Timeline of the war in Donbass (January–March 2016)

This is a timeline of the War in Donbass, from 1 January 2016. The timeline follows an ongoing conflict between Ukraine and anti-government pro-Russian separatists supported by Russian troops^[1] in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine.

January

1 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on 31 December.^[2][3][4] Fifteen ceasefire violations were recorded during the first hours of 1 January 2016.^[2] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the last day of 2015.^[5] The separatists said one of their soldiers was killed in the early hours on 1 January as Ukrainian forces shelled the Donetsk airfield and the Kominternove village, in the area of Mariupol.^[6]

By evening, separatist militias had broken the ceasefire on 24 occasions by firing small arms and heavy machine guns along the demarcation line. Around Donetsk city, there was harassing fire on Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Opytne. Automatic weapons were also fired at Troitske, south of Popasna, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front. Ukrainian outposts at Novhorodske and Luhanske, in the region south of Bakhmut, were also raked by small arms fire.^[7] One Ukrainian soldier was killed by a pro-Russian sniper near the rebel-held city of Horlivka.^[8]

2 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 42 occasions during the first day of the year. Two ceasefire violations were registered during the first hours of 2 January 2016.^[9][10] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one serviceman of the Ukrainian Aidar battalion was killed and two soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces suffered injuries in the Donbass region during the first day of 2016. No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[11][12][13]

There were 15 ceasefire violations throughout the day committed by the militias, almost all of them using small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The separatists opened fire with small arms on Avdiivka, Troitske and Opytne, which was also the target of rocket propelled grenades. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Troitske in the evening, Rebel snipers were active in Pisky and Novhorodske.^[14]

3 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on 2 January.^[15][16] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[17] One soldier, however, died of wounds sustained on 1 January while patrolling the border with Russia near Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front.^[18] A younger soldier from the Azov battalion, wounded in the Mariupol area last week, also succumbed to his injuries on 1 January.^[19]

Separatist forces broke the ceasefire on six occasions throughout the day. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Opytne, west of Donetsk city, while the stronghold of Novhorodske, near Horlivka, was the target of automatic grenade launchers.^[20] Members of the 72nd infantry brigade of the Ukrainian army took control of the heights surrounding Novotroitske, from where they could check pro-Russian movements in the area.^[21]

4 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 11 occasions during 3 January. Four ceasefire violations were registered during the first hours of 4 January.^[22][23] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[24]

The militias broke the ceasefire ten times throughout the day, all of them in the area around Donetsk city. Fighting erupted in the morning around the Ukrainian stronghold of Opytne, when Ukrainian troops returned fire after enduring a 30-minute rebel attack that involvded the use of small arms fire, snipers and rocket propelled grenades. A Ukrainian outpost also became the target of automatic fire at Maryinka. Avdiivka and Opytne were pounded with automatic grenade launchers.^[25]

Death of the head of the GRU – that according to Western analysts played a key role in the seizure of Crimea and the insurgency by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine, which followed the Crimea annexation in March 2014 – Igor Sergun, was announced in Moscow.^[26][27][28]

5 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on 4 January.^[29][30] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[31]

By evening, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on nine occasions along the demarcation line. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Ukrainian troops were harassed with small arms and machine gun fire in Novhorodske and Luhanske. The same happened south of Troitske, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front. West of Donetsk city, Ukrainian redoubts near Pisky and Opytne were the target of small arms fire.^[32]

6 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 23 occasions on 5 January, including on 14 occasions after 18:00 pm. At about 04:00 am in the morning of 6 January harassing fire on Ukrainian positions at Pisky was registered.^[33][34] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[35]

Pro-Russian forces opened fire on 21 occasions on Ukrainian positions during Orthodox Christmas Eve. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the rebels focused their actions on Ukrainian redoubts around Maryinka, which became the target of small arms and different types of rocket launchers. Ukrainian troops manning outposts at Pisky and Opytne received intense harassing fire from small arms and heavy machine guns. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the separatists fired light weapons and rocket propelled grenades at the Ukrainian strongholds of Luhanske, Novhorodske and Maiorsk. Rebel snipers were reported at Zaitseve. The Ukrainian garrison at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, received small arms fire.^[36]

7 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions on 6 January and on 10 occasions during the first hours of 7 January.^[37][38][39] In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rebel forces fired automatic grenade launchers on Maryinka and small arms and rocket propelled grenades on Verkhnotoretske. Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Pisky and Opytne were the target of small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Around Horlivka, the separatists pounded the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Maiorsk with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. North of Mariupol, Hranitne received small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. After midnight, Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske were harassed with automatic fire, while 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Zaitseve.^[40] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[41][42][43] Pro-Russian sources said that Ukrainian troops fired a 10-minute 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrage on Sakhanka, east of Shyrokyne.^[44]

By the evening of Christmas Day, separatist forces had broken the ceasefire on 18 occasions, making intensive use of heavy weapons banned by the Minsk agreements. Pro-Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles launched an attack on Ukrainian positions at Nevelske, in the western outskirts of Donetsk city, supported by heavy machine gun fire. Other settlements in the area like Avdiivka, Opytne and Pisky were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, SPG-9 recoilless guns and heavy machine guns were fired on the Ukrainian stronghold of Luhanske, while 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Zaitseve. Ukrainian forces at Maiorsk, Luhanske and Novhorodske were harassed with light weapons and rocket propelled grenades. No incidents were recorded in Luhansk Oblast and the area around Mariupol.^[45] After 18:00, however, 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Lebedynske, east of Mariupol.^[46]

8 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 24 occasions on 7 January. At around 01:00 am on 8 January 15 minutes of uninterrupted fire on Ukrainian positions near Opytne was recorded.^[47][48] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[49]

There were 14 violations of the truce by separatist militias throughout the day. The rebels used small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Maryinka, Opytne and Pisky were attacked in the area around Donetsk city, while Ukrainian troops between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk received harassing fire in Maiorsk, Troitske, Luhanske and Novhorodske.^[50]

9 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 29 occasions on 8 January. No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast and in the area surrounding Mariupol. During the first hours of 9 January no ceasefire violations were registered either.^[51] The Ukrainian military reported no casualties over the last 24 hours.^[52][53][54]

The militias had broken the ceasefire on 15 occasions by evening. In the area west of Donetsk, the rebels opened fire on the Ukrainian strongholds of Opytne, Avdiivka and Pisky with small arms, heavy machine guns and several types of grenade launchers. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske.^[55]

10 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 28 occasions on 9 January. No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast and in the area surrounding Mariupol. During the first hours of 10 January the militias broke the truce only once.^[56][57] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon two Ukrainian servicemen, one soldier and one police officer in the rank of captain, were killed in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours; one female civilian was wounded.^[58][59]

Throughout the day, the militias broke the ceasefire on ten occasions. Most of the attacks took place around Horlivka, where the rebels fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers on Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve and Maiorsk. In the area around Donetsk city, sniper activity was reported in Opytne and south of Avdiivka, and small arms fire at Pisky.^[60]

11 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 21 occasions on 10 January. No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[61][62] Ukrainian troops west of Donetsk city received small arms fire in Opytne and south of Avdiivka. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades, while small arms were used to harass Ukrainian positions at Starohnativka. In the area between Artemivsk and Horlivka, the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Leninske were attacked with small arms fire, and Luhanske, to the east, was pounded with heavy machine gun fire and automatic grenade launchers. Troitske, on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, in the northern front, was shelled by pro-Russian tanks.^[63] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualties occurred in Zaitseve, north of Horlivka.^[64][65]

The Ukrainian military reported eight violations of the truce during the day. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the separatists opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Opytne with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the militias opened harassing fire in Novhorodske and Luhanske using small arms and heavy machine guns. The region of Mariupol also witnessed armed incidents in Hranitne, where Ukrainian troops received heavy machine gun fire, and in the village of Vodyane, in the buffer zone, which was the target of rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar rounds.^[66]

12 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 35 occasions on 10 January. Clashes between the warring factions took place near Semyhirja, north of Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast, where the Ukrainian troops claimed to have repelled a rebel assault.^[67][68] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[69][70]

The Ukrainian military recorded 15 violations of the ceasefire throughout the day, none of them involving banned heavy weapons. In the area around Donetsk city, the separatists opened fire on Ukrainian positions at Opytne and Avdiivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Troitske, between Donetsk city and Horlivka, was shelled with automatic grenade launchers. The rebels were also active in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, where the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Maiorsk received small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[71]

13 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 24 occasions during 12 January.^[72][73] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[74]

Pro-Russian forces carried out 37 attacks on Ukrainian positions throughout the day. Most of the incidents occurred in the surroundings of Donetsk city and north of Horlivka. The rebels fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades at the Ukrainian strongholds of Pisky, Opytne and Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city. Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, Novoselivka and Novhorodske, around Horlivka, also received harassing fire. Luhanske, in the same area, was the target of small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The village was also the scene of a brief engagement between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian scouts. Ukrainian troops at Troitske, on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts, in the northern front, were also fired at by the separatists.^[75]

Presidents Obama and Putin spoke by telephone and discussed the crises in Ukraine and Syria, amongst other issues.^[76][77] A meeting of the Minsk Trilateral Contact Group began in the Belarusian capital.^[78]

14 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 70 occasions during 13 January and at least on 10 occasions during the first hours of 14 January. The militias concentrated their activities around Donetsk city and Horlivka. Ukrainian positions were the target of small arms fire, heavy machine arms fire and rocket propelled grenades at Pisky, Avdiivka, Opytne, Maryinka, Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Maiorsk. Zaitseve was also shelled with 82 mm mortars, and snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske and Maiorsk. In the morning, the rebels raked Ukrainian outposts at Pisky and Verhnetoretske, pounded Opytne with automatic grenade launchers, fired rocket propelled grenades on Novhorodske and heavy machine guns on Zaitseve.^[79][80] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon two Ukrainian servicemen were injured in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualties occurred near Mariupol, where a Ukrainian army truck hit a landmine.^[81][82] Sporadic fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian patrols took place south of the villages of Luhanske and Troitske, in the area between Horlivka, Artemivsk and Popasna.^[82]

