You're reading: Ukrainian military did not use artillery and mortars when resuming control over state border – Defense Ministry

 Ukrainian Armed Forces units involved in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) did not use artillery and mortars when resuming control over the state border in the east of the country, the press and information department of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry has reported.

The ministry's press service disclosed the details of the ATO in the east.

"On June 20, when performing the tasks of the anti-terrorist operation, Armed Forces units involved in the ATO approached the Dovzhansky checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Russian border. Terrorists who have recently occupied this border facility immediately offered desperate armed resistance to the government forces," reads the statement.

The militants who opened fire were trying to hold their positions.

"At one point during the clashes, a mortar bomb exploded near the border line. According to the Russian side, a representative of the Russian customs service was injured in this explosion," the ministry said.

The ministry said that militants extensively used artillery and mortars during clashes with Ukrainian law enforcers.

"In connection with this case, the press and information department of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry states that because of the proximity to the border with the Russian Federation, Ukrainian military did not and do not use artillery or mortars," reads the statement.