^[160]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 31 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Berezove, in the region of Mariupol. Nearby Shyrokyne became the target of small arms, snipers, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Lebedynske, Hnutove and Vodiane also received small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rebel forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at the strongholds of Avdiivka and Opytne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Troitske.^[161][162]

18 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 9 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 33 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 19 occasions in Luhansk region^[163]).^{[164][165][166]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 17 January.^[163] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 682 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve Ozeryanivka, Dolomitne, Holmivskyi, Trudovske, Donetsk airport, Olenivka, Luhanske, Spartak, Sakhanka, Kominernove, Leninske, Oktyabr, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk and Yasne.^[167] In the self-proclaimed Luhnask People's Republic, local authorities said that Ukrainian forces from Stanytsia Luhnaska engaged rebel troops at Knyaz Igor memorial with small arms and automatic grenade launchers.^[168]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 30 occasions. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka and Troitske came under 120 mm mortar fire. Novozvanivka was the target of small arms, grenade launchers, antitank guided missiles and 82 mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Stanytsia Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at Talakivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops were also attacked with small arms and grenade launchers at Slavne, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane, Novotroitske and Shyrokyne. In the area of Donetsk city, separatist forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at Avdiivka and Zaitseve. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^{[169][170][171]}

19 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 37 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 7 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region^[172]).^{[171][173][174]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 18 January.^[172][175] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 71 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Horlivka, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[176] No Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire were reported by separatist authorities in the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic.^[177]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Hnutove became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. The same kind of weapons were used against the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, and Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. In the northern front, Krymske was repeatedly struck by 120 mm mortar rounds.^[178]

20 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 19 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 11 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region^[179]).^{[180][181][182]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 19 January.^[179] Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city reported 4,348 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the last week, 1,031 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed and another three wounded over the same period.^[183] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic reported that Ukrainian forces from Luhanske fired 82 mm mortar volleys upon pro-Russian forces in Kalinivka.^[184]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 10 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Taramchuk, while Pavlopil, Talakivka and Hnutove became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. The rebels used the same kind of weapons to harass Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and Novoselivka, in the area of Donetsk city, and Syze and Stanytsia Luhanska, in the northern front. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed.^[185][186] One female civilian was injured in the morning at Olenivka, about 20 km south-west from Donetsk.^[187][188]

21 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 25 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 3 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 17 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region^[188]).^{[189][190][191]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO confirmed at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action on 20 January.^[188] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 579 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military pounded Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Zhabicheve, Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Nikolaevka, Sakhanka, Leninske and Kominternovo.^[192] No Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire were reported by sources of the Luhansk People's Republic during their daily briefing.^[193]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Vodiane was shelled with 82 mm mortars, while Lebedynske, Novohryhorivka, Talakivka Shyrokyne and Vodiane itself came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Around Horlivka, rebel troops fired small arms nad grenade launchers at Zaitseve and Novhorodske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Troitske was the target of mortar volleys, and Ukrainian forces in Novoleksandrivka and Novozvanivka were fired at from small arms and rocket launchers.^[194]

22 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 33 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 21 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 7 occasions in Luhansk region^[195]).^{[196][197][198]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 21 January.^[195] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 911 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targts were Zheleznaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Donetsk airport, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Vesele, Mikhaylivka, Signalne, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove and Oktyabr.^[199]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 24 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Lebedynske, Chermalyk, Shyrokyne and Vodiane. Sniper fire was reported at Novotroitske. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Marinka, Krasnohorivka and Pisky. The latter also came under 120 mm mortar fire. The separatists fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades at Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka. The same kind of weapons were fired at the strongholds of Zaitseve and Novhorodske, in the area of Horlivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka, which also received small arms fire. Four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[200] Pro-Russian officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that heavy machine guns and rocket launchers were fired at Lopaskine, damaging civilian residences there.^[201][202]

23 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 41 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 8 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region^[203]).^{[204][205][206]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 22 January.^[203] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 991 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Leninske, Bezimenne, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[207] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on four occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local officials. Pro-Russian forces at Prishib was fired at from Trokhizbenka with Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, while the village of Dolge, near Lopaskine, became the target of small arms and antitank guided missiles. Ukrainian forces from Luhanske shelled Kalinivka with automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 82 mm mortars.^[208]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops fired small arms and grenade launchers at Pavlopil, Novotroitske, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Lebedynske. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, 82 mm mortar volleys landed around Troitske, while Ukrainian troops at Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Krymske became the target of heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Small arms fire was reported at Avdiivka, and hostile snipers were active in Pisky. In the area of Horlivka, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Luhanske. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[209]

24 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 6 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 26 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 19 occasions in Luhansk region^[210]).^{[211][212][213]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 23 January.^[210] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,278 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Mykhailivka, Verkhnyotoretske, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Vasiliivka, Oleksandrivka, Signalne, Staromykhailivka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[214] According to local officials, Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on seven occasions inside the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Lohvynove, Kalinivka and Sanzharivka were hit by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske. Vesele Hora came under 82 mm mortar fire from Troitske, while Kalynove was shelled with automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 120 mm mortars fired from Popasna, Troitske and Kalinivka.^[215]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 24 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arsm and grenade launchers at Vodiane, Shyrokyne, Lebedynske, Novotroitske, Hnutove, and Novohryhorivka. Ukrainian troops were harassed several times by sniper fire. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka, while Krasnohorivka, Zaitseve and Luhanske became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka and Troitske became the target of 120 mm mortar and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Troitske also came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[216]

25 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 55 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 8 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 36 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region^[217]).^{[218][219][220]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 24 January.^[217] The casualty occurred in Krasnohorivka.^[217] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 424 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Signalne, Dokuchaievsk, Starolaspa, Sakhanka, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[221] Luhansk People's Republic military spokesman, Major Andriy Marochko, reported three Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic borders. Kalynove and Kalinivka were the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske, Popasna and Novooleksandrivka.^[222][223]

The press-center of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 5:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. Five "Grad-P" single-tube launched artillery rockets hit the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, which was also targeted by 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. In other ares surrounding Donetsk city, Avdiivka and Troitske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers were also fired at Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops at Marinka became the target of snipers. North of Horlivka, rebel forces attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Luhanske and Zaitseve with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. The same kind of weapons were used by the separatists to harass Ukrainian forces at Orekhove and Novozvanivka. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, supported by small arms and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske received sniper fire, while Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane and Novotroitske itself came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[224][225]

Ukrainian war veterans began the blockade of the Popasna-Lysychansk-Luhansk railway abreast of Zolote, where they mounted a roadblock, in an attempt to stop the flow of goods between the rebel republics in the Donbass region and the rest of Ukraine.^[226]

26 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 7 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region^[227]).^{[225][228][229]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 25 January.^[227] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 875 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and 122 mm self-propelled artillery to attack pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Mykhailivka, Vesele, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka, Signalne, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[230] Military sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces from Lopaskine launched antitank guided missiles at a civilian vehicle near Dolge, killing one civilian and severely wounding another three.^[231][232]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 31 occasions. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, 20 BM-21 "Grad" artillery rockets landed in Novozvanivka. The village was also hit by rocket propelled grenades. Popasna came under 82 mm mortar fire. Around Donetsk city, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars were fired at Avdiivka, while Krasnohorivka was fired at by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol. The stronghold also became the target of small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Mortar volleys of the same calibers landed in the nearby settlements of Talakivka, Vodiane, and Lebedynske. Rebel troops fired small arms and grenade launchers at Pavlopil, and Novohryhorivka, and sniper fire was reported at Novotroitske. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed.^[233][234]

27 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 63 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 8 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 23 occasions in Luhansk region^[235]).^{[236][237][238]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Donbass region on 26 January.^[235] The fatalities were caused by shelling of Novotoshkivske and Shyrokyne.^[235] Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city reported 5,956 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the last week, 1,976 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery.^[239] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 20 Ukrainian attacks on their troops on the same period, The incidents involved the use of small arms, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Drones were also employed in the role of artillery spotters.^[240]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 36 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Lebedynske, in the region of Mariupol. The rebels also fired small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery upon the Ukrainian stronghold. Shyrokyne came under small arms, rocket propelled grenade, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while Pavlopil, Vodiane, Talakivka, Hnutove, Novotroitske and Berezove became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. Sniper fire was reported at Hnutove and Novotroitske. Around Donetsk city, mortar barrages landed in Avdiivka and Troitske. In the area of Horlivka, rebel troops fired heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Zaitseve and Luhanske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades, mortar rounds and antitank guided missiles struck Novozvanivka, while rocket propelled grenades and mortar volleys landed around Troitske, Novooleksandrivka and Krymske.^[241] Krymske was also shelled by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles.^[242] Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[241]

At least six civilian deaths on both sides of the demarcation line in the past two weeks were reported by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.^[243][244]

28 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 60 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 11 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 34 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[245]).^{[242][246][247]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 27 January.^[245] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 424 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Shyroka Balka, Kruta Balka, Spartak Vasiliivka, Yakovlivka, Vesele, Dokuchaievsk, Yasne, Leninske, Dzerzhinsky, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Bezimenne, Trudovske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded three Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic boundaries. Prishib was fired at from Trokhizbenka with 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske attacked pro-Russian positions at Frunze, while rocket propelled grenades fired from Stanytsia Luhanska landed around pro-Russian forces at Knyaz Igor memorial.^[248]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka and Troitske were shelled with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Avdiivka and Troitske also became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Novotroitske, while Shyrokyne, Talakivka, Marinka, Vodiane and Novotroitske itself were fired at from small arms and grenade launchers. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne, and sniper activity was reported at Novotroitske. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Troitske, in the northern sector of the demarcation line. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded.^[249]

29 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 55 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 11 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region^[250]).^{[251][252][253]} The press center of the ATO HQ reported later in the morning that Ukrainian forces had suffered losses during the attacks of pro-Russian forces on Ukrainian positions in the area of the industrial zone of Avdiivka in the night of 28 January.^[254] At least one Ukrainian soldier was killed, two others died of wounds, and one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the morning of 29 January.^[250] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 28 January.^[250] The casualties were caused by shelling in Kamianka and Shyrokyne.^[250] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,049 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Vasiliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Oktyabr, Leninske, Dzerzhinsky, Nova Tavrya, Kominternove, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, Donetsk airport and Signalne.^[255] According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire four times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military used small arms, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, BMP-1 and BMP-2 armoured vehicles, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars to engage pro-Russian positions at Novohryhorivka, Frunze, Kalinivka and Kalynove.^[256]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arms and grenade launchers at Hnutove, Pavlopil, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Talakivka, Shyrokyne was also attacked by armoured fighting vehicles. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian forces broke through the Ukrainian lines in Avdiivka twice, but their assaults were beaten off. Mortar volleys landed in Kamyanka, Opytne and Avdiivka, while pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts in Pisky.^[257] Hostile tanks also attacked Novhorodske, west of Horlivka. In the same area, Luhanske and Zaitseve came under mortar fire.^[258] Four Ukrainian servicemen were killed and five others were wounded.^[259][257]