At 10:30 am, Ukrainian army scouts engaged an evicted a group of separatist intruders from the buffer zone, near the rebel-held village of Kominternove, east of Mariupol.^[83] Fighting was also reported at nearby Vodyane, where rebel troops broke into the village center before being repulsed by the Ukrainian garrison.^[84] An OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) statement denounced that the militias were "setting up defensive positions" between Kominternove and Vodyane.^[85] The Ukrainian military recorded almost 40 violations of the ceasefire by pro-Russian forces by evening. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars. Besides the clashes east of Mariupol, most incidents occurred around Donetsk city and Horlivka, in the Ukrainian strongholds of Opytne, Pisky, Avdiika, Maryinka, Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novhorodske. Sniper activity was reported in Maryinka, west of Donetsk city, while Novhorodske was hit twice by 82 mm mortar barrages.^[84]

President Poroshenko told journalists that "Ukrainian sovereignty over the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions must be restored".^[86]

15 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on more than 60 occasions during 14 January^[87][88] and on more than 5 occasions during the first hours of 15 January. No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast and in the areas surrounding Mariupol.^[87] Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action over the past 24 hours.^[89][90][91] A National Guard medic wounded on 13 January died from his wounds.^[92]

The militias broke the ceasefire agreement on 17 occasions throughout the day. Most incidents took place west of Donetsk city and in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. The rebels used small arms fire in Maryinka, Pisky, Opytne and Avdiivka, where the Ukrainian defenders were also harassed by snipers, Novhorodske was also the target of small arms, and Maiorsk was pounded with automatic grenade launchers. Antitank missiles landed in Luhanske, while Troitske, in the northern front, was shelled by SPG-9 recoilless guns.^[93]

President Putin has admitted that Western sanctions are "severely harming" Russia's economy.^[94] Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and Kremlin aide Vladislav Surkov have met to discuss the Ukraine crisis in Russia's western exclave of Kaliningrad.^[95]

16 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 40 occasions during 15 January.^[96][97] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[98]

At 11:40 am an OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) armoured vehicle was hit by small arms fire near Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast.^[99]

By evening, the separatists had carried out 28 attacks on Ukrainian positions, specially in the area around Donetsk city, where Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Krasnohorivka and Pisky received harassing fire from small arms. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Opytne, supported by small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and grenade launchers. South of Artemivsk, Ukrainian outposts were raked with automatic fire in Zaitseve, while heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Luhanske.^[100]

17 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 36 occasions during 16 January.^[101][102] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[103]

Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions throughout the day. The rebels harassed the Ukrainian stronghold of Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, with small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. West of Donetsk city, Opytne and Pisky were the target of small arms and heavy machine gun fire. In the afternoon, the separatists pounded Talakivka, in the region of Mariupol, with small arms, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortars.^[104]

18 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 48 occasions during 17 January.^[105][106] Ukrainian forces returned fire.^[107] Most incidents occurred around Horlivka.^[108] Ukrainian troops at Luhanske and Novhorodske were fired at by armoured fighting vehicles. Novhorodske was also shelled by 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian positions in the area were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Near Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka on two occasions, while Talakivka was pounded with heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. Small arms fire was also reported at Hranitne. Ukrainian forces at Maryinka, west of Donetsk city, also received automatic fire.^[107] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during past 24 hours. Two servicemen were injured by explosive devices.^[109]

The rebels had launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops along the demarcation line by evening. Most incidents took place in the region of Mariupol. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by grenade launchers and antiaircraft cannons, shelled Ukrainian positions around the town of Starohnativka. Vodyane was the target of 120 mm mortars. Mortar rounds also landed in Lebedynske. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the militias harassed Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Butivka mining complex and Opytne. Nearby Krasnohorivka was shelled with recoilless antitank guns and mortars. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles fired at Ukrainian outposts near Luhanske, in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. An unidentified drone was spotted over the Sea of Azov.^[110]

19 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 47 occasions during 18 January.^{[111][112][113]} The rebels used small arms, rocket launchers, mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[114] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[115]

A platoon commander of Ukrainian Volunteer Corps was killed in the area of Donetsk airfield.^[116] The Ukrainian military reported 11 violations of the ceasefire by rebel troops until 18:00. Between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the militias harassed Ukrainian positions at Novhorodske and Zaitsev with small arms fire. Small arms fire was also reported west of Donetsk city, where the separatists attacked Avdiivka, Pisky and Butivka mining complex. Snipers opened fire on Ukrainia troops at Opytne.^[117]

20 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 17 occasions during 19 January.^{[118][119][120][121]} No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[122]

Pro-Russian forces opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 18 occasions throughout the day. In the region west of Donetsk city, the militias pounded Pisky with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and grenade launchers. At Maryinka, Ukrainian positions werew harassed by hostile snipers and rocket propelled grenades. Snipers were also active around Zaitseve, in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. East of Mariupol, the rebels launched a mortar barrage on Talavkivka.^[123]

21 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 29 occasions during 20 January.^{[124][125][126]} No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[127]

The Ukrainian military recorded 16 violations of the ceasefire by evening. in the area around Donetsk city, the militias harassed Ukrainian positions with small arms fire, and heavy machine guns in Opytne and Pisky, and with snipers in Maryinka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Novhorodske and Novoselivka, in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. The Ukrainian troops there were also the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Rebel troops fired automatic weapons, including heavy machine guns, on the village of Troitske, on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk Oblast,^[128]

According to Alexander Hug – first Deputy Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission of the OSCE in Ukraine – along the contact line between the warring parties there were some areas which are not under the control of either side.^[129]

22 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 69 occasions during 21 January.^{[130][131][132]} Rebel militants pounded the Ukrainian strongholds of Maryinka, Opytne and Krasnohorivka, in the surroundings of Donetsk city. Zaitseve, in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, was the target of heavy machine gun fire, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Maiorsk. In the northern front, the separatists fired heavy machine guns at Troitske -on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts- and automatic grenade launchers at Zolote, east of Popasna. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian troops fired antitank missiles on Talakivka and 120 mm mortars on Starohnativka.^[133] The Ukrainian army fired back on several occasions.^[134] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in action in the Donbass region during past 24 hours. One serviceman was injured by an explosive device.^{[135][136][137]}

The militias broke the ceasefire on 17 occasions throughout the day, most of them in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, where Zaitseve and Maiorsk were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. The rebels also fired grenade launchers at Ukrainian positions around Luhanske. Rocket propelled grenades also landed in Maryinka, in the surroundings of Donetsk city, where Ukrainian troops at Opytne and Pisky were harassed with small arms fire.^[138][139]

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) observed in Luhansk region ceasefire violations related to live-fire exercises on both sides of the contact line.^[140]

23 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 37 occasions during 22 January.^{[141][142][143]} The rebels harassed Ukrainian entrenchments at Opytne, Pisky and Butivka mining complex, in the area around Donetsk city. Maryinka was also the target of automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on two different occasions on Ukrainian positions at Luhanske, north of Horlivka. In the same region, Zaitseve and Maiorsk were the target of small arms fire.^[144] One Ukrainian soldier died and another was wounded in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours. The serviceman was killed by an improvised explosive device^[145][146] near the village of Syze, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front.^[147] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[146]

The Ukrainian military recorded 11 attacks on their positions throughout the day. The bulk of incidents took place in the outskirts of Donetsk city, where the rebels harassed Ukrainian troops at Pisky with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Sniper activity was reported near Opytne.^[148]

24 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 38 occasions during the previous day.^[149][150] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[151] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[151]

The militias had broken the truce on ten occasions by evening. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rebel troops opened fire with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers on Novhorodske and Zaitseve. Ukrainian outposts at Luhanske were harassed with small arms fire. The same kind of weapons were used against Opytne and Pisky, west of Donetsk city. Ukrainian troops at Maryinka and Zaitseve -the latter in the area north of Horlivka- received small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[152][153]

25 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 29 occasions during 24 January.^[154][155] The separatists concentrated their efforts in the area west of Donetsk city, where the main target was the Ukrainian stronghold of Maryinka, pounded with small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and antiaircraft cannons. Small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were also fired at Ukrainian redoubts in Pisky and Opytne. Small arms and rocket propelled grenades were used at Avdiivka to harass Ukrainian troops. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, snipers fired on Ukrainian positions near Novhorodske.^[156] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^[157][158]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire agreement 24 times throughout the day. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the militias opened fire with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers on Opytne and Pisky. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Zaitseve and Novhorodske were the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[159]

26 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 44 occasions during 25 January.^[160][161] The Ukrainian strongholds of Pisky, Opytne, Maryinka, -west of Donetsk city- Luhanske, Zaitseve, and Novhorodske -south of Artemivsk- were the main targets of the rebel militias. Pro-Russian tanks attacked a Ukrainian forward outpost near Pisky, while small arms, heavy machine guns and different types of grenade launchers were fired elsewhere.^[162] Military analyst Dmitry Tymchuk said that separatist infantry attempted to break through the Ukrainian lines near Novoselivka, supported by 82 mm mortar fire. He also reported a rebel assault on Novhorodske, after intense small arms fire and a barrage of automatic-launched grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. Pro-Russian infantry entered the settlement of Shyroka Balka, in the buffer zone. Ukrainian forces returned fire and repulsed both attacks. Reconnaissance groups also tried to slip through the demarcation line at Maryinka with the support of SPG-9 recoilless guns and ZU-23-2 antiaircraft cannons.^[163] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualty occurred in Pisky, Donetsk Oblast.^[164] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[164]

