1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed from a Mine; 7 Russia-Backed Fighters Killed in Drunken New Year’s Accidents

While there were no reports of casualties in battle, one Ukrainian soldier was killed after stepping on a mine near Novotoshskoye, Unian reported, citing Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanik, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for ATO [Anti-Terrorist Operation] affairs.

He said there were five ceasefire violations by Russia-backed forces and Ukrainian troops returned fire. 

On the Donetsk line, near Pavlopol 82-mm and 120-mm mortars as well as infantry weapons were fired. 

Grenade-launchers and small arms were fired near Vodyanoye; 82-mm mortars, grenade-launchers and small arms were fired near Verkhnyetoretskoye, Unian reported.

Reports indicate that during the New Year holidays, 7 Russia-backed fighters were killed in drunken fights or through negligence, Unian reported, citing Col. Oleksandr Motuzyanik, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman for ATO [Anti-Terrorist Operation] affairs.

According to Motuzyanik, on December 31, in a unit of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps, a drunken soldier dropped a hand grenade, as a result of which four soldiers, one of whom was an officer, were killed, and two were wounded.

On New Year’s eve as well three drunken Russian soldiers also from the 1st Army Corps tried to use a broken gas cannister to cook a meal, it blew up, and they were killed. There were also injuries in road accidents.

— Catherine A. Fitzpatrick