30 January

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region^[260]); five Ukrainian servicemen were killed, nine wounded, and four injured.^{[261][258][262]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen killed in action and fourteen wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 29 January.^[260][263] Two civilians were injured by shelling in Avdiivka.^[260] One pro-Russian militant was captured by Ukrainian forces.^[260][264] Several attacks of pro-Russian forces on Ukrainian positions, that started in the area of Avdiivka at around 5:00 am, were beaten off by the Ukrainian military. The fighting between the warring parties continued on 30 January.^{[260][265][266]} Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and five others wounded on the morning of 30 January.^[267][266] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,912 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Vasiliivka, Mykhailivka, Ozeryanivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Yakovliivka, Mineralne, Zhabicheve, Staromykhailivka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[268] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic denounced five Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the republic boundaries. Kalynove became the target of small arms, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars firing from Popasna and Troitske.^[269]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 37 occasions. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks engaged the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka and Pisky. Krasnohorivka was shelled with 82 mm mortars, while Nevelske, Opytne and Avdiivka became the target of small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The same kind of weapons were used by the rebels to attack Luhanske, north of Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, 152 mm artillery barrages landed in Vodiane, and 82 mm mortar volleys struck Lebedynske. Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Talakivka, Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Vodiane were engaged with small arms and grenade launchers. Three Ukrainian servicemen were killed, seventeen wounded, and three injured.^[270][271] A female civilian was killed by shelling in Makiivka.^[272]

31 January

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 71 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 40 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region^[273]).^{[274][275][276]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and twenty-four wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 30 January.^[273][277] Two of the fatalities occurred in Avdiivka, one in Opytne.^[273] Motuzyanyk also specified, that on 29 January not five but four Ukrainian soldiers were killed.^[273] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 2,411 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery, 152 mm self-propelled artillery and BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers to pound pro-Russian positions at Shyroka Balka, Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Mykhailivka, Vasiliivka, Krasny Partizan, Yasinuvata, Makiivka, Spartak, Yakovliivka, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka, Signalne, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Bela Kamyanka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Dzerzhinsky, Trudovske and Donetsk airport. Four pro-Russian soldiers were killed and seven wounded in action.^[278] Officials from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the truce on ten occasions within the republic borders. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanytsia Luhanska opened fire on pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial, while 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Popasna landed in Pervomaisk. Pro-Russian forces at Kalynove were attacked from Novozvanivka and Troitske with 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. Kalinivka meanwhile was shelled by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 mm howitzers. Lohvynove came under 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Luhanske, and 82 mm mortar barrages fired from Krymske struck Pakhaleva.^[279]

Fierce fighting continued on this date in and around the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, where a call for a local ceasefire was largerly ignored by the warring parties.^[280][281] ATO spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk expressed his "worries" about the right flank of the Ukrainian defences around Avdiivka, which was stormed by pro-Russian tanks. Motuzyanyk described the action as the largest tank offensive in the area since the fall of Donetsk airport in rebel hands in January 2015. The tanks, gathered at Spartak, charged through the demarcation line at Butivka mining complex and Pisky.^[282] The evacuation of civilian residents from Avdiivka was scheduled for 1 February due to the lack of essential services in the town after the relentless pro-Russian bombardment since 29 January.^[283] The local hospital was already evacuated in the afternoon.^[284] Almost one hundred BM-21 "Grad" artillery rockets landed in Avdiivka throughout the day.^[285] Paul Zhebrivskyi, head of the civilian administration of Donetsk Oblast, declared the state of emergency in the war-torn town.^[286]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 46 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks, supported by 152 mm artillery, engaged Ukrainian strongpoints along the southern sector of the demarcation line, in the region of Mariupol, where Vodiane and Berdiansk were shelled with 122 mm artillery. Novohryhorivka, Pavlopil, Talakivka, Novotroitske and Vodiane came under 120 mm mortar fire. Small arms fire was reported at Shyrokyne and Novohryhorivka, while Ukrainian troops at Chermayk came under sniper fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, besides Avdiivka, 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Verkhnyotoretske, Opytne and Krasnohorivka. Luhanske, in the area of Horlivka, was the target of small arms and grenade launchers. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Krymske, Troitske and Novozvanivka were shelled with 82 mm mortars. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded, two others were injured.^[285][287]

February

1 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 86 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 45 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 22 occasions in Luhansk region^[288]).^{[289][290][291]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed (in Tonenke) and eighteen wounded (including 15 in Avdiivka) in action in the Donbass region on 31 January.^[288] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 3,016 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery, 152 mm self-propelled artillery and B-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. The Ukrainian military targeted Donetsk city, Makiivka, Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Nikolaevka, Krasny Partizan, Mykhailivka, Ozeryanivka, Shyroka Balka, Dolomitne, Holmivskyi, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka. Vasiliivka, Yakovlivka, Novomariivka, Bela Kamyanka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Dzerzhinsky and Kominternove. Two civilian residents were killed and five wounded.^[292] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on eight occasions. Armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske engaged pro-Russian positions at Sokolniki, which also became the target of 120 mm mortar fire. Lohvynove and Kalinivka were shelled with 152 mm artillery firing from Luhanske and Mironovske, respectively. Smile received 82 mm mortar fire from Krymske, while 120 mm volleys fired from Novozvanivka landed in Kalynove. Pervomaisk was shelled with 82 mm mortars firing from Popasna.^[293]

Pro-Russian troops and tanks launched two attacks on Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka in the morning, supported by 122 mm and 152 mm artillery and B-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers.^[294][295] As of 2:00 pm two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and two others wounded.^[296] One female civilian was killed by shelling in the morning,^[297] three male civilians were injured.^[298] Seventy-seven persons, most of them children, were evacuated from Avdiivka during the morning.^[299]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 36 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Bohdanivka came under 122 mm artillery fire, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Chermalyk. Rebel forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Novohryhorivka, Shyrokyne, Novotroitske and Novomyhailivka. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, besides Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka was attacked with small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, tanks and 122 mm artillery. Nearby Marinka was hit by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Brubovke was shelled with 152 mm artillery, while mortar barrages struck Katerinivka and Popasna. Small arms fire was reported at Krymske.^[300] Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, six others were wounded.^{[295][301][302]}

2 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 67 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 17 occasions in Luhansk region^[303]).^{[304][305][306]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, fourteen wounded, and six injured in the Donbass region on 1 February.^[303][307] The fatalities occurred at Avdiivka in the course of repulsing one of the numerous assaults by pro-Russian forces.^[303] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,617 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Donetsk city, Makiivka, Krasny Partizan, Ozeryanivka, Dolomitne, Mykhailivka, Spartak, Yakovlivka, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Signalne, Dokuchaievsk, Petrovske, Novolaspa, Oktyabr, Bela Kamyanka, Sakhanka, Leninske and Kominternove.^[308] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported heavy shelling on Pervomaisk when Ukrainian forces from Popasna fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at the separatist stronghold.^[309]

By 2 February in the morning at least 145 civilians,^[310] and as of 5:00 pm 183 civilian residents, including 107 children, had been evacuated from Avdiivka.^[311]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 54 occasions. Incessant shelling continued on Avdiivka, where Ukrainian forces were repeatedly engaged by the rebels with small arms, rocket launchers, mortars, tanks and "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. Armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts in nearby Pisky, while Opytne and Marinka were shelled with 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm guns. Sniper fire was reported at Marinka. Meanwhile, mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, north of rebel-held Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, "Grad" single tube rocket launchers were fired at Shyrokyne, which also became the target of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery along with Vodiane and Chermalyk. Chermalyk was also hit by antitank guided missiles. Berezove and Vodiane were fired at from small arms, grenade launchers and antiaircraft artillery. In the northern front, the rebels fired mortars at Krymske and small arms and rocket launchers at Novozvanivka. Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, nine were wounded.^[312][313] Two civilians were killed by shelling and two injured in Avdiivka at around 7:30 pm.^{[314][315][316]} One female civilian was injured by shelling in Marinka.^[317]

Separatist sources claimed that a OTR-21 Tochka struck a rearguard area in the outskirts of Donetsk city, killing one civilian and wounding another two.^[318][319]

3 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 114 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 72 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[320]).^{[321][322][323]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eighteen wounded in action in the Donbass region on 2 February. One employee of the State Emergency Service was killed and another wounded, Motuzyanyk added.^[320][324] According to him, the fighting in all fronts was the most intense since 2014.^[325] Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city reported 14,348 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the last week, 8,103 of them involving mortars, tanks, artillery and multiple rocket launchers. There were 18 pro-Russian soldiers killed in action and another 26 wounded over the same period, while 6 civilians died and 34 were wounded by heavy shelling on residential areas.^[326] Officials from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 11 occasions within the republic borders. Pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka were shelled six times from Luhanske and Svitlodarsk with automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Kalynove was struck four times by 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Troitske, while 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Krymske landed in Slavyanoserbsk.^[327]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 66 occasions. In the disputed area surrounding Donetsk city, BM-21 "Grad" artillery rockets landed in Halytsynivka. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Pisky once again, while Avdiivka and Troitske were shelled with 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm artillery. Krasnohorivka and Marinka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian forces at Luhanske were engaged with mortars, tanks and artillery. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Shyrokyne, and Vodiane was fired at from armoured fighting vehicles. Chermalyk was struck by antitank guided missiles. "Grad" multiple rocket launchers, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery pounded Ukrainian redoubts at Talakivka, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Novotroitske, Lebedynske, Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Chermalyk, and rocket propelled grenades in Hnutove. Sniper fire was reported at Vodiane and Pavlopil. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces shelled Novozvanivka with 152 mm artillery, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars, Troitske and Popasna with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars and Krymske with rocket launchers. Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, five wounded.^[328] A British photographer was wounded by shelling in Avdiivka at around 4:00 am.^[329][330]

Ukraine awarded 94 servicemen of the Armed Forces and the National Guard—34 of them posthumously—for personal courage and selfless performance of military duty.^[331]

4 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 115 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 65 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 29 occasions in Luhansk region^[332]).^{[333][334][335]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight wounded in the Donbass region on 3 February.^[332] Two of the fatalities occurred near Halytsynivka, the third serviceman was killed at Troitske.^[332] As of 7:00 am, 4 February, 244 civilians, including 114 children, were evacuated from Avdiivka, Motuzyanyk added.^[332][336] Separatist sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,912 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery and BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. The main targets were Donetsk city, Makiivka, Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Mykhailivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novomariivka, Sakhanka, Tavrya, Kominternove, Leninske and Bezimenne. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded.^[337] According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire ten times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Kalinivka was sheled from Luhanske with 122 mm and 152 mm artillery, while Kalynove was fired at from Troitske and Novozvanivka with 120 mm mortars. Pro-Russian positions at Lozove were also hit by 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Luhanske. Veselehorivka became the target of 82 mm mortars firing from Troitske and the village of Kalynove-Borshchevate came under 120 mm mortar fire from Popasna.^[338]

The head of the Luhansk People's Republic militia, Colonel Oleg Anashchenko, was killed along with another person while riding on an official car in Luhansk city when the vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. Pro-Russian authorities accused "Ukrainian intelligence agents" for his death.^[339]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 35 occasions. One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Rebel troops attempted to storm Avdiivka supported by 120 mm mortars and 152 mm artillery. Pro-Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka and Kamyanka earlier in the morning. Avdiivka also came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Krasnohorivka became the target of the same kind of weapons.In the area of Horlivka, 152 mm artillery barrages hit Novoluhanske, while sniper fire was reported at Zaitseve. In the region of Mariupol, Chermalik was shelled by rebel tanks, while Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, Vodiane, Talakivka and Chermalik itself came under rocket propelled grenade, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, "Grad" multiple rocket launchers were fired at Novozvanivka, which was also fired at by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars along with the strongholds of Popasna and Bohulavske. Small arms fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Zhovte.^[340][341]