By evening, Ukrainian authorities had recorded 19 ceasefire violations by separatist troops. The majority of the attacks took place on Ukrainian redoubts west Donetsk city, where the rebels used small arms, heavy machine guns and snipers to harass Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Opytne and Butivka mining complex. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Novhorodkse, which was also the target of automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve were the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire.^[165]

27 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 66 occasions during 26 January.^[166][167] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[168] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[168]

By evening, rebel forces had broken the ceasefire 23 times according to Ukrainian sources. The bulk of the incidents occurred west of Donetsk city, specially at Opytne and Pisky. Both strongholds were attacked by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles supported by small arms fire, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, Talakivka was the target of rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortar rounds and antitank missiles.^[169]

28 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 40 occasions during 27 January.^{[170][171][172]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[173][174]

Ukrainian authorities recorded 25 violations of the ceasefire by the rebel militias throughout the day. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Maiorsk and Mironivskiy, on both ends of the area, were struck by heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. West of Donetsk city, Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka were harassed with small arms fire, macine gun fire, antiaircraft cannons, 82 mm mortars and banned 120 mm mortars. The rebels also fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Opytne, Pisky and Butivka mining complex. In the northern front, pro-Russian forces launched antitank guided missiles on Sokolniki, in the area of Bakhmutka road. On the border between Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, Troitske was the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers.^[175]

29 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 71 occasions during 28 January.^[176][177] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[178]

Throughout the day, separatist forces broke the ceasefire on 19 occasions. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian positions around Novhorodske and Luhanske with the support of heavy machine gun fire. Near Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka, Starohnativka and Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. The same kind of weapons were used by the rebels at Avdiivka, Opytne and Butivka mining complex, west of Donetsk city. The Ukrainian stronghold of Novozvanivka, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front, was the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar volleys.^[179]

According to president Poroshenko 2,269 Ukrainian soldiers had died during the war.^[180]

30 January

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 38 occasions during 29 January.^{[181][182][183]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[184][185]

The militias had broken the ceasefire on 12 occasions by evening. West of Donetsk city, the separatists opened fire with heavy machine guns on Avdiivka and Troitske, while Opytne was the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. South of Artemivsk, Ukrainian outposts around Zaitseve were pounded three times with automatic weapons and rocket propelled grenades. Automatic grenade launchers shelled Luhanske. North of Mariupol, snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka.^[186] One Ukrainian soldier was killed and two others wounded when a rebel mortar barrage struck their positions at Butivka mining complex, west of Donetsk city.^[187]

31 January

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 36 occasions during 30 January.^{[188][189][190]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. One Ukrainian soldier was killed by explosion of a booby trap and another was wounded.^{[191][192][193]}

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where Pisky and Opytne were pounded with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The separatist alsop opened fire on Ukrainian outposts at Avdiivka, Maryinka, Verkhnetoretske and Troitske. Heavy fire pounded Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka, which was the target of heavy machine guns and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Novhorodske with the support of automatic grenade launchers and rocket propelled grenades.^[194] Ukrainian intelligence sources claim that two civilians were killed by rebel security forces in the occupied zone.^[195]

February

1 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 53 occasions during the last day of January.^[196][197] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[198]

By evening, separatist troops had opened fire on 21 occasions on Ukrainian troops. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rocket propelled grenades landed in Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex. Pro-Russian forces fired heavy machine guns and antiaircraft cannons at Ukrainian redoubts near Opytne. The Ukrainian troops at Pisky were harassed with small arms fire. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the rebels attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Maiorsk, Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Troitske with heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades.^[199][200]

President Poroshenko said in Berlin, that more than 1,200 bombings were recorded in January and the rebel fighters also used heavy artillery despite the conditions set out in the 2015 Minsk peace deal.^[201]

2 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions during 1 February.^{[202][203][204]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[205] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[205] The SMM of the OSCE observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and several in Luhansk region.^[206]

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 35 occasions.^[207] Most incidents occurred in the area around Donetsk city. Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka were shelled with 82 mm mortars. The separatists also fired small arms and different types of grenade launchers systems on Opytne and Pisky. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rebel forces harassed Ukrainian troops at Luhanske and Verkhnotoretske with automatic fire. The Ukrainian stronghold of Troitske was the target of mortar fire. North of Mariupol, heavy machine guns and mortar were fired at Krasnohorivka.^[208] Alexander Hug – first Deputy Chief Monitor of the SMM of the OSCE in Ukraine – confirmed the use of heavy weaponry in Zaitseve.^[209][210]

President Poroshenko said in an interview to Bild that the danger of open war is „More serious than last year. Russia has not implemented a single point of the Minsk Agreement.“^[211][212]

3 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 55 occasions during 2 February.^{[213][214][215]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[216] Another soldier was killed and four wounded when an improvised explosive device went off during a patrol in the area south of Artemivsk.^[217] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[216] The SMM of the OSCE observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and several in Luhansk region.^[218]

The separatists opened fire on 15 occasions throughout the day.^[219] The militias launched "Grad" rockets volleys from the village of Sakhanka on Kominternove, in the buffer zone east of Mariupol. The settlement was also the target of antiaircraft cannons, antitank missiles and 120 mm mortars fired by pro-Russian troops from Oktyabr.^[220]

4 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 55 occasions during 3 February.^{[221][222][223]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualty occurred near Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast.^[224][225]

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 38 occasions. The separatist concentrated their activity on Ukrainian positions in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. Early in the morning, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages struck Zaitseve, while 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Maiorsk during the afternoon. Ukrainian troops at Mironovske were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. The strongholds of Luhanske, Troitske and Verkhnotoretske were the target of small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian forces pounded Avdiivka, Maryinka and Butivka mining complex with small arms, heavy machine guns and different types of grenade launchers. North of Mariupol, the rebels fired antitank rockets and 120 mm mortar rounds at Ukrainian positions near Hranitne.^[226]

5 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 81 occasions during 4 February,^{[227][228][229]} 12 of them using banned heavy weapons.^[230] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[231] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[231]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had fired 45 times on Ukrainian entrenchments along the demarcation line. In the region of Mariupol, separatist forces attacked Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. They also shelled Hnutove and Talakivka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the rebels harassed Ukrainian troops at Pisky with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Mortar barrages landed in Avdiivka and Opytne, while Butivka mining complex was also shelled with rocket propelled grenades and mortars. Mortar volleys also struck Zaitseve, in the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. Small arms and heavy machine guns were fired at Ukrainian outposts in the nearby settlements of Novhorodske and Maiorsk.^[232]

6 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 84 occasions during 5 February.^{[233][234][235]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that eleven Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[236][237] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[236] The ATO press center released a statement where they claimed that the militias deployed mobile mortar teams along the demarcation line during the last week. The groups shelled not only Ukrainian positions, but also villages in the buffer zone on even in rebel-held areas, in order to accuse the Ukrainian army of the attacks.^[238]

By evening, separatist troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on Ukrainian troops. Most incidents took place in the surroundings of Donetsk city and the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. The rebels opened fire with small arms and grenade launchers on Ukrainian redoubts at Pisky, Opytne and Butivka mining complex, west of Donetsk city. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, supported by heavy machine guns and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Around Horlivka, Zaitseve was the target of heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, while Ukrainian positions at Troitske and Maiorsk where struck by mortar rounds.^[239]

7 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 47 occasions during 6 February.^{[240][241][242]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualty occurred near Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast.^[243] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[243]

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 37 occasions. Around Donetsk city, the militias shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, Maryinka and Butivka mining complex using different types of grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at Pisky and Opytne were harassed with small arms fire and hevy machine gun fire. The Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka received fire from small arms and automatic grenade launchers from pro-Russian positions at Staromyhailivka. In the surroundings of Horlivka, the rebels opened fire with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers on Novhorodske and Mironovske. Mortar rounds landed on Ukrainian positions near Troitske. Hranitne, north of Mariupol, was the target of machine gun fire.^[244]

8 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions during 7 February.^{[245][246][247]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualty occurred in Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast.^[248] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[248][249]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had fired 20 times on Ukrainian entrenchments along the demarcation line, mainly in the region surrounding Donetsk city. Ukrainian outposts at Avdiivka, Pisky, Maryinka and Butivka mining complex were the target of small arms fire and different types of rocket propelled grenades. Krasnohorivka was again shelled with mortars firing from rebel-held Staromyhailivka. In the region between Horlivka and Svletodarsk the rebels opened fire with heavy machine guns on Zaitseve, Troitske and Novhorodske. The later village was also the target of small arms fire. Hnutove, north of Mariupol, was shelled with 82 mm mortars. South of Popasna, in the northern front, the separatists fired 120 mm mortar rounds on Troitske, on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.^[250][251] The Ukrainian military claimed that late in the night, a pro-Russian mortar mobile team fired simultaneously on Ukrainian troops at Maryinka and on the rebel-held village of Trudovske, with the aim of accusing the Ukrainian army for the shelling of civilian population.^[252]

9 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 45 occasions during 8 February.^{[253][254][255]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[256][257]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^{[258][259][260]} The Ukrainian stronghold of Troitske, right on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, was the target of heavy machine guns, antiaircraft cannons and 82 mm mortars. West of Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts in Avdiivka, while small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades pounded Opytne and Pisky. Rebel forces fired on eight different occasions on Ukrainian positions around Maryinka with heavy machine guns and several types of grenade-launcher systems. East of Mariupol, the village of Vodyane was shelled with a grenade launcher.^[261]

10 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 45 occasions during 9 February.^{[262][263][264]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[265][266]

At least four people died after minibus Volkswagen Transporter exploded on a mine near Maryinka, Donetsk region.^{[265][266][267][268][269]}

