Donetsk, Jan 31 – DAN. Ukrainian army has sustained significant losses in two attempts to break through DPR defences on south axis, amounting to 27 killed and dozens wounded, DPR Operations Command deputy commander Eduard Basurin said on Tuesday.
“The enemy continues to provoke us on Mariupol axis, too. In the first inept attack in Kominternovo village area which began at 10:00 a.m., the enemy lost one infantry fighting vehicle and ten servicemen killed,” Basurin said.
As they retreated to initial positions, Ukrainian forces left their fatalities and wounded in the battlefield. However, it did not stop Kiev and a second attempt to break through DPR defences was made which failed as well.
“At 2:30 p.m. Ukrainian gunmen unsuccessfully attempted to carry out reconnaissance in force, attacking our positions in Kominternovo area with up to one platoon supported by two infantry fighting vehicles. As they were flanking our positions, they began tripping mines. DPR militia returned dense fire, which left seven Ukrainian servicemen killed and more than ten wounded,” Basurin said.
Earlier reports said two DPR militiamen were killed and six others were wounded by Ukrainian forces shelling on Tuesday. *jk