5 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 14 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 25 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region^[342]).^{[343][344][345]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 4 February. The casualties occurred in Avdiivka.^[342] Two skirmishes between the warring parties took place east and south-east of this town.^[342] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire 524 times on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to target Mykhailivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Yasne, Nikolaevka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove and Sosnovske.^[346] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire within the republic boundaries on two occasions. Pervomaisk and Kalynove came under 82 mm mortar fire from Popasna and Troitske respectively.^[347]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 40 occasions, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Rebel pressure continued unabated on the contested Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka. The industrial town was once again engaged by pro-Russian tanks supported by small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Hostile tanks also opened fire on other areas around Donetsk city, like Pisky and Kamyanka. Opytne, Krasnohorivka and Marinka came under small arms, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire. Sniper fire was reported at Nevelske. North of Horlivka, rebel forces fired small arms, grenade launchers 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars at Zaitseve and Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, mortar barrages landed in Vodiane, Hnutove and Shyrokyne. Lebedynske and Novotroitske were fired at by small arms and grenade launchers, while Sniper fire was reported at Pavlopil and Hnutove. Armoured fighting vehicles and tanks shelled Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Krymske, which also became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. Katerinivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, and Ukrainian troops at Zhovte were harassed by sniper fire.^[348][349]

6 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 94 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 26 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 53 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[350]).^{[349][351][352]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 5 February.^[350] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,229 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Yasinovataya, Shyroka Balka, Kruta Balka, Krasny Partizan, Zheleznaya Balka, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Makiivka, Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk city and several settlements in the region of Mariupol.^[353] Inside the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire two times, according to local officials. Ukrainian troops from Luhanske shelled Kalinivka with 82 mm mortars, while Lobacheve was the target of small arms and under-barrel grenade launchers.^[354]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 40 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Around Donetsk city, fighting continued in Avdiivka for the ninth consecutive day. Pro-Russian tanks opened fire on the Ukrainian redoubts in the town, which was also pounded by small arms, snipers, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 mm artillery. Shelling was also reported at Opytne and Marinka, while Ukrainian troops at Kamyanka were harassed by sniper fire. In the area of Horlivka, Zaitseve and Luhanske came under rebel fire. In the region of Mariupol, Lebedynske, Shyrokyne, and Novohryhorivka were shelled by grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery. Shyrokyne was also attacked by pro-Russian tanks and Novotroitske by heavy machine gun fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Zhovte and Krymske.^[355][356] A civilian was killed by shelling in Kurdiumivka.^[357]

7 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 78 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 32 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 22 occasions in Luhansk region^[358]).^{[359][360][361]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 6 February. The casualty occurred in Verkhnyotoretske.^[358][362] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 607 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Yasne, Tavrya, Spartak, Yakovlivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Petrovsky district, Kiev district and Donetsk airport. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed and another wounded.^[363] According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire four times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske opened fire on pro-Russian positions in the area between Smile and Frunze, supported by small arms and 82 mm mortar fire. The village of Donetskiy was shelled by Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns firing from Orekhove, while Ukrainian forces from Luhanske shelled Lohvynove with automatic grenade launchers.^[364]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 29 occasions, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts around Avdiivka, which were also attacked with small arms, rocket launchers and mortars. Elsewhere in the outskirts of Donetsk city, rebel troops fired small arms, grenade launchers and mortars at Nevelske, Kamyanka and Verkhnetoretske. The same weapons were used to pound Ukrainian troops at Luhanske, north of Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, Hnutove and Talakivka came under mortar and artillery fire. Mortar barrages also landed in Novotroitske, and armoured personnel carriers attacked Ukrainian forces at Pavlopil. Lebedynske, Pavlopil and Berezove came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian troops at Troitske took mortar fire from rebel positions, while small arms and heavy machine gun fire was reported at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka.^[365][366]

8 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 89 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 42 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 28 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 19 occasions in Luhansk region^[367]).^{[368][369][370]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 7 February.^[367] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 775 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked pro-Russian positions at Dolomitne, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Ozeryanivka, Yasinuvata, Yasne, Dokuchaievsk, Nova Mariivka, Novolaspa, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Spartak and Donetsk airport.^[371] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire five times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Ukrainian tanks from Prichepilivka engaged pro-Russian positions at Zholobok, which also became the target of small arms and 120 mm mortars firing from the same location. Frunze was shelled twice by 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske, while 120 mm mortar barrages fired from Kryakivka landed in Sokolniki. Ukrainian troops from Mironovske shelled Kalinivka with 120 mm mortars.^[372]

Colonel Mikhail Tolstykh, better known by his callsign Givi was killed early in the morning in Makiivka when his office was hit by an RPO-A Shmel incendiary rocket.^[373] Military spokesman Eduard Basurin blamed Zorian Shkiryak, an adviser of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for his death.^[374]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 25 occasions. For the third consecutive day, pro-Russian tanks attacked Avdiivka. The Ukrainian stronghold was also the target of small arms, rocket launchers and mortars. The same type of weapons were used to harass Ukrainian troops at Nevelske, Opytne, Troitske, in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and Zaitseve, in the area of Horlivka. In the northern front, Novotoshkivke was shelled with 152 mm artillery, while Novooleksandrivka and Katerinivka received small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Mariupol, mortar volleys landed in Shyrokyne, and Ukrainian forces in Hnutove and Lebedynske became the target of small arms and grenade launchers.^[375][376] One Ukrainian serviceman died of wounds in a hospital.^[377]

9 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 82 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 33 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 25 occasions in Luhansk region^[378]).^{[379][380][381]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 8 February.^[382][378] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 711 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Krasny Partizan, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[383] According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire seven times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic using small arms, under-barrel rocket propelled grenades, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Zholobok, Kalinivka, Molodezhne, Kalynove and Zhovte.^[384]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 39 occasions. Avdiivka was once again the epicenter of rebel activity. The Ukrainian stronghold was attacked with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Also in the outskirts of Donetsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms fire and grenade launchers, opened fire on Opytne. Ukrainian troops at Pisky received smal arms and rocket propelled grenade fire, while 120 mm mortar volleys struck Troitske and Verkhnetoretske. Small arms fire was reported at Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, Luhansk was shelled with 120 mm mortars and Zaitseve was fired at from small arms and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms fire, shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne. Pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers engaged Ukrainian troops at Vodiane., with the support of small arms fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces pounded Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka with small arms, rocket launchers, and mortars.^[385][386]

10 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 24 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 22 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[387]).^{[388][389][390]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 9 February.^[387] One civilian was injured by the explosion of a mine.^[387] Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that there were 5,675 Ukrainian over the past week, 2,527 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery.^[391] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 12 occasions within the republic boundaries. Ukrainian troops from Novozvanivka and Troitske fired small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns at pro-Russian positions near Kalynove. Lohvynove was shelled with automatic grenade launchers and rocket launchers firing from Luhanske. Kalinivka, Nyzhne Lozove, Krasny Yar, Zhovte and Lozove were fired at by small arms, under-barrel grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortas.^[392]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 34 occasions. Rebel forces launched a 28 BM-21 "Grad" rocket barrage at Krasnohorivka, southwest of Donetsk city. Pro-Russian tanks also engaged Ukrainian redoubts in the stronghold, supported by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, and opened fire three times on Butivka coal mine complex. In other areas of the surroundings of Donetsk, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka, and Nevelske came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Sniper fire was reported at Verkhnyotoretske and Avdiivka. In the outskirts of Horlivka, Novhorodske, Zaitseve and Luhanske became the target of the same kind of weapons. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel troops shelled Krymske with 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian outposts at Novozvanivka were raked with small arms fire.^{[393][394][395][396]}

11 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 63 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 24 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city and 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol^[396]).^{[397][398][399]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 10 February.^[396] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 438 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks,122 mm self-propelled artillery, 152 mm self-propelled artillery and BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers to attack pro-Russian positions at Yasinuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Ozeryanivka, Dolomitne, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Novovyboeve, Staromyhailivka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[400] Inside the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire eleven times, according to local sources. Kalynove was pounded on five occasions with small arms and automatic grenade launchers firing from Troitske and Novozvanivka. The same kind of weapons were used by Ukrainian troops at Krymske to attack Sokolniki, Frunze and Smile. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, Kruta Hora, Nyzhne Lozove, Lozove, Sanzharivka and Lohvynove with the support of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars.^[401]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 28 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces opened up with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Novotroitske, Hnutove, Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Vodiane. Mortar fire was reported at Pavlopil, while armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Pisky, Opytne and Troitske were also the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, while mortar volleys landed in Novoselivka.^[402] Ukrainian military sources from task force "Luhansk" reported that a group of scouts have got missing while on patrol in the northern section of the demarcation line.^[403]

12 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 59 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (on 23 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city and on 36 occasions in the region of Mariupol^[404]).^{[405][406][407]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 11 February.^[404] The casualties occurred in Vodiane and Shyrokyne, near Mariupol.^[404][408] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,302 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military pounded rebel positions at Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Vasiliivka, Mykhailivka, Holmivskyi, Nyzhnetoretske, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Zheleznaya Balka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed in action and another wounded.^[409] Inside the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire eleven times, according to local officials. The village of Kalynove came under small arms and 120 mm mortar fire from Troitske, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Sanzharivka. Armoured fighting vehicles engaged pro-Russian positions at Nyzhne Lozove, Slavyanoserbsk, Kalinivka and Lohvynove, supported by small arms and automatic grenade launchers.^[410]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 33 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, which was also hit by mortar fire. Novoselivka became the target of small arms, snipers and grenade launchers. Sniper fire was also reported at Kamyanka and Troitske, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Verkhnyotoretske and Krasnohorivka. North of Horlivka, Luhanske came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops shelled Pavlopil, and fired small arms and grenade launchers at Pavlopil, Novotroitske, Vodiane, Shyrokyne and Lebedynske. Hostile snipers were active at Novotroitske, and armoured fighting vehicles opened fire at Ukrainian forces in Novohryhorivka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed at Novooleksandrivka.^[411]

13 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 67 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 21 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 42 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region^[412]).^{[413][414][415]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 12 February.^[412] The casualty occurred in Avdiivka.^[412][416] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 509 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents occurred at Holmivskyi, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Ozeryanivka, Zheleznaya Balka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Vasiliivka, Oleksandrivka, Yasne, Dokuchaievsk, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was killed.^[417] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire eleven times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. The Ukrainian army fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at pro-Russian forces in Kalinivka, Sokolniki and Kalynove-Borshchevate.Small arms fire was reported at Kalynove, Veselehorivka and Lohvynove, in the latter case from Ukrainian positions at Luhanske.^[418]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 39 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk, rebel troops shelled Avdiivka and Troitske with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Nevelske became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. The same kind of weapons were used against the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve and Luhanske, in the area of Horlivka. Pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers and tanks, supported by 122 mm artillery fire engaged Ukrainian forces at Vodiane, in the region of Mariupol, where snipers and armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne.^[419][420]

14 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 27 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 40 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region^[421]).^{[420][422][423]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 13 February; the casualty occurred in Shyrokyne.^[421][424] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,024 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Vasiliivka, Ozeryanivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Nova Tavrya, Sosnovske, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action.^[425] According to local authorities, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 20 occasions inside the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian BMP-1 armoured vehicles engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, supported by small arms fire and automatic grenade launchers. Small arms fire was reported at Lohvynove and Kalynove, while the rebel stronghold of Sokolniki was attacked with antitank guided missiles, 120 mm mortars and BMP-1s. The Ukrainian military also opened fire on pro-Russian forces at Znamyanka, Sanzharivka, Prishib, Veselehorivka and Lozove.^[426][427]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 26 occasions. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka, Nevelske, Pisky and Troitske came under 120 mm mortar fire. Pisky was also the target of small arms fire,^[428] and Avdiivka was shelled by armoured fighting vehicles. The attacks on Avdiivka lasted 12 hours.^[429] In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops were harassed with small arms fire. In the region of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Vodiane. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Vodiane and Shyrokyne, which also became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Pavlopil was fired at by the same kind of weapons. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, heavy machine gun was reported at Novozvanivka.^{[428][430][431]}

