2 Ukrainian Soldiers Wounded in Action; Russian Helicopter Violates Ukrainian Air Space

Russia-backed forces attacked 27 times in the previous reporting period, and two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action, Liga.net reported, citing the ATO [Anti-Terrorist Operation) dispatch.

Militants significantly stepped up their attacks on Ukrainian positions, the ATO said, using mortar attacks. While the Donetsk line was relatively calm, 82-mm and 120-mm mortars, machine guns and grenades were fired near Avdeyevka. In the evening, militants began firing 82-mm and 120-mm mortar-launchers, grenade-launchers, a BMP and small arms on Peski; 82-mm mortars were also fired near Kamenka.

On the Maritime line, there was only fighting around Shirokino and Vodyanoye with grenade-launchers and heavy machine guns.

On the Lugansk line, only Krymskoye was attacked with grenade-launchers and heavy machine guns.

The Ukrainian army believes Russia-backed forces are using staged shelling to make it appear as if the Ukrainian side is violating the ceasefire. Specifically, changing positions of shelling in Vasilyevka in Donetsk Region was cited, Liga.net reported.

The separatists are charged with crimes against Ukrainian national security; 36 of them are “high officials” including “ministers, deputy ministers, bank directors and heads of administrations as well as commanders of military and militarized divisions”. The defendants are charged variously with “creating a terrorist group or organization” or “financing of terrorism”.

o A Russian helicopter from occupied Crimea violated Ukrainian airspace in Kherson Region.