You're reading: Kremlin-backed rebels continue shelling Ukrainian positions with artillery – NSDC

Militants have repeatedly attacked the positions and checkpoints of the anti-terrorist operation forces, Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has said.

 NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko said at a press briefing on Monday that terrorists had shelled the Ukrainian military’s positions and checkpoints in Donetsk regions, including in Nyzhnia Krynka, Maloorlivka, Hranitne, Krynychna, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka. Starohnativka, Avdiyivka, Pisky, Verkhniotoretske and the Donetsk airport, and in Luhansk region, including in Komyshuvakha, Popasna, Schastia and Zolote.

“The military has been offering a worthy rebuff,” he said.

The Ukrainian armed forces on Sept. 14 “fought off an attempted breakthrough near Yasynuvata in Donetsk region, and pushed the enemy away to a distance of several kilometers from the city… Militants were fighting with cover provided by artillery and Grad systems,” Lysenko said.

“All of the positions occupied by the Ukrainian military remain under their control. We are verifying reports about casualties,” Lysenko said.

“The Ukrainian forces did not shell residential districts or cities, either today, or yesterday or earlier. Nor did they deliver air strikes,” he said.

Since the ceasefire regime started warplanes are restricted in the zone of the counterterrorism operation. Only surveillance flights are permitted, he said.

The Ukrainian side has evidence that militants had been firing at residential areas from suburbs “in order to discredit the Ukrainian armed forces.” He said the militants use Ukrainian insignia on weapons, or wear Ukrainian military uniforms, firing shots in front of photographers.