15 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 18 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 31 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region^[432]).^{[433][434][435][436]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 14 February.^[432] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 550 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Dokuchaievsk, Staromykhailivka, Ozeryanivka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Yasinuvata, Zaichenko, Kominternove, Leninske and Sakhanka.^[437] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire eight times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local officials. Ukrainian troops shelled Pervomaisk with 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 120 mm mortars, and Frunze with automatic grenade launchers. Pro-Russian positions at Lohvynove became the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian forces from Troitske and Novozvanivka harassed separatist troops at Kalynove with small arms fire.^[438]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 24 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was injured. In the outskirts of Donetsk, 120 mm mortar barrages continued to fall on Avdiivka, while nearby Pisky and Zaitseve, in the area of Horlivka, were struck by rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms and mortar fire, engaged Ukrainian forces at Vodiane for the third consecutive day. Heavy machine gun and small arms fire was reported at Pavlopil, Hnutove and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian positions at Novotroitske came under sniper fire. Hostile snipers also harassed Ukrainian troops at Lobacheve, in the northern section of the demarcation line.^[439]

The OSCE mission reported a new agreement between the warring parties over the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the demarcation line to be completed by 20 February.^[438][440]

16 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 15 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 28 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region^[441]).^{[442][443][444][445]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in the Donbass region on 15 February.^[441] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,048 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery, 152 mm self-propelled artillery and multiple rocket launchers. The Ukrainian military pounded rebel positions at Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Mykhailivka, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Yakovliivka, Vasiliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Zaichenko, Gagarin mining complex, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed in action.^[446] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported nine Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic territory. Ukrainian troops shelled pro-Russian positions at Smile, Veselehorivka, Lohvynove and Kalinivka with grenade launchers, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and mortars. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Sokolniki supported by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops shelled Kalynove with automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars.^[447]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 35 occasions; three Ukrainian servicemen were killed, four wounded. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Avdiivka, Kamyanka, Marinka and Pisky became the target of small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, and mortar volleys of both calibers also landed in Verkhnyotoretske. In the area of Horlivka, rebel troops attacked Zaitseve with small arms, snipers, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.^{[448][449][450]} One civilian was killed and two others were wounded by shelling in Avdiivka.^[451] In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire at Shyrokyne, which also became the target of small arms, rocket launchers, and 120 mm mortars. Antitank guided missiles hit Bohdanivka, while small arms and grenade launchers were fired at Ukrainian forces at Novoselivka, Vodiane, Hnutove, Lebedynske and Pavlopil. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Krymske was struck by 120 mm mortar fire. Novololeksandrivka and Lobacheve were fired at by small arms and rocket launchers.^[452][453]

17 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 66 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 21 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region^[451]).^{[453][454][455]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and ten others were wounded in the Donbass region on 16 February.^[451] The fatalities occurred in Zaitseve, Pisky, and Lebedynske, six of the servicemen were wounded in Avdiivka.^[451] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 6,249 occasions on their positions over the past week, including mortar, tanks and artillery on 2,517 occasions. Eight pro-Russian soldiers were killed and two others wounded last week.^[456] According to local authorities, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Pro-Russian positions at Kalynove were shelled from Troitske with automatic grenade launchers, 120 mm mortars and antitank guided missiles. Molodezhne was hit by 82 mm mortar fire, while armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on pro-Russian forces at Smile, Lohvynove, Pervomaisk and Kalinivka supported by small arms and grenade launchers.^[457]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, three were wounded. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks attacked once again the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, supported by small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars. Rebel forces also fired small arms and grenade launchers at Novoselivka. Sniper fire was reported at Nevelske and Pisky. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops were fired at with small arms and grenade launchers at Zaitseve and Novoluhanske. In the region of Mariupol, the separatists used small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers to engage Ukrainian troops at Vodiane, Talakivka and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian forces at Hnutove received small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Krymske became the target of 120 mm mortars and antitank guided missiles. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Katerinivka and Novooleksandrivka.^[458] One Ukrainian volunteer was killed at Krymske,^[459] two civilians were injured by the heavy shelling in Avdiivka.^{[460][461][459]}

18 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 73 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region^[462]).^{[463][464][459][465]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 17 February.^[462] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,980 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Shyroka Balka, Ozeryanivka, Myhailivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Krasny Partizan, Yakovliivka, Zhabicheve, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Dokuchaievsk, Styla, Starobesheve, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske región and Donetsk airport.^[466] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on four occasions within the republic boundaries. Pro-Russian positions at Lohvynove were engaged by small arms and BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles from Mironovske, while Kalynove was shelled by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns from Novozvanivka. Kalinivka was fired at by automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars from Luhanske.^[467]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 49 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the area of Donetsk city, an engagement involving mortars, tanks and artillery between the warring parties was reported at Avdiivka, where Ukrainian forces were also fired at by small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. The same kind of weapons were used to attack the Ukrainian strongholds of Pisky, Troitske, Opytne and Nevelske. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Novoluhanske received sniper fire, while Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novoluhanske were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne, while mortar barrages landed in Pavlopil and Vodiane. Rebel forces fired small arms and grenade launchers at Hnutove, Talakivka, Shyrokyne, Pavlopil and Vodiane. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Novooleksandrivka and Krymske, which also became the target of antitank guided missiles. Rocket propelled grenades hit Ukrainian positions at Stanytsia Luhanska.^[468][469] Later in the night, a 36-rocket barrage from a BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers struck the surroundings of Vodiane. The strike lasted 30 minutes.^[470][471]

19 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 105 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 41 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 50 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region^[469]).^{[472][473][474]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that nine Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured, one serviceman went missing in the Donbass region on 18 February.^[469] Two major clashes between the warring parties took place around Avdiivka, Motuzyanyk added.^[469] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 2,453 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack pro-Russian positions at Mikhaylivka, Dolomitne, Ozeryanivka, Dokuchaievsk, Starolaspa, Novolaspa, Belaya Kamyanka, Novomariivka, Staromariivka, Telmanove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Bezimennne, Nova Tavrya, Yasinuvata, Krasny Partizan, Yakovliika, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Novonikolaevka, Novozhilivka, Olenovka, Luhanske, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrovka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[475] The same source claimed that a Ukrainian assault on Spartak from Pisky and Opytne was repulsed by pro-Russian forces. Three attackers were killed and ten wounded.^[476] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire ten times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Ukrainian BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles from Novozvanivka and Troitske opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Kalynove, supported by automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles also shelled Sokolniki and Almazne, which also became the target of automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 82 mm mortars. Rebel forces at Lohvynove were engaged three times with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 120 mm mortars and BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles.^[477]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 41 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded, the serviceman who was reported missing at noon, was confirmed killed by shelling. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne, while antitank guided missiles landed in Vodiane. Novotroitske and Lebedinske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while Pavlopil, Hnutove and Hranitne became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, Rebel forces fired small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka, Troitske, Opytne, Luhanske, Zaitseve and Novhorodske.^[478][479]

20 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 62 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 24 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 36 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 2 occasions in Luhansk region^[480]).^{[481][482][483][484]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in the Donbass region on 19 February. The casualties occurred in Avdiivka.^[480] One Ukrainian serviceman, who was wounded on 16 February, died in a hospital on 19 February, Motuzyanuk added.^[485] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,980 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Ozeryanivka, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Vesele, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Sosnovske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[486] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported nine Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic borders. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka. The rebel stronghold of Kalynove received small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked Lohvynove and Nyzhne Lozove, which also came under 120 mm mortar fire.^[487]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 40 occasions. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka became the target of small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortars. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Opytne, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Troitske. Rebel troops fired small arms and heavy machine guns at Ukraina troops at Kamyanka. In the area of Horlivka, the separatists fired small arms, heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortars at Luhanske and Zaitseve. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces fired antitank guided missiles at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka, which also came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Small arms and heavy machine gun fire was reported at Zhovte. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Starohnativka, Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Sniper activity was reported at Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske.^[488][489] Pro-Russian sources reported heavy fighting with Ukrainian forces from Novotroitske at Dokuchaievsk involving small arms, mortars and armoured vehicles.^[490]

Semen Semenchenko announced the intention of extending the rail traffic blockade in Eastern Ukraine to railways connecting Ukraine with Russia. He claimed that around 100 people was involved in the action at the time, and that "Since the start of the blockade 16,000 train cars have not reached their destination in both directions. We plan to halt all the trade with Russia, (and) the so-called DPR/LPR,"^[491]

21 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 74 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 32 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region^[492]).^{[493][494][495][496]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 20 February.^[492] Seven servicemen were injured when a truck they were riding in exploded on an unidendified explosive device at Lebedynske.^[492] An officer of the State Emergency Service died in a Dnipro hospital of wounds he had suffered in Avdiivka on 2 February.^[492][497] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,115 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles.. The Ukrainian military pounded rebel positions at Horlivka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata Spartak, Dokuchaievsk, Zhabicheve, Kruta Balka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[498] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 16 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Kalynove was shelled eight times by rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Lohvynove came under small arms and 120 mm mortar fire; Nyzhne Lozove, Lozove and Kalinivka were also attacked by the Ukrainian army. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded in action.^[499]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 35 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, which was also fired at by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Mortar volleys landed also in Opytne, and rebel forces attacked Ukrainian troops at Kamyanka with small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the area of Horlivka, Luhanske came under 120 mm mortar fire. Rebel troops used small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers to harass Ukrainian forces at Zaitseve and Luhnaske. In the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Shyrokyne and Taramchuk; Shyrokyne was also hit by 120 mm mortar fire. The separatists fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Hnutove, Vodiane, Pavlopil and Talakivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka and Katerinove were struck by 82 mm mortar barrages, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Stanytsia Luhanska.^{[500][501][502]}

22 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 59 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 18 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 36 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region^[503]).^{[502][504][505]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 21 February. The casualty occurred at Donetsk airfield.^[503] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,980 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Yakovliivka, Zhabicheve, Kruta Balka, Vesele, Olenivka, Signalne, Sakhanka, Leninske, Oktyabr and Donetsk airport.^[506] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire five times within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Ukrainian BMP-1 vehicles from Luhanske engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, supported by small arms, grenade launchers, and automatic grenade launchers, while 82 mm mortars firing from Katerinivka shelled Molodezhne. Lohvynove became the target of small arms, grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers and BMP-1 vehicles from Luhanske.^[507]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions 27 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian positions in the village of Vodiane were shelled from 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and Grad portable rocket systems. Mortar volleys also landed in Lebedinske and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops at Hnutove and Pavlopil came under small arms fire. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on the Ukrainian stronghold of Luhanske, supported by small arms, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars. Zaitseve, Pisky and Opytne became the target of small arms and grenade launchers.^{[508][509][510]}

23 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 19 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region^[511]).^{[512][513][514][515]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 22 February.^[511] The casualty occurred in Luhanske.^[511] One Ukrainian serviceman, who was wounded at Avdiivka on 21 February, died of wounds in Dnipro hospital on 23 February.^[516] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 706 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Gagarin mining complex, Ozeryanivka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Leninskе, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[517] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 11 Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic borders. Ukrainian BMP-1 vehicles from Luhanske engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalynove, supported by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars. Lohvynove and Lozove became the target of 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 82 mm mortars. Kalinivka was fired at from Luhanske by automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars and BMP-1 vehicles.^[518]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 41 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, rebel forces opened fire with heavy machine guns and rocket launchers on Avdiivka, Pisky and Verkhnyotoretske, while Kamyanka came under mortar fire. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka on several occasions. Mortar volleys also landed in Zaitseve, in the area of Horlivka. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were used to harass Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske, Luhanske and Zaitseve. Sniper fire was also reported at Novhorodske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, attacked Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line. Popasna was shelled by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, while Troitske, Krymske and Oleksandrivka became the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Troitske was also fired at by antiaircraft artillery. In the region of Mariupol, the separatists fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Vodiane, Pavlopil, Hnutove and Shyrokyne. Taramchuk was struck by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages, and hostile snipers were active at Shyrokyne.^{[519][520][521]}

