Donetsk, Oct 21 – DAN. Nine DPR servicemen were killed and 13 wounded since situation have deteriorated on the south axis, DPR Minister of Defense said.
"Nine our defenders sacrificed their lives to repel all Ukrainian attacks. 12 servicemen were wounded," Vladimir Kononov told a briefing at DAN news agency press center.
He added that a civilian was killed and five were wounded as Kiev forces have shelled four townships. 14 houses sustained damage, mostly in Sakhanka and Leninskoye.
The minister stressed that the enemy's casualty numbers were much higher: more than 40 fighters have been killed and up to 100 wounded since Oct. 11. Three Ukrainian Armed Forces IFVs and a truck with munitions were destroyed.
"We were the first to announce complete ceasefires several times and we observed them. Culpable Ukrainian command may have considered our sincere desire to bring peace to Donbass to be our weakness. But the enemy was wrong and paid for it. I hope that their fighters' casualty numbers are to give a cold shower for their hothead generals," Kononov said.
The situation on the Mariupol axis escalated last week when Ukrainian forces attempted to break DPR defence line in Kominternovo, Leninskoye, Bezymennoye and Sakhanka villages area in Novoazovskiy district. Kiev losses amounted to 15 in killed and more than 30 wounded.