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions. Around Donetsk city, the rebels harassed the Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky and Butivka mining complex with small arms fire. Sniper activity was reported at Maryinka. Pro-Russian forces fired 82 mm mortar volleys at the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka. In the area of Horlivka, the militias pounded the Ukrainian redoubts of Novhorodske, Troitske and Verkhnetoretske with heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. East of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was the target of small arms and grenade launchers.^[270] Near Donetsk airport, one Ukrainian soldier from the 58th Brigade was killed and another two wounded by the explosion of an improvised device.^[271]

11 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 50 occasions during 10 February,^{[272][273][274]} including on 9 occasions from 82 and 120 mm mortars.^[275][276] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[275][276] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[275][276]

During the day, the militias fired on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rebel troops shelled Zaitseve with mortar barrages, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Novhorodske and Verkhnetoretske. Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk received antiaircraft cannon fire. The separatist harassed Ukrainian troops at Luhanske with heavy machine gun fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Pisky, Opytne, Maryinka and Butivka mining complex were the target of automatic weapons and grenade launchers. Grenade launchers were also used to shell Pavlopil, in the region of Mariupol. Pro-Russian snipers were active near Shyrokyne, in the same area. Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksandr Turchynov made public that Maryinka border guard checkpoint on the demarcation line may be closed in the near future because relentess enemy fire in the area.^[277][278]

12 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 53 occasions during 11 February.^{[279][280][281]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. One civilian was wounded in Zaitseve, Donetsk Oblast.^{[282][283][284]} No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[282][284]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had fired 27 times on Ukrainian entrenchments along the demarcation line. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Ukrainian troops at Troitske and Avdiivka were harassed with small arms fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Novhorodske and Opytne, and mortar rounds in Pisky. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by heavy machine gun and mortar fire, attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka. The militias also fired small arms and grenade launchers at Maryinka. Near Mariupol, Talakivka was shelled with 82 mm mortar fire and Vodyane with rocket propelled grenades. Military activity was also reported in the northern front, Luhansk oblast, where Novozvanivka, Krimsky and Zolote were the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar volleys.^[285]

13 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 67 occasions during 12 February.^{[286][287][288]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[289]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian troops. North of Mariupol, separatist forces fired mortar rounds on Pavlopil and Talakivka, and antitank missiles on Hranitne. Around Donetsk city the militias used heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades to harass Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Opytne and Avdiivka. A forward Ukrainian outpost at Troitske, on the border between Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, was fired at by a heavy machine gun.^[290] Fierce fighting took place late in the evening around Maryinka, west of Donetsk city. The Ukrainian military reported the use of heavy weapons by rebel forces.^[291]

14 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 69 occasions during 13 February.^{[292][293][294]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that seven Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours,^[295] including five in the attacks near Maryinka.^[296] Citing Ukrainian military intelligence, Motuzyanyk said that one Russian serviceman was killed and died and one wounded near Zaitseve, north of Horlivka.^[297] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[295]

By evening, separatist troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^[298] In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts near Krasnohorivka, supported by heavy machine gun fire and mortar barrages. The Ukrainian strongholds of Opytne, Maryinka, Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex were the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, mortar rounds landed around Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve. The rebels also fired heavy machine guns and antitank missiles on Luhanske and small arms and rocket propelled grenades on Novhorodske. North of Mariupol, fighting erupted between Ukrainian troops and rebel scouts near Hnutove. The militiamen used small arms and mortars. In the same area, Ukrainian outposts at Novotroitske were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[299]

15 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 71 occasions during 14 February.^{[300][301][302]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[303] Clashes between the warring factions took place near Hnutove, 23 km northeast of Mariupol.^[304][305] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[303]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 29 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^[306] Heavy shelling was reported on Ukrainian redoubts near Kominternove, east of Mariupol, upon which the rebels fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys. West of Horlivka, the militias used heavy machine guns and antitank grenades against Novhorodske. Around Donetsk city, Ukrainian troops in Avdiivka received automatic fire, while the strongholds of Nikolaevka, Maryinka and Pisky were the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[307]

16 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 79 occasions during 15 February. In at least one occasion, the separatist targeted Ukrainian forces with self-propelled artillery. The self-propelled guns were fired on Ukrainian redoubts at Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. The same positions were shaken by 120 mm mortar volleys. Mortar rounds also landed in Maiorsk, while Novhorodske, to the west, was pounded with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, mortar barrages landed on the Ukrainian strongholds of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Opytne, Pisky, Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex. Mortar rounds also fell into Ukrainian positions at Kominternove, Hnutove and Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol. Heavy machine guns and antitank rockets were fired at Ukrainian troops near Hranitne. In the northern front, the militias attacked the Ukrainian garrisons at Trokhizbenka and Sokolniki, Luhansk Oblast.^{[308][309][310]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian soldiers were killed in action and six wounded over the past 24 hours.^{[311][312][313][314]}

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 24 occasions on Ukrainian troops. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Ukrainian redoubts around Krasnohorivka were shelled four times by mortar fire. The strongholds of Pisky, Opytne, Verkhnetoretske and Maryinka were the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. North of Mariupol, the separatists fired 82 mm mortar barrages on Ukrainian positions at Chermalik. West of Horlivka, automatic weapons and grenade launchers pounded Novhorodske. In the northern front, the rebels shelled Krimsky, Luhansk Oblast, with rocket propelled grenades and volleys of 120 mm mortar fire.^[315]

17 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 60 occasions during 16 February. Besides rocket propelled grenades and mortars, the rebels used Grad multiple rocket launchers.^{[316][317][318]} Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action over the past 24 hours.^[319] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one serviceman was wounded by a sniper's bullet in Opytne, north of Donetsk city. Another serviceman was injured when a truck he was driving hit a TM-62 anti-tank mine near Zolote in Luhansk Oblast.^[320]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 24 occasions on Ukrainian troops. West of Donetsk city, rebel mortar teams opened up on Ukrainian redoubts around Maryinka, were sniper activity was also reported. Ukrainian troops at Pisky were harassed by small arms fire, while Opytne was shelled by grenade launchers and mortars. Ukrainian outposts at Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, were the target of small arms and heavy machine guns. The militias made use of small arms at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[321][322] Pro-Russian drones dropped incendiary bombs on a Ukrainian army depot at Zaporizhya, setting the facilities on fire.^[323]

18 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 47 occasions during 17 February. In the surroundings of Donetsk, Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Opytne and Troitske received heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, which was also shelled from mortars and antiaircraft cannons. Maryinka was pounded with 82 mm mortar barrages. Around Horlivka, the militias fired heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Luhanske. The Ukrainian army claimed that 122 mm artillery was used to shell their garrison at Maiorsk. In the northern front, Ukrainian troops at Trokhizbenka were harassed with small arms fire.^{[324][325][326]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and three others wounded in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[327][328] The casualties occurred near Pisky, where one Ukrainian soldier was killed and two wounded by explosion of a booby trap, the third serviceman was wounded near Maryinka.^[329]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian troops. Six incidents took place at Maryinka, where rebel armoured fighting vehicles shelled the Ukrainian stronghold with the support of grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops returned fire, killing a hostile sniper. Also in the western outskirts of Donetsk, Opytne was the target of small arms and machine gun fire and Pisky was pounded by grenade launchers. North of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Chermalik and Bohdanivka. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Ukrainian outposts at Luhanske and Zaitseve received small arms and heavy machine gun fire. The separatists also fired rocket propelled grenades at Novhorodske.^{[330][331][332]}

19 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 55 occasions during 18 February.^{[333][334][335]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was wounded in Mariynka over the past 24 hours.^[336][337]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 22 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^[338] Most incidents occurred around Donetsk city. Ukrainian positions at Pisky, Opytne and Krasnohorivka were the target of intense small arms fire. Rebel troops also opened up with antiaircraft cannons on Ukrainian redoubts at Troitske. In the region of Mariupol the Ukrainian military reported that the separatist made intensive use of small arms and grenade launchers. The militias shelled Hnutove with 82 mm mortar barrages. Ukrainian outposts near Luhanske, north of Horlivka, were raked with heavy machine gun fire. The Ukrainian army returned fire on several instances.^[339] Earlier in the morning, pro-Russian drones carried out an airstrike on the 93th Ukrainian Mechanized Brigade barracks at Hrodivka, Donetsk Oblast, the second of this kind in 48 hours. The unmanned aircraft dropped white phosphorus bombs on the brigade's ammunition dumps and artillery storages. The attack started several fires that were put down by the brigade servicemen.^[340]

20 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 54 occasions during 19 February. In the area west of Donetsk city, Ukrainian redoubts at Pisky, Avdivka and Opytne were harassed with small arms fire, while rocket propelled grenades landed in Maryinka. Pro-Russian infantry fighting vehicles attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, which was also shelled by 82 mm mortars. North of Mariupol, the same kind of weapon was used to pound Hnutove. Small arms were fired on Ukrainian positions at Vodyane. North of Horlivka, small arms fire was also reported at Zaitseve and Maiorsk.^[341][342] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualties occurred near Avdiivka.^[343][344] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[343][344]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian troops. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, rebel snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Pisky. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Ukrainian outposts at Zaitseve and Maiorsk were the target of machine gun fire and grenade launchers. Antitank missiles also landed in the village of Luhanske. The separatist fired 82 mm mortar volleys on Hnutove, north of Mariupol.^[345]

21 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that the night in ATO area was considerably calm.^{[346][347][348]} The Ukrainian Minister of Defence, however, reported at noon that Ukrainian positions along the demarcation line were fired at on 56 occasions over the last 24 hours. The militias concentrated their efforts on the area between Zaitseve and Maiorsk, north of Horlivka, and on Pisky, west of Donetsk. The separatists attacked Ukrainian redoubts around the three locations with 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Sniper activity was reported around Donetsk city in Maryinka and Krasnohorivka, and small arms fire in Avdiivka. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Hnutove and Talakivka, and automatic fire was used to harass Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne. Luhanske, between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, was the target of antitank missiles.^[349][350] One Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action in the Donbass region on the same period, according to the spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Alexander Motuzyanik. The fatality occurred in Maryinka, Donetsk Oblast.^[351] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[351]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 17 occasions on Ukrainian troops. In the outskirts of Donetsk, Ukrainian outposts at Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Troitske were the target of heavy machine gun fire. Antitank rockets landed in Pervomaisk and Avdiivka. The militias also fired small arms and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian redoubts near Maryinka. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rebel troops attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Zaitseve with heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Novhorodske.^[352]