24 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 84 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 31 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[522]).^{[523][521][524]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in the Donbass region on 23 February.^[522] Separatist officials in the city of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 2,453 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Krasny Partizan, Dolomitne, Shyroka Balka, Ozeryanivka, Mykhailivka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Zhabicheve, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Styla, Dokuchaievsk, Naberezhne, Petrovske, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Vesele, Signalne, Luhanske, Novozhilivka, Olenovka, Starolaspa, Belaya Kamyanka, Novolaspa, Novomariivka, Staromariivka, Oktyabr, Bezimenne, Nova Tavrya, Sosnovske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. According to the same sources, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 9,360 occasions over the past week, 3,354 of them using mortars, tanks and artillery. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed and five wounded during the same period.^[525] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 18 Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic borders. Heavy shelling was reported at Kalynove, which was pounded repeatedly by rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars; mortar volleys also struck residential areas of Lohvynove. Armoured fighting vehicles, supported by grenade launchers, engaged pro-Russian positions at Smile, Molodezhne, Kalinivka and Lozove. The same sources denounced 65 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the republic on the past week. One rebel soldier was seriously wounded.^[526]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 47 occasions; five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar barrages hit Vodiane, while Novotroitske, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Shyrokyne became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne were also fired at by armoured fighting vehicles. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka, Troitske, Dacha and Zaitseve, while rocket launchers were fired at Ukrainian redoubts in Avdiivka, Pisky, Maiorsk, Zaitseve and Luhanske. Water supply was interrupted in Avdiivka and in rebel-held areas of Donetsk and Yasinuvata when a purification plant near Donetsk city was struck by artillery fire, which damaged a chlorine tank. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, pro-Russian troops fired small arms and grenade launchers at Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Troitske.^{[527][528][529][530]}

25 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 92 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 40 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 41 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region^[531]).^{[532][533][534][535]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that sixteen Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 24 February.^[531] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 2,161 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack rebel forces at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Holmovskyi, Myhailivka, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Vasiliivka, Vesele, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Oktyabr, Bezimenne, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, outskirts of Debaltseve, Trudovske, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Volvo Center and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded.^[536][537] The same source claimed that "Ukrainian radicals" had taken over the water purification plant in the outskirts of Donetsk.^[538] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 11 occasions within the republic boundaries. Ukrainian tanks opened fire on pro-Russian redoubts at Kalynove, which was also shelled by rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded. Smile and Kalinivka were also shelled by Ukrainian forces, while rocket propelled grenades and mortar volleys struck Nyzhne Lozove.^[539]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded, one was injured. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts at Pisky, Butivka mining complex and Kamyanka. Mortar fire from 82 mm and 120 mm weapons was reported at Avdiivka, Butivka mining complex and Troitske. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars landed in Zaitseve and Luhanske, while small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire was reported at Novhorodske, Kirove and Zaitseve. In the region of Mariupol, Lebedinske was hit by 120 mm mortar barrages, and Hnutove, Pavlopil, Chermalik, Vodiane and Shyrokyne by small arms and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel troops shelled Troitske with 120 mm mortars.^[540]

26 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 23 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 21 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region^[541]).^{[542][543][544][545]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 25 February.^[541][546] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 761 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. Most incidents took place at Ozeryanivka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Krasny Partizan, Vasiliivka, Dolomitne, Yakovliivka, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Dzerzhinsky, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[547] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 16 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka were hit by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades, while Lohvynove was fired at by rocket launchers three times. Mortar volleys landed in Kalynove, which was also pounded by grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops also opened fire on rebel redoubts at Nyzhne Lozove, Zolote, Sokolniki and Kirovsk.^[548]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 30 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Butivka mining complex, south of Avdiivka. Butivka was also the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. In the same area around Donetsk city, the rebels shelled Avdiivka itself and nearby Kamyanka. In the outskirts of Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, which also became the target of small arms and rocket launchers along with Novoluhanske and Zaitseve. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Katerinivka and Popasna came under 120 mm mortar fire.^[549][550]

27 February

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 62 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 31 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 23 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region^[551]).^{[552][553][554][555]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, two wounded, and two contused in the Donbass region on 26 February.^[551] Separatist officials in the city of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 932 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian positions at Shyroka Balka, Mykhailivka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[556] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 17 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Kalinivka was fired at from Luhanske by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles, Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske attacked pro-Russian positions at Sokolniki. Kalynove was shelled from Novozvanivka with 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, while Molodezhne became the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Katerinivka. Automatic grenade launchers from Svitlodarsk hit pro-Russian redoubts at Lozove.Armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske opened fire on Lohvynove, supported by 82 mm mortars.^[557]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 56 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces around Avdiivka for the third consecutive day. Meanwhile, also in the outskirts of Donetsk, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys struck Troitske, Opytne, Butivka mining complex and Avdiivka itself. Small arms and grenade launchers were fired at Kamyanka and Troitske. In the area of Horlivka, rebel troops shelled Luhanske and Novoluhanske with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and fired small arms and rocket launchers at Zaitseve and Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on the Ukrainian strongholds of Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Lebedinske. Novotroitske and Pavlopil came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Rebel forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Pavlopil, Talakivka, Vodiane, Hnutove, Novotroitske and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops at Talakivka received sniper fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, sniper fire was reported at Lobacheve.^[558][559]

28 February

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 84 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 37 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 41 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region^[560]).^{[561][562][563]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian servicemen was wounded in the Donbass region on 27 February.^[560] The casualty was caused by shelling in Lobacheve.^[560] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 2,373 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Holmivskyi, Dokuchaievsk, Styla, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Zheleznaya Balka, Yakovlevka, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Vasiliivka, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[564] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 13 Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic boundaries. Lozove was shelled by 152 self-propelled artillery firing from Svitlodarsk. Meanwhile, Ukrainian BMP-1 vehicles from Luhanske engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka supported by small arms, grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars. Kalynove was fired at by small arms and 82 mm mortars from Troitske, while small arms, grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars from Luhanske pounded rebel redoubts at Lohvynove. The same target was hit by small arms, grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm recoilless antitank guns firing from Mironovske. Ukrainian BMP-1 vehicles from Krymske opened fire on Horoshche.^[565]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 56 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, one was wounded. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Butivka mining complex. Avdiivka, Troitske and Kamyanka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. The rebels also fired small arms and rocket launchers at Avdiivka, Nevelske and Verkhnyotoretske. In the area of Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novoluhanske. Zaitseve and Luhanske were also fired at by small arms and grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, the separatists shelled Vodiane with mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Mortar fire was also reported at Hnutove and Shyrokyne, while Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Talakivka and Hnutove became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne and Novotroitske. In the northern front, Krymske was pounded by 152 mm artillery, while Ukrainian troops at Stanytsia Luhanska and Novooleksandrivka were harassed by small arms fire.^{[566][567][568][569]}

March

1 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 117 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 44 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 47 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 26 occasions in Luhansk region^[570]).^{[571][572][573][574]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four wounded in the Donbass region on 28 February.^[570][575] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 1,774 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to pound rebel positions at Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Ozeryanivka, Verkhnyotoretske, Vasiliivka, Zheleznaya Balka, Mykhailivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[576] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 20 Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic borders. Ukrainian forces used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilles guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to engage pro-Russian positions at .Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Mariivka, Molodezhne and Kalynove.^[577]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 58 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk, rebel forces kept up their pressure on Avdiivka. Pro-Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on the Ukrainian stronghold, supported by rocket launchers.and mortars. Novoselivka, Kamyanka and Pisky became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. The same kind of weapons were used by the separatists around Horlivka to pound Zaitseve and Novhorodske. In the region of Mariupol, 122 mm artillery barrages hit Vodiane and Shyrokyne, while at Novotroitske, Bohdanivka, Pavloipil and Chermalik came under mortar fire. The separatists also fired small arms, and rocket launchers at Talakivka, Pavlopil, Lebedinske and Shyrokyne. Heavy shelling was reported in the northern sector of the demarcation line. Troitske was shelled by 152 mm howitzer, and Krymske by 122 mm artillery. Novozvanivka, Zolote, Orekhove and Troitske were shelled with 82 mm mortars .^[578][579] One Ukrainian soldier was killed and seven wounded.^[580]

2 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 118 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 46 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 52 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 20 occasions in Luhansk region^[581]).^{[582][583][584]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian servicemen was killed and nine others were wounded in the Donbass region on 1 March.^[581][585] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 1,520 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Staromykhailivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Vasiliivka, Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Dokuchaievsk, Styla, Yasne, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Bezimenne, Naberezhne, Oktyabr, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[586] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 19 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilles guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to target rebel positions at Frunze, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Lohvynove, Kalynove, Kalynove-Borshchevate, Mikhaylivka and Kalinivka.^[587]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 78 occasions; one Ukrainian servicemen was killed, eight were wounded. West of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks continued their attacks on Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex, supported by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Troitske and Avdiivka also became the target of antiaircraft guns, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Kamyanka, Opytne, Marinka and Pisky. Sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Kamyanka and Marinka, and small arms fire was reported at Nevelske. In the area of Horlivka, armoured fighting vehicles, supported by heavy machine guns, opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Luhnaske. Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske received sniper fire. In the region of Mariupol 20 BM-21 "Grad" artillery rockets struck Ukrainian positions at Vodiane. Mortar barrages landed in Hnutove and Vodiane, while Shyrokyne, Starohnativka, Lebedinske, Talakivka. Sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne and Lebedinske. Armoured fighting vehicles opened fire at Shyrokyne, Novohryhorivka and Hnutove. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces shelled Novozvanivka with 152 mm artillery, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortars landed in Novoaleksandrivka, Novozvanivka, Katerinivka, Krymske and Malynove.^[588][589]

3 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 116 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 59 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 27 occasions in Luhansk region^[590]).^{[591][592][593][594][595]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and twenty-two were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 2 march.^[590] One civilian was injured by shelling in Zolote on 2 March, another civilian, a seventy-year-old female was injured in Krasnohorivka on 1 March.^[590] The National Police reported that that five civilians had been killed and thirteen wounded in Avdiivka during the first two months of the year.^[596] Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city reported 11,480 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the last week, 3,994 of them involving mortars, tanks and artillery. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded. The same sources said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 1,859 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery.^[597] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 18 occasions within the republic borders. Pro-Russian positions at Smile, Molodezhne, Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Zholobok, Berezovske, Kalynove-Borshchevate and Pervomaisk became the target of small arms, grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm artillery.^[598] The same sources reported 94 Ukrainian violations of the truce over the past week.^[599]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 62 occasions; one Ukrainian soldier was wounded. Around Donetsk city, heavy artillery rounds hit a Ukrainian outpost part of the combined center for control of the ceasefire in Avdiivka. The artillery fire also damaged an OSCE observation post. Pro-Russian tanks opened fire on other areas of the town, Earlier in the day, Avdiivka had been pounded by small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars along with Butivka mining complex, Pisky, Krasnohorivka, Nevelske, Opytne and Verkhnetoretske. The same kind of weapons were fired at Luhanske and Zaitseve. In the region of Mariupol, Lebedinske was shelled by 122 mm artillery, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Vodiane and Shyrokyne. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne, and rebel troops fired small arms and heavy machine guns at Vodiane, Novotroitske, Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Novohryhorivka. Snipers fired at Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske and Vodiane. In the northern section of the demarcation line, mortar fire was reported at Katerinivka, Krymske and Novoaleksandrivka, while heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and antitank guided missiles were fired at Krymske, where Ukrainian positions were engaged by Pro-Russian tanks.^{[600][601][602][603]}

