DPR intelligence: Kiev redeploys self-propelled howitzers to Contact Line

Donetsk, Oct 17 – DAN. Ukrainian troops reinforced their positions on south and north axes, a DPR defense official said.

"One tank and two trucks loaded with munitions were located in Shumy village area (north-west of Gorlovka, 1 km from the contact line)," deputy commander of DPR Operations Command Colonel Eduard Basurin told journalists speaking at a briefing in DAN news agency.

"In Starognatovka village area (east of Volnovakha, south axis, 4.5 km from the frontline) two self-propelled 122mm howitzers Gvozdika were located," he added.

Basurin noted that JCCC and OSCE SMM were informed on the violations of ceasefire by Ukrainian forces.

DPR intelligence reports Kiev’s regular deployment of military equipment to the conflict zone. Under The Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements signed by the Contact Group on February 12, 2015, the sides have to withdraw their artillery systems of 100 mm caliber or more to a distance of 50 kilometers apart from each other, multiple launch rocket systems Tornado, Uragan and Smerch to a distance of 70 kilometers and Tactical Missile Systems Tochka to a distance of 140 kilometers. The Attachment to the Minsk Agreements signed in September provides for the parties’ withdrawal of their artillery systems of a caliber less than 100 mm, as well as tanks and mortars. Despite the accords, Ukraine regularly shells DPR areas.