22 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 44 occasions during 21 February.^{[353][354][355][356]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. Eleven servicemen were injured near Maryinka as a result of carelessness in handling an explosive device.^{[357][358][359]} No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^{[357][358][359]}

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian troops. The majority of incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the separatists shelled Butivka mining complex and "Zenith" outpost from rebel-held Spartak with automatic grenade launchers. The stronghold of Krasnohorivka was the target of 82 mm mortar volleys, while Ukrainian troops at Pisky, Opytne and Troitske were harassed with machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the rebels fired at Ukrainian redoubts around Zaitseve and Novhorodske with heavy machine guns and antitank rockets.^[360]

23 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^{[361][362][363]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[364] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[364]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 33 occasions on Ukrainian troops. The rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers on Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, and Pisky, Avdiivka, Butivka mining complex and Opytne in the area west of Donetsk city. In the same area, snipers were active in Butivka and Maryinka. Ukrainian redoubts at Chermalik, north of Mariupol, were the target of 82 mm mortar volleys. Pro-Russian troops attacked positions manned by Ukrainian marines on four occasions with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and different types of grenade launchers.^[365]

24 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 84 occasions during 23 February, 69 of them around Donetsk city. Pisky, Avdiivka, Pervomaisk, Butivka mining complex and "Zenith" outpost were the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. The Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka was shelled by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles and antiaircraft cannons. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Maiorsk and Zaitseve. Mortar fire was also reported around Mariupol in the villages of Talakivka, Chermalik and Vodyane.^[366][367] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[368][369]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 28 occasions on Ukrainian troops. The separatists fired mortar barrages on the Ukrainian strongholds of Pervomaisk and Nevelske, west of Donetsk city, and Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. The rebels also slammed Ukrainian outposts at Opytne, Pisky, Maryinka and Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, and Novhorodske, Novoselivka, Zaitseve and Maiorsk, around Horlivka, with small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Hostile snipers were reported at Maryinka and Butivka mining complex. In the region of Mariupol, mortar rounds landed in Hnutove and Chermalik while Novotroitske was the target of heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. In Novotroitske, Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles fired back, supported by grenade launchers.^[370] Local military sources confirmed that the militias had withdrawn from Shyrokyne and that Ukrainian troops took full control of the village.^[371]

25 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian troops.^{[372][373][374]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[375][376] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[375] A major engagement was recorded by Ukrainian authorities around Zaitseve between pro-Russian infantry who attempted to storm Ukrainian positions manned by a mechanized brigade. The battle lasted several hours, from the evening of 24 February to the first hours of the 25 and involved heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The defenders, beat off the offensive and launched a counter-attack, capturing in the process antitank missiles and incendiary rocket propelled grenades.^[377]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian troops. Eight incidents occurred around Donetsk city and in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, and the other five in the area of Mariupol. The separatists shelled the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka using mortars banned by the Minsk Agreements. Krasnohorivka, along with Maryinka, was also the target of small arsm, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Rebel snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Maryinka. Northwest of Horlivka, the militias slammed Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk with automatic fire, heavy machine guns and different types of grenade launchers. Sniper activity was reported at Novhorodske.^[378]

26 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces from 18:00 pm 25 February till midnight on 10 occasions.^{[379][380][381]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one serviceman was killed in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualty occurred in the village of Hranitne.^[382][383] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[383]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions on Ukrainian positions. For the first time within last few days the “silent mode” at Lugansk Oblast was broken when separatist snipers fired at Ukrainian troops near Novotoshkivka, which was also the target of grenade launchers during the evening. Most incidents took place west of Donetsk city, where rebel forces attacked the Ukrainian garrisons at Maryinka, Pisky, Opytne, Butivka mining complex and Avdiivka with small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and different types of grenade-launcher systems. Ukrainian outposts at Novhorodske and Luhanske, in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, were slammed by small arms and sniper fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Novhorodske was also the target of mortar volleys.^[384][385]

27 February

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 35 occasions on Ukrainian troops during 26 February, including from 82 and 120 mm mortars near Zaitseve.^{[386][387][388]} One occasion of ceasefire violation was recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[389] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[389]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 19 occasions on Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian military reported hostile snipers at Maryinka and Pisky, while mortar volleys landed in nearby Opytne, west of Donetsk city. Mortar fire also hit the village of Chermalik, north of Mariupol. Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, were harassed by rebel snipers.^{[390][391][392]}

28 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces from 18:00 pm 27 February till midnight on 40 occasions.^{[393][394][395]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[396]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 28 occasions on Ukrainian positions. In the area west of Donetsk city, separatist forces from Staromyhailivka fired antiaircraft cannons at Ukrainian redoubts around Krasnohorivka. Ukrainian troops at Pisky and Opytne were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Maryinka. The rebels fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages on Talakivka, Hnutove and Vodyane, in the region of Mariupol. Sniper activity was also reported at Vodyane. In the northern front, Luhansk Oblast, pro-Russian forces used small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers against Ukrainian defenses at Zolote and Kalynove.^[397][398]

29 February

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that their positions were fired at by pro-Russian forces on 71 occasions over the past 24 hours.^{[399][400][401]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during past 24 hours.^{[402][403][404]} According to Lysenko a Ukrainian army truck hit a fougasse in Donetsk region on 25 February, as a result one serviceman was killed and another taken prisoner.^[403][405] The civilian and military governor of Luhansk Oblast, Georgiy Tuka, claimed that the separatists had in mind the capture of Molodezhne, in the buffer zone near the town of Popasna, to counter the establishment of a Ukrainian checkpoint at Zolote.^[406] Military analyst Dmitro Tymchuk reported that military commanders of the Republic of Donetsk were building a naval force at the Sea of Azov, based on the rebel-held ports of Sjedove, Novoazovsk and Bezimenne.^[407]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire 26 times throughout the day, 16 of them around Donetsk city and Horlivka and 10 times in the region of Mariupol. In the surroundings of Donetsk, separatist troops fired mortar barrages on Pisky and Krasnohorivka. Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka were also the target of antiaircraft cannons firing from rebel-held Staromyhailivka. The Ukrainian garrisons at Pisky, Opytne and Troitske were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Intense automatic fire was reported at Maryinka. Around Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Novhorodske and Luhanske received small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. The separatists sprayed harassing fire on Ukrainian positions at Vodyane, in the region of Mariupol. Ukrainian troops returned fire with light weapons.^[408][409]

March

1 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian troops during the last day of February.^{[410][411][412]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[413] According to Motuzyanyk no ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[413]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 29 occasions on Ukrainian positions. The rebels carried out 16 attacks around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 11 in the region of Mariupol and two in the northern front, Luhansk Oblast. In the outskirts of the capital of Donetsk Oblast, the separatists fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian-controlled settlements of Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky and Troitske. Ukrainian redoubts around Maryinka were the target of grenade launchers, while the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka was shelled with 82 mm mortars. Mortar rounds were also fired on the villages of Hnutove, Talakivka, Shyrokyne and Chermalik, in the region of Mariupol. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rebel forces attacked Ukrainian troops at Maiorsk, Zaitseve, Novhorodske and Luhanske with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Snipers also harassed Ukrainian outposts at Zaitseve and Maiorsk. In the northern front, near Popasna, pro-Russian forces shelled Ukrainian positions at Bohuslavske and Novozvanivka with grenade launchers.^[414][415] According to Georgiy Tuka three Ukrainan soldiers were killed and another two injured when a truck carrying military of the 80th brigade was blown up on the highway between the villages of Novotoshkivske and Hirne in Luhansk Oblast.^[416]

2 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 47 occasions on Ukrainian troops during the first day of March.^{[417][418][419]} In the northern front, a vehicle belonging to the Mixed Mobile Group, a militarized unit that patrols the demarcation line searching for smugglers, was hit by a rocket propelled grenade fired by pro-Russian forces across the Seversky Donets river while on the road between Lopaskine and Trokhizbenka.^[420] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and 14 wounded in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[421]

Pro-Russian forces broke the ceasefire 26 times throughout the day, 16 of them around Donetsk city and 10 times in the region of Mariupol. In the outskirts of Donetsk, the separatists shelled for the space of an hour "Zenith" outpost and Avdiivka with different grenade-launcher systems and mortars. Intense sniper fire was reported at Pisky. The rebels fired machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Opytne, Pisky and Butivka mining complex. Ukrainian positions around Maryinka were the target of small arms fire, antitank rockets and antiaircraft cannons. In the region of Mariupol, Berdyansk and Shyrokyne were pounded with 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages. Rebel troops attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, with machine guns and grenade launchers.^[422]

3 March

According to the Ukrainian military, the separatists broke the ceasefire on 62 occasions over the past 24 hours,^[423][424] including on 28 occasions in Mariupol direction,^[425] where pro-Russian BMP-2 armoured vehicles attacked Hranitne and Novotroitske.^[426] The violations involved the use of "Grad" multiple rocket launchers near Krasnohorivka, during the first hours of 3 March.^[427][428] At Novotroitske, Ukrainian forces returned fire on rebel positions at Dokuchajevsk from small arms, automatic grenade launchers and BMP-1 armoured vehicles.^[423] One Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded in action.^[429] Military analyst Dmitro Tymchuk claimed that separatist infantry attempted to break through the Ukrainian lines at Yasynuvata, north of Donetsk city, supported by tanks and heavy mortar barrages. The Ukrainian defenders hold their positions.^[430]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 25 occasions on Ukrainian positions, 20 around Donetsk city and Horlivka and other five at Mariupol region. The rebels opened up on redoubts at Krasnohorivka, Pisky, Opytne and Troitske with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Krasnohorivka was also the target of mortar volleys. Separatist troops targeted Starohnativka and Vodyane, north of Mariupol, and Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[431]