The prime minister of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, announced thet the republic will impose their own "trade blockade" on Ukrainian goods. He said they will give preference to Russian products, specially coal. Zakharchenko also declares the nationalization of all private companies within the jurisdiction of the republic.^[604][605]

4 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 115 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 39 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 49 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 27 occasions in Luhansk region^[606][607]).^{[603][608][609][610]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman and one border guard were wounded in the Donbass region on 3 March.^[606][607] Separatist officials in the city of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 1,948 occasions on their positions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Kominternove, Telmanove, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Bezimenne, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, and Donetsk airport.^[611]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 52 occasions; three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks continued to engage Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka and Kamyanka, supported by mortar fire. The rebels fired small arms and grenade launchers at Troitske, while Ukrainian troops at Opytne received sniper fire and small arms fire in Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian redoubts received tank fire in Luhanske, and Zaitseve was fired at by small arms, snipers and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, Bohdanivka, Novotroitske and Vodiane were shelled by 122 mm artillery and 120 mm mortars. Shyrokyne, Hnutove and Talakivka came under small arms fire, and Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske and Lebedinske became the target of sniper fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line,the rebels shelled Kalynove and Popasna with 152 mm artillery, while Novooleksandrivka, Krymske, Orekhove, Popasna, Katerinivka and Novozvanivka came under 122 mm artillery fire. Krymske was also attacked with antitank guided missiles.^[612][613]

5 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 110 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 26 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 42 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 42 occasions in Luhansk region^[614]).^{[615][616][617][618][619]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and twelve were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 4 March.^[614] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 2,483 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Holmivskyi, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Bezimenne, Kominternove, Trudovske and Petrovsky district. Two pro-Russian soldiers were killed and another wounded,^[620] Basurin also stated that two Ukrainian motorboats from Mariupol attacked pro-Russian positions along the shores of the Sea of Azov under rebel control with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. The separatists returned fire, and the small craft sailed back to Mariupol's port.^[621]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 54 occasions; two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, one was injured. South of Avdiivka, pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Kamyanka, Pisky and Butivka mining complex. Also in the area of Donetsk city, small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars were fired at Avdiivka, Troitske, Opytne and Pisky. Around Horlivka, hostile armoured fighting vehicles and tanks opened fire on the Ukrainian stronghold of Luhanske, while rebel troops fired small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Maiorsk. In the region of Mariupol, the separatists shelled Talakivka, Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne with mortars, and harassed Ukrainian troops at Vodiane, Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Pavlopil with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Vodiane and Shyrokyne were attacked by armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. Shyrokyne was also struck by antitank guided missiles. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Bohuslavske and Novooleksandrivka, while small arms fire was reported at Popasna.^[622][623]

6 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 100 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 46 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 43 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region^[624]).^{[625][626][627]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 5 March.^[624][628] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 2,015 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Staromyhailivka, Telmanove, Bezimenne, Oktyabr, Sakhanka, Spartak, Trudovske and Donetsk city.^[629] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 19 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local authorities. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to engage pro-Russian positions at Frunze, Donetskyi, Zholobok, Lozove, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Lohvynove and Veselehorivka, where mortar fire killed one rebel soldier.^[630]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 71 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, two were wounded. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, mortar fire was reported at Avdiivka, Maiorsk, Troitske and Verkhnyotoretske. Rebel forces fired small arms and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian strongholds of Pisky, Verkhnyotoretske, Nevelske and Kamyanka. Ukrainian troops at Kamyanka also received sniper fire. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions at Lebedinske and Vodiane, while mortar volleys landed in Hnutove, Chermalik, Lebedinske, Talakivka, Pavlopil and Vodiane. Small arms and rocket launchers were fired at Novotroitske, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Shyrokyne. Ukrainian redoubts at Vodiane and Shyrokyne also became the target of armoured fighting vehicles. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 120 mm mortar barrages hit Novooleksandrivka, Novotoshkivke and Krymske. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Troitske.^{[631][632][633]}

7 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 122 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 35 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 64 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 23 occasions in Luhansk region^[634]).^{[635][636][637][638][639]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and five others were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 6 March.^{[634][640][641]} Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 2,927 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery and BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. The main targets were Staromykhailivka, Trudovske, Signalne, Luhanske, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Holmivskyi, Zaitseve, Telmanove, Sakhanka, Bezimenne, Kominternove and Leninske.^[642] Local sources recorded ten Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military engaged pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, Prvomaisk, Kalynove, Frunze, Annivka and Smile using small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles.^[643]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 53 occasions; three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, one was injured. Around Donetsk city, 82 mm and 120mm mortar barrages hit Severne, Avdiivka, Marinka and Verkhnyotoretske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Pisky; Pisky, along with Troitske and Marinka, also became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. In the area of Horlivka, Zaitseve was attacked with small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol, where Talakivka and Taramchuk came under heavy artillery fire. Meanwhile, 82 mm and 120 mmmortar volleys landed in Vodiane and Talakivka. Rebel troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Hnutove. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Krymske was shelled by mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, while Novotoshkivke was repeatedly attacked with mortar fire and antitank guided missiles. Ukrainian troops received small arms fire at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka.^[644][645]

8 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 108 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 35 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 57 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region^[646][647]).^{[648][649][650]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and three others injured in the Donbass region on 7 March.^[646][647] Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 500 occasions on their positions counting only heavy weapons. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire 75 times using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Myhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Bezimenne, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Priazove, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Krasny Partizan, Olenivka, Signalne, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Volvo-Center, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[651] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 11 Ukrainian violations of the truce within the republic borders. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 self-propelled artillery to attack Ukrainian positions at Sokolniki, Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Loginov, Sanzharivka and Mariivka.^[652]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had targeted positions of Ukrainian troops on 29 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne, which also came under small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Rocket launchers were used to shell Vodiane and Hnutove, while Ukrainian forces at Lebedinske, Novohryhorivka and Hnutove received small arms and heavy machine gun fire Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 120 mm mortar barrages hit Avdiivka, Maiorsk and Luhanske, while heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Novoluhanske, Zaitseve, Troitske and Novhorodske. Sniper fire was also reported at Zaitseve and Novhorodske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka and Troitske were shelled by 120 mm mortars, Small arms fire raked Ukrainian outposts in Krymske.^{[653][654][655]} Later in the night, separatist sources reported heavy fighting around Horlivka and Oleksandrivka. Pro-Russian positions at Oleksandrivka, a rebel stronghold southwest of Donetsk city, were stormed by armoured fighting vehicles supported by small arms, mortar and artillery fire.^[656][657]

9 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 69 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 24 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 33 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region^[658]).^{[659][660][661][662]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 8 March.^[658] Three civilians were injured by shelling, two in Zaitseve and one in Avdiivka.^[663] The press officer of the Ukrainian 72nd detached armoured brigade, Olena Mokrenchuk, reported that a rebel fighter was killed during an engagement with hostile snipers. A Russian passport was recovered from his body.^[664] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 57 occasions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military opened fire on rebel positions at Sakhanka, Olenivka, Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Yakovliivka, Spartak, Ozeryanivka, Kominternove, Horlivka, Signalne, Bezimenne, Oktybr, Holmivskyi, Dokuchaievsk, Volvo Center, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[665] According to local officials there were 14 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military engaged pro-Russian positions at Pervomaisk, Sokolniki Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Lozove, Annivka and Krasny Liman with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[666]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 39 occasions; three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, two were injured. In the region of Mariupol, the rebels shelled Novotroitske, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Bohdanivka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian redoubts at Lebedinske, Novohryhorivka, Shyrokyne, Chermalyk, Vodiane and Hnutove became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. Pro-Russian snipers opened fire on Ukrainian troops at Talakivka. In the outskirts of Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire struck Avdiivka, Dacha and Luhanske. Meanwhile, small arms and grenade launchers targeted the Ukrainian redoubts of Kamyanka, Troitske, Nevelske, Zaitseve, Luhanske and Pisky. Troitske also came under antiaircraft fire. Small arms fire was reported at Maiorsk, and hostile snipers engaged Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka and Zaitseve. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka and Popasna were shelled by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, while, Stanytsia Luhanska and Novozvanivka were fired at by small arms and rocket launchers.^[667][668]

10 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 80 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 27 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 40 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 13 occasions in Luhansk region^[669]).^{[668][670][671]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 9 March.^[669] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 71 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery.^[672] In the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported that Ukrainian forces broke the truce on eight occasions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian positions at Frunze, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Kalynove-Borschevate, Krasny Liman and Prishib.^[673]

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had targeted Ukrainian positions on 49 occasions; four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, five injured. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, heavy shelling was reported at Krymske, which became the target of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antitank guided missiles, 152 mm artillery and Bm-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. Smolyanive also came under 152 mm artillery fire, while Ukrainian troops at Novooleksandrivka were harassed by sniper fire. Small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades struck Ukrainian outposts at Novozvanivka. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka and Marinka, around Donetsk city, in both cases supported by mortar fire. Elsewhere in the area of Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Nevelske, Krasnohorivka and Luhanske, while small arms and grenade launchers were fired at Novhorodske, Kamyanka, Pisky, Zaitseve and Butivka mining complex. Armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, the separatists shelled Hnutove with 122 mm artillery, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodiane received small arms and machine gun fire, while Pavlopil and Talakivka.^[674][675]

The Ukrainian military made public that the five members of a Ukrainian patrol who went missing along the demarcation line the past month were being held prisoners by Luhansk People's militias, who accused them of Colonel Oleg Anashchenko's assassination on 4 February.^[676][677]

11 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 107 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 35 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 56 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region^[678]).^{[679][680][681][682]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, sixteen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 10 March.^[678][683] In his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 88 occasions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to pound pro-Russian positions at Yasinovataya, Kruta Balka, Kominternove, Zaitseve, Spartak, Bezimenne, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Olenivka, Horlivka, Oktyabr, Oleksandrivka, Luhanske, Petrovsky and Kiev district. One rebel soldier was killed.^[684] Local officials reported 14 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military engaged pro-Russian positions at Frunze, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Lohvynove, Lozove, Zholobok and Veselohorivka with small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[685]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 39 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka, that also became the target of small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Armoured fighting vehicles and tanks, supported by 120 mm mortars, opened fire at nearby Marinka. Elsewhere in the area of Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, while small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars were fired at Ukrainian troops at Butivka coal mine. In the region of Mariupol, Nikolaevka came under 122 mm artillery fire. Rebel troops also fired small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Pavlopil and Vodiane. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Bohuslavske, Novooleksandrivka, Katerinivka, Popasna and Krymske were hit by mortar fire.^[686][687]

Ukraine awarded 75 servicemen of the Armed Forces—26 of them posthumously—for personal courage and selfless performance of military duty.^[688]

