The Russian-backed separatist forces in Donbas launched intense small-arms and mortar attacks against Ukrainian army positions in the Avdiyivka area on Jan. 29 before going on the offensive, the Ukraine military press center said.
“Starting from seven o’clock, the enemy launched a storming attack with the aim to seize our positions. Thanks to a successful maneuver and a counterattack, the Ukrainian armed forces stopped the enemy, preventing it from seizing the Ukrainian military positions,” the press center said on Facebook on Jan. 29.
The separatists sustained “substantial losses,” it said. According to Ukraine military, “the provocation was undertaken with a view to accusing Ukraine of violating the existing agreements.”
The situation in the Avdiyivka industrial zone remains tense. Kyiv reports that separatists continue the assault. “Unfortunately, there have been losses on our side as well,” the Ukraine military headquarters said.
It was reported earlier that Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said that three members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been killed on Jan. 29 morning as a result of artillery shelling and hostile attacks near the Avdiyivka industrial zone in Donetsk region.
“We stress: these casualties have occurred since the beginning of this day,” he said during an afternoon briefing in Kyiv on Jan. 29.
