FRONTLINE: AGGRAVATION OF THE SITUATION NEAR MARYINKA TOWN

As of February 19, 2016 the Kremlin-backed terrorist groups of Donbass continue attacks on positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the use of small arms, large-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers of various types as well as 82-mm and 120-mm mortars. “Occupants were firing upon the strongholds of Ukraine's forces with multiple rocket launchers and self-propelled artillery systems over the last three days,” said ATO Staff spokesman Colonel Andriy Zadubinnyi.



The terrorists continued firing upon Ukrainian positions in ATO zone over the last day. “Adversary made 22 attacks upon the strongholds of ATO forces in Maryinka with precision fire from mortars, grenade launchers and small arms. Hostile sniper and antiaircraft mount were firing upon Maryinka checkpoint,” noted the ATO Staff spokesman. Ukrainian positions in Pisky, Opytne, Avdyivka, Mayorsk and Novhorodske came under fire from small arms and grenade launchers of various types. Militants also mortared a Ukrainian stronghold in Zaitseve. Russia-backed terrorist groups were firing upon Ukrainian fortifications in Starohnativka and Luhanske from small arms and an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV). Ukrainian positions near Bohuslavske in the Luhansk sector were fired upon from mortars, small arms and grenade launchers.

Also Andriy Lysenko has noted that recently the terrorist groups of Donbass get several weapon consignments from Russian Federation including T-72 tanks, self-propelled artillery and Grad:

"According to the Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry several consignments of ammunition and military equipment for militants arrived from Russia. “Six tow vehicles with T-72 tanks arrived in Horlivka; three APCs, four tanks, three Grad systems, two self-propelled artillery systems as well as two trucks with towed cannons arrived in Snizhne. In Luhansk region eight tanks, 12 combat armored vehicles and 30 trucks arrived to militant positions south of Shchastia,” said Colonel Andriy Lysenko, spokesman of Presidential Administration on ATO-related issues at a press briefing at Ukraine Crisis Media Center. Eight trucks with military personnel, three towed cannons and two fuel trucks arrived in Metalist town located north of Luhansk. Militant groups of the so-called “Luhansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”) in Verhulivka village received ammunition pieces for 82-mm and 122-mm mortars.

Main Intelligence Department of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reports about an incident, that happened in the so-called 9th motor-rifle regiment of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) during the visit of Colonel Dmitry Bondarev of the Russian Federation Armed Forces. “Platoon commander Lieutenant Boris Degtyaryov committed suicide. The serviceman threw a grenade inside the premises where the unit was based. As a result he killed himself and wounded three Russian troops."

In addition, in the night to February 19 the enemy's drones have bombed the base of Ukrainian military unit with  phosphorous grenades. That happened in Grodivka village, Donetsk region, at one of rear military facilities of 93th Airborne brigade. Fire sources, caused by explosions of phosphorus grenades were rapidly eliminated by soldiers. However, the enemy's drone wasn't destroyed. 

Source: Ukraine Crisis media center