12 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 75 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 22 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 40 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region^[689]).^{[690][691][692][693][694]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and one was wounded in the Donbass region on 11 March.^[689][695] The fatalities occurred during a 30-minutes clash with pro-Russian scouts at Berezove, north-west of Dokuchaievsk; one Ukrainian soldier was wounded at Avdiivka, Motuzynuk added.^[689] The explosion of a grenade injured lethally a teenager in Vuhledar.^[689] Separatist officials in the city of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 65 occasions over the last 24 hours. According to them, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Petrovsky district, Luhansk, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka, Zaitseve, Dokuchaievsk, Yasne, Styla, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Bezimenne and Oktyabr. One pro-Russian soldier was killed, another wounded.^[696][697] The same sources said that two Ukrainian naval vessels opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Bezimenne, in the Sea of Azov shores, in the course of an armed reconnaissance mission, for the second time in a week. The statement suggests that Ukrainian marines attempted to land in the area, but were repelled by rebel forces. The separatists claimed that return fire killed two assailants, wounded another three and severely damaged one Ukrainian boat.^[698][699] Meanwhile, in the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported ten Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Frunze, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove and Nikolaevka using small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[700]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 30 occasions; three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts in nearby Marinka, that was also the target of small arms, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Armoured fighting vehicles shelled Zaitseve, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortars landed in Luhanske. Sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Maiorsk. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Vodiane. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian troops at Valuiske received small arms fire.^[701] Later in the evening, ten BM-21 "Grad" artillery rockets landed around Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka.^[702]

13 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 82 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 38 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 7 occasions in Luhansk region^[703]).^{[704][705][706]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 12 March.^{[703][707][708]} Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 81 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Olenivka, Luhanske, Staromyhailivka, Bezimenne, Oktyabr, Kominternove and Sakhanka.^[709] According to local officials, the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire on ten occasions within the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian sources at Frunze, Kalinivka, Kalynove, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove and Nikolaevka.^[710]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 42 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex, west of Donetsk city. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, separatists forces also fired heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars at Opytne, Avdiivka, Verhnetoretskim, Zaitseva, Lugansk, Novgorod and Svitlodarsk. In the region of Mariupol, Heavy artillery fire was reported at Pavlopil, while Shyrokyne, Vodiane, Chermalik came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Rebel snipers opened fire on Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske In the northern section of the demarcation line, Krymske and Popasna became the target of rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Small arms and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns targeted Novooleksandrivka.^[711][712]

14 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 97 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 49 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 34 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region^[713]).^{[714][715][716][717]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and eight others were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 13 March.^[713][718] Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 72 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka, Donetsk city, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Trudovske, Dokuchaievsk, Yasne, Sakhanka, Oktyabr and Kominternove.^[719] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 16 occasions, The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to pound rebel positions at Frunze, Kalynove, Kalinivka, Lozove, Lohvynove, Zholobok, Krasny Liman and Sokolniki.^[720]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 54 occasions; two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, one was injured. Southeast of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks opened fire once again on Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka and Marinka. Avdiivka itself, meanwhile, became the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were also fired at Pisky and Opytne. In the area of Horlivka, armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms and rocket launchers, attacked Ukrainian forces at Zaitseve. Luhanske received heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Pavlopil and Chermalik. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Vodiane, supported by 82 mm mortar fire. Hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Hnutove. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Rebel troops fired heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars at Krymske. Sniper activity was reported at Novooleksandrivka, Novozvanivka and Zhovte.^{[721][722][723]}

15 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 106 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 41 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 41 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 24 occasions in Luhansk region^[723]).^{[724][725][726]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that seven Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 14 March.^{[723][727][728]} Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 82 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Horlivka, Zaytseve, Donetsk city, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Telmanove, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Bezimenne and Oktyabr.^[729] One pro-Russian soldier was killed when the trench he was manning was hit by 152 mm artillery fire.^[730] According to local sources, Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 22 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm artillery to pound Frunze, Kalynove, Kalinivka, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Zholobok, Zhovte, Sokolniki and Knyaz Igor memorial.^[731]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 46 occasions. In the outskirts of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces opened fire with small arms, grenade launchers and mortars at Avdiivka, Troitske and Luhanske. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka for the third consecutive day, while armoured fighting vehicles shelled nearby Kamyanka. Troitske and Butivka coal mine were struck by 120 mm mortar fire, and hostile snipers were active in Avdiivka. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Marinka. In the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Shyrokyne and Vodiane, along with heavy machine guns and antiaircraft cannons. Hnutove became the target of 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, and armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novohryhorivka. Novozvanivka, in the northern sector of the demarcation line, came under rocket propelled grenade fire.^[732][733]

16 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 91 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 34 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 25 occasions in Luhansk region^[734]).^{[735][736][737]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 15 March.^[734][738] Two female civilians were injured in Donetsk region on the same day.^[739] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 80 occasions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military opened fire on rebel positions at Luhanske, Trudovske, Staromykhailivka, Donetsk city, Olenivka, Yasne, Dokuchaievsk, Zaitseve, Horlivka, Izotov coal mine, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Oktyabr, Sakhanka and Kominternove. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action.^{[740][741][742]} In the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 14 occasions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to pound rebel positions at Frunze, Kalynove, Kalynivka, Lozove, Zhovte, Kruta Hora and Sokolniki.^[743][744]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 35 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian redoubts at Novotroitske, which was also hit by rocket propelled grenades, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Hnutove became the target of heavy machine guns and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, while 122 mm artillery barrages landed in Vodiane. Sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks continued to pound Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka. Rebel forces shelled Troitske with mortars and 122 mm artillery fire, Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka with 82 mm mortars and Kamyanka with 120 mm mortars. Zaitseve became the target of 73 mm antitank recoilless guns and 82 mm mortars. Pro-Russian snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske and Avdiivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Krymske came under 120 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka were fired at by small arms and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, while heavy machine gun fire was reported at Novooleksandrivka.^[745][746] Later in the night, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and four wounded in the same area when forces of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republlic hit their trenches at Lobacheve with 82 mm mortar fire.^[747]

17 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 77 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 32 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 33 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region^[748]).^{[744][749][750]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight were wounded in the Donbass region on 16 March.^[748] The fatalities were caused by shelling in Lobacheve, where also six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded; two of the soldiers, including one female, were wounded in Avdiivka.^[748] Separatist sources at Donetsk city recorded 529 krainian violations of the ceasefire over the past week. According to them, four pro-Russian soldiers were killed and two wounded during the same period. One civilian was also killed and nine injured, while 49 civilian residences were destroyed by shelling.^[751][752] According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 11 occasions inside the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military attacked rebel positions at Frunze, Kalynove, Kalinivka, Kalynove-Borshchevate, Lozove, Lohvynove and Veselohorivka with small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antitank guided missiles and armoured fighting vehicles.^[753] The same sources recorded 121 truce violations during the last week.^[754]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 60 occasions. An IED explosion killed one and wounded another Ukrainian serviceman. One Ukrainian soldier was killed at Krymske.^[755] Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions for the fourth consecutive day around Avdiivka, which also came under 120 mm mortar fire. Elsewhere near Donetsk city, Opytne was hit by 82 mm mortars, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Marinka. North of Horlivka, the rebels attacked Luhanske with 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, mortars and 122 mm artillery. In the region of Mariupol, Lebedinske, Shyrokyne, Hnutove and Vodiane became the target of mortar and 122 mm artillery volleys, while 120 mm mortars where fired at Talakivka and Chermalik.^[756][757]

18 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 112 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 52 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 46 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region^[758]).^{[759][760][761]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three wounded in the Donbass region on 17 March.^[758][762] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 81 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Naberezhne, Kiev district and Donetssk airport. Three civilian residents were wounded.^[763] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported 15 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, Lohvynove, Kalynove, Nyzhne Lozove, Lozove and Raevka using small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm artillery.^[764]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on 36 occasions, two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Avdiivka awas struck by rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys. Rebel forces shelled Nevelske and Luhanske with 120 mm mortars. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Pisky and Zaitseve became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, 122 mm artillery barrages landed near Vodiane, while Ukrainian forces at Hnutove received small arms fire. Armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions at Krymske. Earlier, the village had been fired at by grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortar and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Ukrainian redoubts near Popasna and Trokhizbenka were shelled by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, while 120 mm mortar barrages struck Troitske.^{[765][766][767]}

19 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 85 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 29 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 26 occasions in Luhansk region^[767]).^{[768][769][770]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 18 March.^[767][771] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 74 occasions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military opened fire on rebel positions at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Luhanske, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Spartak and Petrovsky district.^[772] Local officials said there were 12 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortaars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to engage pro-Russian positions at Frunze, Donetskyi, Kalinivka, Lohvynove, Horoshchsche, Kaliyove, Smile, and Lozove.^[773]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 19 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Most incidents in the region of Mariupol occurred around Vodiane, where Ukrainian redoubts were hit by small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and Z-23-2 antiaircraft guns. Hnutove, Shyrokyne and Pavlopil were raked by machine gun fire. West of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Avdiivka, hitting a civilian residence. The Ukrainian stronghold also became the target of grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. In the area of Horlivka, Luhanske was fired at by snipers, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces fired heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless guns at Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka and Novooñeksandrivka.^[774][775] A female civilian was injured by shelling in Avdiivka.^[776]

20 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 14 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region^[777]).^{[778][779][780]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen (one from the NGU, others from the ZSU) were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 19 March.^[777] Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 39 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Bezimenne, Leninske, Sakhanka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[781] Two civilian residences were heavily damages at Donetsk city, and one pro-Russian soldier was wounded.^[782] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire, when Kalynove came under 120 mm mortar fire from Popasna and Kalinivka became the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers firing from Luhanske.^[783]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on multiple occasions, three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight wounded. A clash between the warring parties took place at Vodiane, which also was fired at by 122 mm artillery, 152 mm artillery and BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. Elsewhere in the region of Mariupol, armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne supported by mortar fire. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks opened fire once again on Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka,where heavy machine gun fire was also reported. Rebel forces shelled Butivka coal mine with 120 mm mortars, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Luhanske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian forces at Troitske were target of heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Novozvanivka and Krymske were shelled by 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, and antitank guided missiles were launched at Ukrainian redoubts near Trokhizbenka.^{[784][785][786]} Separatist authorities claimed that their forces repulsed a Ukrainian assault on Kominternove. The rebels said that the Ukrainian military losses were 12 dead, 14 wounded, one tank and two armoured fighting vehicles disabled. Pro-Russian troops recovered the body of one Ukrainian soldier, another died of wounds while in rebel custody.^[787]

21 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 60 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 17 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 28 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[788]).^{[789][790][791]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and nine wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 20 March.^[788] Two groups of pro-Russian scouts, both of about twenty men, were beaten off at Vodiane in the morning of 20 March.^[788] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 59 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kommunarivka, Kominternove, Bezimenne, Leninske, Sakhanka, Spartak, Volvo Center and Donetsk airport. Three pro-Russian soldiers were killed and two wounded. One civilian was injured.^[792] According to local sources, Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 22 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to pound pro-Russian positions at Kalynove, Kalinivka, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Lohvynove, Sokolniki and Knyaz Igor memorial.^[793]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 36 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian positions at Butivka mining complex, which also became the target of antitank guided missiles. Earlier in the day, rebel forces shelled Avdiivka, Butivka mining complex, Opytne and Pisky. Zaitseve and Luhanske came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the region of Mariupol, small arms and heavy machine guns were fired at Ukrainian troops in Vodiane, Hnutove and Pavlopil. Sniper fire was reported at Nikolaevka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel troops fired heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Novozvanivka and Krymske.^[794][795]