Two additional documents regarding the cleaning of minefields and the suspension of military training along the demarcation zone were signed at Minsk on 2 March.^[432] UN report on the situation in conflict zone put the casualty figures since the beginning of the conflict to more than 30,000 people, including at least 9,167 killed and 21,000 injured.^[433]

4 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 57 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 3 March – including on 46 occasions in Donetsk direction and on 11 occasions in Mariupol direction.^{[434][435][436]} Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action over the last 24 hours.^[437]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian positions, including 15 in the outskirts of Donetsk city and 3 in Mariupol direction. In the area of Donetsk city, mortar volleys were fired at Krasnohorivka, Opytne, Avdiivka and Butivka mining complex. Ukrainian redoubts at Opytne and Krasnohorivka were also raked with antiaircraft cannon's fire. Rebel snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Pisky and Opytne, while small arms, machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Maryinka, Avdiivka and Pisky. In the region of Mariupol, mortar barrages landed twice in Shyrokyne, which was also the target of small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Sniper activity was reported in the area.^[438]

A four-hour meeting between Normandy format foreign ministers that took place in Paris gave no tangible results.^[439]

5 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions over the past 24 hours.^{[440][441][442]} Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed in action and five wounded over the past 24 hours. The servicemen died in the course of clashes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian scouts in the region of Mariupol. The Ukrainian military claimed that up to 30 rebels were killed.^{[443][444][445]}

Throughout the day, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 26 occasions on Ukrainian positions, 17 in areas around Donetsk city and Horlivka, seven in the region of Mariupol, and three in Luhansk Oblast, in the northern section of the demarcation line. West of Donetsk city, 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Avdiivka, which was also bombarded by heavy artillery. Separatists troops pounded Ukrainian outposts at Troitske with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades, and Opytne was shelled from armoured fighting vehicles. Sniper activity was reported at Pisky and Maryinka, where the situation forced the authorities to shut down the demarcation line checkpoint for several hours. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka, where rebel snipers were also reported. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Ukrainian positions around Zaitseve received 82 mm mortar rounds, while Novhorodske and Luhanske were fired at by heavy machine guns and grenade launchers.^[446][447]

6 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 5 March – including on 37 occasions in Donetsk, on 10 occasions in Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk direction.^{[448][449][450]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[451][452] The casualties occurred near Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast, when 120 mm mortar rounds hit a Ukrainian outpost.^[452]

In the course of the morning, pro-Russian forces stormed Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka, supported by 122 mm artillery. The assault was beaten off.^[453] By evening, the separatists had opened fire on Ukrainian troops seven times, all of them around Donetsk city. Besides the breakthrough attempt on Avdiivka, The militias fired 82 mm mortars at the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, automatic grenade launchers at Nevelske and small arms at "Zenith" outpost and Butivka mining complex.^[454] A pro-Russian drone was reported over Stanytsia Luhanska.^[455]

7 March

According to the Ukrainian military, the separatists broke the ceasefire on 38 occasions over the past 24 hours.^{[456][457][458][459]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[460] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[460]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 25 occasions on Ukrainian positions, 22 in areas around Donetsk city and Horlivka and three in the region of Mariupol. The Ukrainian military reported that their troops repelled a rebel assault on the stronghold of Avdiivka, supported by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys.^[461] Pro-Russian tanks attacked later in the evening, firing six shots on the Ukrainian entrenchments.^[462] Two civilian residences were damaged. Nearby Krasnohorivka, Troitske, Pisky and Butivka mining complex were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka and Pisky were also harassed by hostile snipers. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian forces pounded Ukrainian redoubts at Mironivskyi, Luhanske and Maiorsk with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The same type of weapons were used against the Ukrainian garrison at Hranitne, north of Mariupol.^[461]

8 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 7 March – including on 41 incidents in Donetsk (1 skirmish) and on 13 in the region of Mariupol.^{[462][463][464][465][466]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[467] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[467]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 15 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Most of the attacks occurred in Avdiivka, which was shelled seven times from 82 mm mortars. The separatists also poured banned 120 mm mortar rounds and small arms fire on nearby Opytne. Small arms fire was also reported at Pisky. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Maryinka. Luhanske, north of Horlivka, was the target of 82 mm mortar volleys. The rebels also fired grenade launchers at Ukrainian outposts at Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[468]

9 March

The Ukrainian military reported that the militias had opened fire on 43 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 8 March – including on 37 occasions in the region of Donetsk city and on 5 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[469][470][471][472]} Pro-Russian reconnaissance troops were repelled near Avdiivka,^[473] while hostile armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske.^[469] The State Border Service informed that in Luhansk Oblast, a checkpoint on the demarcation line at Zolote was attacked from mortars.^[474] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. In the northern front, rebel scouts attempted to seize a Ukrainian observation post on the road between the villages of Trokhizbenka and Krasnyi Lyman, Luhansk Oblast, but were driven off towards the Seversky Donets river after a 30 minute long engagement.^[475]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on Ukrainian positions, 19 of them around Donetsk city and Horlivka and three in the region of Mariupol.^[476][477]

Russia held combat readiness exercises involving 8,500 troops, with dozens of ships and aircraft, in a southern region near areas of eastern Ukraine held by pro-Russian rebels.^[478]

10 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 9 March, including on 42 occasions in the region of Donetsk city. Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, was shelled from banned weapons, such as 122 mm artillery and 120 mm mortars, while pro-Russian fighting armoured vehicles in the area of Horlivka attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Luhanske and Novhorodske.^{[479][480][481]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[482] The casualties occurred near Avdiivka where the battle lasted for 11 hours.^[483] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[482]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian positions – 13 in areas around Donetsk city and 5 in the region of Mariupol. The incidents included a raid by a party of rebel scouts on Ukrainian redoubts around Avdiivka. The separatist used small arms and automatic grenade launchers, but withdrew when Ukrainian troops fired back.^[484][485]

According to president Obama "Ukraine is a core Russian interest but not an American one, so Russia will always be able to maintain escalatory dominance there."^[486]

11 March

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 47 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 10 March. Pro-Russian tanks attacked the stronghold of Avdiivka, which was again the focus of separatist actions. Mortar barrages also landed six times around the Ukrainian redoubts. In the Mariupol region, the separatist shelled Shyrokyne with 120 mm banned mortars.^{[487][488][489][490]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[491]

Separatist forces had broken the ceasefire on 31 occasions throughout the day. Most incidents took place around Donetsk city, where pro-Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles continued their attacks on the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka. The town, along with nearby Pisky, was also the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Sniper activity was reported at Butivka mining complex and Pisky. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian troops harassed Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodyne with small arsm and automatic grenade launchers. In the area between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the separatist fired from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers on Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve and Novhorodske.^{[492][493][494]}

12 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 75 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 11 March – including on 59 occasions in Donetsk, on 15 occasions in Mariupol, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk Oblast.^{[495][496][497][498]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and one wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^{[499][500][501]} Ukrainian troops violated the ceasefire 75 times, according to separatists officials. Yasinuvata, north of Donetsk city, continued to be the main target of the Ukrainian efforts, The stronghold was shelled from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, tanks and 152 mm howitzers. Elsewhere, the Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles. Most of the attacks occurred at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Yasinuvata, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Mineralne, Zhdanove, Donetsk airport and Volvo center.^[502]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 40 occasions – including 34 occasions around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 5 occasions in Mariupol, and 1 occasion in Luhansk Oblast, in the northern section of the demarcation line. The separatists kept their pressure on the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, west of Donetsk airport, where pro-Russian tanks continued their attacks on Ukrainian defences supported by rocket propelled grenades, mortars and 122 mm artillery. In other areas around Donetsk city, rebel troops fired small arms and mortar at Ukrainian troops in Pisky and Troitske. Ukrainian forces at Maryinka were fired at from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, mortar rounds landed in Hnutove, while Vodyane was the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. The militias fired on Zaitseve and Maorsk with small arms, grenade launchers and mortars. Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske and Novoselivka were shelled with grenade launchers and mortars.^[503][504]

13 March

The Ukrainian military recorded 71 attacks on their troops over the past 24 hours – including on 62 occasions in Donetsk, on 8 occasions in Mariupol, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk Oblast. Pro-Russian tanks shelled Avdiivka, which was also the target of mortars and 122 mm guns. Nearby Krasnohorivka was also the target of 122 mm artillery rounds, while Luhanske, north of Horlivka, was attacked three times by armoured fighting vehicles.^{[505][506][507][508]} Seven Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.^[509][510] Separatists authorities said that the Ukrainian military committed 57 ceasefire violatons. Ukrainian forces keep their pressure on the rebel stronghold of Yasinuvata, north of Donetsk city, which was attacked with tanks, antitank guided missiles, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.Elsewhere, Ukrainian troops fired small arms and different types of grenade-launcher systems. The main incidents happened at Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Yakovlivka, Staromykhailivka, Spartak, Nova Tavria, Kominternove, Sosnovske, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district.^[511]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian positions – including on 18 occasions around Donetsk city and Horlivka. The rebels bombarded Avdiivka with several types of weapons, including those banned by the Minsk agreement. The Ukrainian defences were hit by 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery. Mortar rounds also landed in Butivka mining complex, near Opytne. Ukrainian troops at Troitske and Pisky were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, the Ukrainian garrison at Starohnativka was harassed with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Separatist forces used the same kind of weapons against Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk, Zaitseve and Novhorodske, around the town of Horlivka.^[512][513]

