Donetsk, Dec 29 – DAN. A Ukrainian saboteur group lost three personnel in mine tripping during failed attack on DPR defence lines, DPR Operations Command deputy commander Eduard Basurin told a news briefing at Donetsk News Agency.
“Yesterday, in Krutaya Balka area (Yasinovatskiy district – eds DAN), a saboteur and reconnaissance enemy group up to ten personnel, using mortar and small arms support fire, tried to break through our positions,” Basurin said. “As they approached our positions, they tripped a mine killing three Ukrainian army servicemen and sending the rest into panicky retreat.”
The ceasefire agreed in Minsk does not stop Kiev forces from carrying out armed provocations in the runup to New Year holidays, he said.
Kiev forces make regular attempts to break through DPR and LPR defence which usually ends in Ukrainian casualties. On 18 December, Ukrainian units attacked LPR People’s Militia positions in Kalinovka village area outside Debaltsevo.
The attack left ten Ukrainian servicemen dead and more than 20 wounded. Two Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed. During the attack, Ukrainian forces shelled and attacked DPR militia positions but were rebuffed. *jk