22 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 76 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 33 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region^[796]).^{[797][798][799]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the Donbass region on 21 March.^[796] The casualty was caused by shelling at Marinka.^[796] During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 59 occasions over the past 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack pro-Russian positions at Zaitseve, Mineralne, Kruta Balka, Yakovliivka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Leninske, Trudovske, Staromykhailivka and the western outskirts of Donetsk city.^[800][801] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 16 occasions, The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars to attack Frunze, Kalinivka, Lozove, Lohvynove, Zholobok and Sokolniki.^[802]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on 49 occasions; no casualties were reported. Most incidents occurred in the region of Mariupol. Rebel artillery fired 122 mm howitzers on Ukrainian positions near Vodiane, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Shyrokyne and 82 mm in Pavlopil. Ukrainian forces at Chermalik, Vodiane, Pavlopil and Shyrokyne were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 152 mm artillery barrages hit Zaitseve. Butivka coal mine was shelled with 120 mm mortars, and Zaitseve and Avdiivka with 82 mm mortars. Avdiivka also became the target of antitank guided missiles. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian forces shelled Novozvanivka and Krymske with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Heavy machine guns and rocket launchers were fired at Ukrainian redoubts at Novozvanivka and Stanytsia Luhanska.^[803] Later in the evening, one Ukrainian soldier was killed by shelling in Avdiivka.^[804]

23 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 84 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 28 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 43 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 13 occasions in Luhansk region^[805][806]).^{[807][808][809][810]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in the Donbass region on 22 March.^[805][806] Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 63 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Dolomitne, Holmivskyi, Kruta Balka, Krasny Partizan, Yakovliivka, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[811][812] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported six Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Lozove, Kalynove, Veselehorivka, Prishib, Horoshche and Petrovenki using small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-3 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. One rebel soldier was wounded in action.^[813]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 43 occasions; three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol. The stronghold also became the target of "Grad-P" single rocket launchers. Earlier in the day, Shyrokyne had been fired at by heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and antiaircraft guns. The separatists shelled Vodiane with 82 mm mortars, while heavy machine guns and rocket launchers targeted Ukrainian redoubts at Hnutove. In the outskirts of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces fired heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars on Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka, Zaitseve, Luhanske, Novhorodske and Butivka coal mine. In addition, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Ukrainian forces in Krymske, Katerinivka and Novozvanivka.^[814][815]

Huge explosions devastated the Ukrainian military arsenal in Balakliia—the biggest in the country, around 100 km (60 miles) north from the demarcation line^[816]—beginning at 3.00 a.m. The main hypothesis of the Ukrainian government is that a sabotage group is to blame for the disaster. Military prosecutor Anatoly Matios points out instead to a drone strike on the facilities. The first blast took place in the tanks' shell storage. Almost 20,000 persons were evacuated from the area.^[817][818]

24 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 94 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 42 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region^[819]).^{[820][821][822]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 23 March.^[819] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 85 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the past 24 hours using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. There were 467 violations on the past week. The casualties were three pro-Russian soldiers killed and three wounded.^[823] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported five Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilles guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to target rebel positions at Lohvynove, Kalynove, Kalynove-Borshchevate and Sokolniki.^[824]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on 48 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action,^[825] including one Ukrainian soldier who was killed by heavy shelling near Troitske, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern section of the demarcation line. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks opened fire on Ukrainian forces at Butivka mining complex, while Zaitseve was hit by heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 152 mm artillery barrages. Heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars were used to engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka and Maiorsk. The same kind of weapons pounded Troitske, and sniper fire was reported at Marinka. Svitlodarsk was attacked with mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^{[826][827][828][829]} A 62-year-old male civilian was injured in Avdiivka at around 2:30 pm.^{[830][831][828]}

25 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 78 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 33 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 13 occasions in Luhansk region^[829]).^{[832][833][834]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and one was wounded in the Donbass region on 24 March.^[829] Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 85 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks,122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded.^[835] According to local sources, Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 11 occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm artillery to pound pro-Russian positions at Kalynove, Kalynove-Borshchevate, Kalinivka, Nyzhne Lozove, Lohvynove, Sokolniki and Raevka.^[836]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 39 occasions. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian positions at Marinka. Later the Ukrainian stronghold became the target of heavy artillery and mortars. Avdiivka and Novhorodske where shelled by 120 mm mortars. Novhorodske also came under 82 mm mortar fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Avdiivka, Troitske and Kamyanka, while 82 mm mortar volleys struck Zaitseve. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, 122 mm artillery barrages hit Vodiane, while Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske came under 120 mm mortar fire. The rebels also shelled Talakivka with 82 mm mortars, and Ukrainian troops in Shyrokyne were fired at by Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns. Sniper fire was reported at Novotroitske, Shyrokyne and Vodiane. Ukrainian forces returned fire on a number of occasions.^[837][838] Two civilians, male and female, were killed in Zaitseve.^[839]

26 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 81 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 31 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 41 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region^[840][841]).^{[842][843][844]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and injured in the Donbass region on 25 March.^[840][841] Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 74 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted Zhabicheve, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Olenivka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[845] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported three Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions at Donetskyi, Kalynivka and Kruta Hora using small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[846]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 50 occasions; four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Novotroitske and Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol. Nearby Hnutove and Vodiane came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Vodiane was also pounded by 122 mm artillery rounds, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Lebedinske. In the outskirts of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel artillery shelled Troitske with 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 mm guns, while Avdiivkaa and Luhanske came under 120 mm mortar fire. Pro-Russian forces also fired small arms and rocket launchers at Ukrainian troops in Verkhnyotoretske, Troitske, Avdiivka and Luhanske. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the separatists fired small arms and antitank guided missiles on Ukrainian strong points at Novozvanivka.^[847]

27 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 88 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 33 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 43 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region^[848]).^{[849][850][851]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight wounded in the Donbass region on 26 March.^[848] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 63 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks,122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yakloviivka, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Mineralne, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. A clash with Ukrainian scouts was reported at Maiorsk. One rebel soldier was wounded.^[852] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 14 Ukrainian violations of the truce within the republic borders. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilles guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to engage rebel positions at Frunze, Kalynove, Lohvynove, Lozove, Smile, Kalynove-Borschevate and Vesele Hora.^[853]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 22 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were killed by the explosion of an unidentified explosive device near Novoluhanske, three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded elsewhere. In the outskirts of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces fired heavy machine guns and 120 mm mortars at Ukrainian positions near Troitske and Luhanske, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka and Pisky. Ukrainian redoubts around Luhanske were engaged by armoured fighting vehicles. Sniper fire was reported near Troitske. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar volleys hit Ukrainian marines' positions at Pavlopil. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Vodiane, Novohryhorivka and Hnutove and sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne.^{[854][855][856][857]}

28 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 58 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 19 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region^[858]).^{[859][860][861][862]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and five others wounded/injured in the Donbass region on 27 March.^[858] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 68 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the past 24 hours using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Yakovliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Yasne, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka, Spartak and Donetsk airport.^[863] The mayor of Yasinuvata, Oleg Morgun, claimed that two Ukrainian drones bombed a converter station in the city during the past week, causing some damage on the facilities.^[864] According to local officials, the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire on ten occasions within the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm artillery to attack pro-Russian forces at Frunze, Kalynove, Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Sokolniki, and Lohvynove. One pro-Russian soldier was killed.^[865]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on 30 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Troitske, Avdiivka and Luhanske were hit by 120 mm mortar fire. Avdiivka and Troitske were also struck by 82 mm mortar volleys. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Luhanske, while heavy machine guns and rocket launchers were fired at Pisky, Luhanske and Troitske. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian marines at Shyrokyne received Zu-23-2 antiaircraft fire, while Taramchuk became the target of 82 mm mortars. Rebel forces fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Vodiane. Rocket propelled grendes also landed in Pavlopil. Sniper fire was reported at Hnutove and Vodiane. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka was shelled by 82 mm mortars and Novooleksandrivka by grenade launchers. The Ukrainian military fired back on several occasions.^[866][867]

29 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 11 occasions in Luhansk region, on 23 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol^[868]).^{[869][870][871]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in the Donbass region on 28 March.^[868] Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 54 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Mineralne, Yakovliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Spartak, Donetsk airport, Petrovsky, Kiev, and Kirov districts. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded. One civilian woman was killed in Mineralne.^[872] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 13 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilles guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles to target rebel positions at Frunze, Lohvynove, Kalynove, Kalinivka, Nyzhne Lozove, Zholobok and Sokolniki.^[873]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 35 occasions; two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded. In the region of Mariupol, Pavlopil became the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian marine positions at Shyrokyne were attacked by armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm artillery. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Vodiane, where sniper activity was also reported. Hnutove was shelled by 120 mm mortars. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces poured small arms, heavy machine gun, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire into Avdiivka. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Nevelske and Novhorodske, and heavy machine guns were fired at Verkhnyotoretske. Armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, fresh fighting was reported at Novooleksandrivka, where Ukrainian forces retaliated after coming under heavy machine gun fire. Pro-Russian tanks attacked the surroundings of Popasna, which were also hit by 122 mm and 152 mm artillery fire.^{[874][875][876]} One Ukrainian serviceman was killed at Luhanske,^[877][878] another Ukrainian soldier was lethally wounded near Popasna.^[879]

In Minsk, the warring parties agreed on a renewed ceasefire starting on 1 April for Easter season.^[880]

30 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 83 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region^[881]).^{[882][883][884][885]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three wounded in the Donbass region on 29 March.^[881] Pro-Russian officials at Donetsk city reported 70 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasinuvata, Mineralne, Dokuchaievsk, Yasne, Sosnovske, Leninske, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[886] According to local officials, the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire on ten occasions inside the republic borders. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery to attack pro-Russian forces at Frunze, Kalinove, Kalinivka, Lohvynove, Smile, Veselke, Veselohorivka, Sanzhirivka, Sokolniki and Knyaz Igor memorial.^[887]

According to the information provided by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on positions of Ukrainian troops on 37 occasions; three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded, one Ukrainian soldier was injured. In the area around Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces employed heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm artillery against Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of Luhanske. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian strong points near Avdiivka, while armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Opytne and Marinka. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Nevelske. Troitske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while 82 mm mortar barrages struck Kamyanka and Marinka. In the region of Mariupol pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Shyrokyne. Hostile snipers were active in the outskirts of Novotroitske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the rebels fired 82 mm at Novooleksandrivka and 120 mm at Troitske. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Stanytsia Luhanska, Valuiske, Troitske, Popasna, and Novozvanivka.^[888][889]

31 March

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 69 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day (including on 13 occasions in Luhansk region, on 30 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 26 occasions in the region of Mariupol^[890][891]).^{[892][893][894][895]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, thirteen were wounded/injured in the Donbass region on 30 March.^[890][891] Pro-Russian authorities at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 57 occasions on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft guns, armoured personnel carriers, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery.^[896] In the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities recorded 13 Ukrainian violations of the truce. Ukrainian forces employed small arms, rocket launchers, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to pound pro-Russian positions at Donetskyi, Kalynove, Kalinivka and Lozove.^[897]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 50 occasions; one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded. Ukrainian marines' positions at Shyrokyne, Vodiane, Hnutove and Pavlopil were shelled by 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery. Pavloipil also became the target of 82 mm mortars. In Vodiane, rebel forces fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged marines' strong points at Shyrokyno, supported by heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns, while sniper fire was reported at Novotroitske. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, Troitske and Zaitseve. Heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Butivka mining complex and Luhanske, and rocket propelled grenades hit the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske. Hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces opened fire with heavy machine guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars on Ukrainian redoubts at Krymske. The Ukrainian military returned fire several times.^[898][899]

 Deputy chief of the counterintelligence department in the Donetsk region, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Lieutenant Colonel Oleksandr Kharaberiush, was killed by an improvised explosive device while driving his car in the streets of Mariupol. Intelligence sources blame pro-Russian separatists for his assassination.^[900]

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