14 March

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 13 March – including on 38 occasions in Donetsk, on 5 occasions in Mariupol, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk sector.^{[514][515][516]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[517][518] The separatists reported 67 Ukrainian violations of the truce. The Ukrainian army pounded rebel positions at Zaitseve, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Zhabunki, Dokuchaievsk, Vesele, Gagarin coal mine, Kominternove, Oleksandrivka, Yasinuvata, Staromykhailivka, Lozove, Sakhanka, Bezimene, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Nikolaevka, Donetsk airport, Volvo center and the districts of Petrovsky and Kuybishev, in Donetsk city. Ukrainian tanks attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Yasinuvata, while Lozove, Nikolaevka and Staromyhailivka were shelled with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian forces also used small arms, grenade launchers and armoured fighting vehicles.^[519]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 15 occasions on Ukrainian positions – 12 of them around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 2 in the region of Mariupol, and 1 in Luhansk Oblast. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the Ukrainian stronghold of Zaitseve was hit by heavy machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and three mortar barrages. The rebels also fired small arms, heavy machine guns and several types of grenade launchers at Ukrainian defences near Maiorsk. The same kind of weapons were used by the militias to harass Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske, in the region of Mariupol. West of Donetsk city, the separatists attacked Ukrainian outposts at Krasnohorivka and Butivka mining complex with small arms and grenade launchers. Small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades were reported at Maryinka and Pisky. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novotoshkivka, Luhansk Oblast, was fired at from small arms, heavy machine guns and several types of grenade launcher systems.^[520][521]

15 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 14 March – including on 29 occasions in Donetsk direction, on 12 occasions in Mariupol direction, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk Oblast. The Ukrainian army returned fired with light weapons.^{[522][523][524]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[525] Separatist officials recorded 56 violations of the ceasefire by Ukrainian troops. The main incidents took place at Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Kashtanove, Krutaya Balka, Staromykhailivka, Spartak, Abakumove coal mine, Kominternove, Donetsk airport, Volvo center and Petrovsky district. Heavy shelling involving 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys was reported at Zaitseve, while Ukrainian tanks attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Staromyhailivka. The Ukrainian army also employed small arms, rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles. Two rebel soldiers were killed in action.^[526]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Despite a local ceasefire, rebel troops fired four 82 mm mortar rounds on Ukrainian defences at Avdiivka at dawn. Opytne and Butivka mining complex were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and different types of grenade-launcher systems. In the region of Mariupol, thirty-six 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Novotroitske, while Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne were fired at from small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Ukrainian outposts at Novhorodske, west of Horlivka, were pounded with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, antitank missiles landed on Ukrainian entrenchments near Popasna, Luhansk Oblast.^[527]

16 March

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on several occasions on Ukrainian troops on 15 March – including from 120 and 82 mm mortars. No ceasefire violations were recorded during the first six hours of 16 March.^{[528][529][530]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[531] Two skirmishes between the warring parties took place near the settlement of Novotroitske, north of Mariupol.^[531] The minister of defense of the Donets People's Republic reported that Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 38 occasions. The Ukrainian army attacked pro-Russian positions at Krutaya Balka, Mineralne, Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Staromykhailivka, Spartak, Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk airport, Volvo center and Petrovsky district.^[532]

By evening, rebel troops had opened fire on 24 occasions on Ukrainian positions. West of Donetsk city, the separatists continued their pressure on Avdiivka, where pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at dawn. Troitske was the target of 82 mm mortars and antitank guided missiles, while hostile snipers operated at Avdiivka, Nevelske and Krasnohorivka. North of Horlivka, the Ukrainian stronghold of Zaitseve was fired at from several types of weapons, like small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and banned 120 mm mortars.^[533][534] A Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in the course of the shelling.^[535] In nearby Luhanske, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened up on Ukrainian defences, supported by heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. East of Mariupol, rebel forces fired small arms, 120 mm mortars and antitank missiles on Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the militias harassed Ukrainian forces at Popasna with automatic gunfire.^[533][534]

17 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 16 March  – including on 39 occasions in Donetsk, on 11 occasions in Mariupol, and on 2 occasions in Luhansk sector.^{[536][537][538]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and other two wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[539][540] Separatists authorities said that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 43 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and tanks to attack pro-Russian positions at Trudovske, Volvo center, Donetsk airport, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Sakhanka, Vesele, Zhdanove, Kashtanove, Yasinovataya and Zaitseve.^[541]

Throughout the day, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions. The Ukrainian stronghold of Novotroitske, north of Mariupol, was attacked by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles supported by small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Shyrokyne, in the same area, was the target of heavy 120 mm mortar barrages. A local ceasefire was observed around Avdiivka; rebel troops, however, launched antitank rockets on nearby "Zenith" outpost. Also around Donetsk city, hostile sniper activity was reported at Maryinka and Opytne. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, rocket propelled grenades landed in Maiorsk and Luhanske.^[542][543]

18 March

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 16 March  – including on 27 occasions in Donetsk direction and on 15 occasions in Mariupol direction.^{[544][545][546]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and other three wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[547] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[547] According to the defence spokesman of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic Basurin three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and several others injured after their vehicle hit a landmine near Volnovakha.^[548] The same source reported 51 Ukrainian violations of the truce. The attacks on pro-Russian positions involved small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The main targets were Trudovske, Donetsk airport, Spartak, Sakhanka, Vesele, Kominternove, Zhabunki, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Staromykhailivka and Zaitseve.^[549]

Separatist forces had broken the ceasefire on 18 occasions throughout the day,^[550] including on 12 occasions in Donetsk surroundings and Horlivka and on 6 occasions in the region of Mariupol. Around Donetsk city, the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka was shelled with 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Maryinka were harassed with small arms fire, while the Ukrainian defences at Avdiivka were pounded with small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. In the region of Horlivka, separatist troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Maiorsk. Zaitseve was hit by 120 mm mortar rounds, and heavy machine gun fire was reported at Leninske. North of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Novotroitske received small arms fire.^[551]

19 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 18 March  – including on 36 occasions in Donetsk direction, on 15 occasions in Mariupol direction, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk direction.^{[552][553][554]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[555] One Ukrainian soldier died of wounds in a hospital of New Haven, Connecticut, United States, where he had been treated from critical injuries suffered in the Donbass war in 2014.^[556][557] Pro-Russian officials reported 33 Ukrainian attacks on rebel positions over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian military opened up from small arms, grenade launchers, antiaircraft cannons, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The main incidents took place at Trudovske, Donetsk airport, Spartak, Sakhanka, Vesele, Kominternove, Zhabunki, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Staromykhailivka and Zaitseve.^[558]

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the evening that since the midnight pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on eleven occasions, six of which were shootings at random. There was a drop in the military activity, attributed to the presence in the area of a special mission of the OSCE led by Alexander Hug. Pro-Russian forces, however, launched three attacks with small arms and antiaircraft cannons on Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk and Mironivskiy, in the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk. Novhorodske, in the same area, was the target of 82 mm mortar rounds. The rebels fired heavy machine guns and heavy grenade launchers on Maiorsk and Novhorodske. In the outskirts of Donetsk, 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Avdiivka.^{[559][560][561]}

20 March

The Ukrainian military reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 32 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 19 March  – including on 31 occasions in Donetsk direction. No ceasefire violations were recorded in Mariupol sector and no ceasefire violations were recorded during the first 6 hours of 20 March.^{[562][563][564][565]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[566][567] Rebel sources recorded 43 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. The Ukrainian army fired small arms, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars on pro-Russian redoubts at Zaitseve, Spartak, Vesele, Kominternove, Trudovske and Donetsk airport.^[568]

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters informed in the evening of the significant decrease in the number of attacks by pro-Russian troops during the day. In the afternoon a single shot from a 152 mm gun was made in direction of Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka.^[569][570] In the area of Avdiivka a Ukrainian army truck was hit by an anti-tank guided missile, as a result two Ukrainian servicemen were killed.^[557][571]

21 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 32 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 20 March  – including 28 occasions in Donetsk city and Horlivka, 2 occasions in the area of Mariupol, and on 1 occasion in Luhansk Oblast. Pro-Russian tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, supported by antiaircraft cannons and grenade launchers, attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka. Snipers were also active in the area. Opytne, also in the western outskirts of Donetsk city, was the target of rocket propelled grenades, while Ukrainian forces at Pisky and Maryinka were harassed with small arms fire. Armoured vehicles also fired at Ukrainian positions in Svetlodarsk, north of Horlivka. The village was also pounded by heavy machine gun fire, antitank rockets and 82 mm mortar rounds. Sniper activity was also reported at Zaitseve and Leninske.^{[572][573][574]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and two others wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[557] Pro-Russian authorities aid that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire 34 times over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian military fired small arms, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages on rebel positions at Zaitseve, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Zhabunki, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Yasinuvata, Staromykhailivka, Lozovo, Sakhanka, Donetsk airport, Volvo center and Petrovsky district.^[575]

Rebel troops launched 11 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. The village of Novotroitske, north of Mariupol, was the main target of the separatists. Ukrainian positions there were pounded with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. At dawn, rebel scouts attempted an assault on Ukrainian defences there using small arms and automatic grenade launchers, but were repelled by Ukrainian troops. The Ukrainian garrison at Avdiivka was harassed with heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Hostile snipers were reported at Krasnohorivka, Opytne and Nevelske. Ukrainian troops at Leninske, north of Horlivka, also received sniper fire. Rebel infantry fired small arms on Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.^[576]

In a briefing that was broadcast by 112 Ukraine TV channel on Monday, 21 March, Ukraine’s Chief Military Prosecutor Anatolii Matios said that due to crimes against Ukraine’s national security 2,055 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and 7,299 wounded.^[577] Russia sent the 50th humanitarian convoy into the terrirory of the rebel republics since August 2014.^[578]

22 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that the pro-Russian forces had opened fire on 27 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 21 March  – including 21 occasions around Donetsk city and Horlivka and 6 occasions in Mariupol's region. The rebels used small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Around Donetsk city, there were incidents at Avdiivka, "Zenith" observation post and Marynka. Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Luhanske, in the outskirts of Horlivka, were also the targe of hostile fire.^{[579][580][581]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[582] 9 Separatists sources recorded 29 attacks on rebel positions at Zaitseve, Bezimenne, Spartak, Kominternove, Donetsk airport, Volvo center, Yasinuvata and Petrovsky district.^[583]

Throughout the day, by 18:00 pm, Ukrainian positions had been shot at on 8 occasions, all of them around Donetsk city and Horlivka. Ukrainian posts at Maiorsk were the target of small arms and heavy machine guns, while small arms fire was reported at Zaitseve. West of Donetsk city, the separatists opened up on Ukrainian redoubts at Troitske, Avdiivka and Pisky with small arms and grenade launchers.^[584]

According to UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović 30,346 people have been killed and injured in Donbas conflict in eastern Ukraine.^{[585][586][587]}

23 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 22 March. A pro-Russian tank fired 12 shots at Ukrainian redoubts in Avdiivka, which was also the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages and four 122 mm artillery rounds. The nearby villages of Opytne and Pisky, west of Donetsk city, where also shelled from 82 mm mortars. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, the militias opened up from hevy machine guns and rocket launchers on Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve, Verkhnotoretske, Novhorodske, Luhanske and Maiorsk. Ukrainian forces at Pavlopil, north of Mariupol, was shelled from 82 mm mortars.^{[588][589][590]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and ten others were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^{[591][592][593][594]} No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[591] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 48 occasions with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The Ukrainian army pounded pro-Russian positions at Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Zabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Vesele, Staromarivka, Kominternove, Volvo center, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district.^[595]

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the evening that since the midnight pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions, including on 11 occasions around Donetsk city and Horlivka. In the outskirts of Donetsk, the separatists shelled Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka with rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. around Horlivka, hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, while heavy machine gun fire was reported at Maiorsk. In the region of Mariupol, Novotroitske was fired at from different grenade-launchers systems and banned 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne were attacked with small arms. The Ukrainian army returned fire on several occasions.^[596][597]

24 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that the militias had opened fire on 53 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 23 March – including on 48 occasions in Donetsk direction.^{[598][599][600]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours. The casualties occurred in Avdiivka. Two Ukrainian servicemen were injured by explosion of a booby trap in Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk Oblast,^[601] where no ceasefire violations were recorded.^[601] Pro-Russian officials recorded 46 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm guns. The Ukrainians fired on rebel positions at Spartak, Yasinuvata, Makiivka, Dokuchaievsk, Zhavunki, Sakhanka, Staromyhailivka, Vesele, Kominternove, Volvo center, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district.^[602]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 18 occasions, 12 in the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka and 6 in the region of Mariupol. Pro-Russian forces continued their pressure on Avdiivka, where Ukrainian redoubts were the target of small arms, grenade launchers and mortars. Small arms and rocket propelled grenades were also fired at Opytne and Butivka mining complex. The militias used small arms and different grenade-launcher systems to attack the Ukrainian garrison at Maryinka. Around Horlivka, 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Luhanske, while small arms and grenade launchers were fired at Ukrainian outposts near Zaitseve and Maiorsk.^[603][604]

25 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 25 March – including on 38 occasions in Donetsk direction and on 14 occasions in the areas close to Mariupol.^{[605][606][607]} Six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the Donbass over the past 24 hours, five of them in Avdiivka and the sixth another in Novotroitske.^[608][609] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[609] Eduard Basurin, deputy minister of defense of the Donetsk People's Republic, reported 21 attacks on pro-Russian entrenchments over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian army opened up with small arms, rocket propelled grenades, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm guns and 155 mm howitzers. The main incidents occurred at Spartak, Yasinuvata, Makiivka, Dokuchaievsk, Staromyhailivka, Vesele, Kominternove, Volvo center, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district.^[610]

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the evening that since the midnight pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 16 occasions. Most of the incidents took place around Donetsk city, where the separatists attacked Ukrainian positions at Avdiivka, Pisky, Troitske and Opytne with small arms, grenade launchers, mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The village of Luhanske, north of Horlivka, was the target of the same kind of weapons. Ukrainian forces fired back on two occasions. Rocket propelled grenades landed around Ukrainian troops at Maryinka, which were also the target of sniper fire.^[611][612]

26 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours,^{[613][614][615]} including on 31 occasions in Donetsk direction.^[616] Ukrainian forces returned fire six times over the same period.^[614] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in action in the Donbass region on 25 March.^[616][617] Three Ukrainian servicemen were injured by explosion of explosive devices.^[616] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[616] Pro-Russian sources reported 20 ceasefire violations by Ukrainian forces. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main incidents took place at Sakhanka, Zaitseve, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Yasinuvata, Vesele, Donetsk airport, Volvo center and Petrovsky district in Donetsk city.^[618]

At about 05:30 am in the morning a residential house in Zaitseve, 23 km north of Donetsk city, was hit in a shelling, an elderly female civilian was injured.^[616][619]

Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 16 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day, including an attempt by rebel scouts to storm Ukrainian redoubts along the Seversky Donets River at Nizhneteple, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front.^{[620][621][622]}

According to the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov "There are no Russian troops in the Moscow-leaning Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, and there have never been, but there are Russian citizens who stand by local residents".^[623][624]

27 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 26 March,^{[625][626][627]} including on 43 occasions in Donetsk direction.^[628] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[628] Separatists authorities recorded 23 attacks on pro-Russian positions over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian military made use of small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian targeted Zaitseve, Kominternove, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Yasinuvata, Vesele, Donetsk airport and Volvo center.^[629]

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the evening that since the midnight pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 18 occasions. Avdiivka, where the Ukrainian defenders beat off an assault by rebel scouts, was the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars. In the region of Mariupol, antitank guided missiles and 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Novotroitske, while Ukrainian troops at Taramchuk and Shyrokine were harassed with small arms fire.^[630] Militants attacked Ukrainian outposts near Dokuchaievsk town in Donetsk region, the 72nd Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported at Facebook.^[631]

28 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours.^{[632][633][634]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and seven others wounded in action in the Donbass region during the past 24 hours.^[635] According to separatist sources, the Ukrainian military broke the truce on 27 occasions. Ukrainian troops used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were the pro-Russian strongholds of Zaitseve, Spartak, Dokuchaivsk, Sakhanka, Yasinuvata and Donetsk airport.^[636]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka remained the main target of the separatist troops, which fired upon the town with small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Hostile snipers were active in the industrial area of the town. In the area around Donetsk city, the rebels also targeted the Ukrainian strongholds of Nevelske, Butivka mining complex and Troitske. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, Zaitseve was shelled with 120 mm mortars. Luhanske, Maiorsk and Novhorodske were also the target of different types of weapons.^[637]

29 March

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian troops on Monday, 28 March,^{[638][639][640]} including more than 60 attacks around Donetsk city and Horlivka.^[641] As a result, six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[641] One Ukrainian serviceman died in a road accident.^[641] Pro-Russian authorities denounced 39 violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian army. Ukrainian troops used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm howitzers. Most incidents took place at Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district.^[642]

Pro-Russian troops launched 33 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day,^[643] including on 9 occasions near Avdiivka,^[644] and on 7 occasions in Luhansk Oblast, where at least one civilian was wounded.^[645] Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, was the epicenter of rebel activity.^[646] Separatist troops shelled the Ukrainian stronghold with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.^[646] Ukrainian troops at Luhanske, Novhorodske and Maiorsk, in the same area, were also the target of enemy fire. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka was struck by small arms fire, machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and mortars. Small arms fire was reported at Opytne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian troops at Schastya were harassed by pro-Russian snipers, while heavy machine gun fire raked Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka. East of Mariupol, Ukrainian outposts at Shyrokine received heavy automatic fire.^[643][647]

30 March

In the morning it was reported by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours, using banned weapons along the entire demarcation line.^[648][649] Ukrainian troops returned fire on 20 occasions.^{[648][650][651]} Four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.^[652] Separatist authorities recorded 43 violations of the truce over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm artillery and 152 mm howitzers. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Spartak, Vesele, ZhabunkiI, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Donetsk airport and Petrovsky district. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded.^[653]

Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 25 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. The rebels continued their pressure on Avdiivka, which received 122 mm artillery fire. They also planted new minefields near the Ukrainian stronghold. Nearby Opytne was also shelled. In the region between Horlivka and Svetlodarsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Luhanske, supported by heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Leninske was also the target of rebel attacks. North of Mariupol, separatist forces harassed Ukrainian redoubts at Maryinka, Hranitne and Vodyane with small arms, sniper fire and rocket launchers. The same type of weaponry was used against Trokhizbenka, in the northern front.^{[654][655][656]}

The West must not forget about Ukraine. The world must continue providing civil and military support to Ukraine, said Former Prime Minister of Australia Tony Abbott in an interview with Ukrinform.^[657]

31 March

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian troops over the past 24 hours,^{[658][659][660]} including on 32 occasions in Donetsk direction.^[661] One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action on 30 March.^[662] According to separatist reports, the Ukrainians broke the ceasefire on 28 occasions. The Ukrainian military used heavy machine guns, mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Spartak, Zhabunki, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Yasinuvata, Staromykhailivka, Petrovsky district, Donetsk airport and Volvo center. Four pro-Russian soldiers were killed and five wounded.^[653]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 37 occasions. The militias concentrated their activity on Zaitseve and Maiorsk, in the region of Horlivka, were heavy shelling was reported. The separatist fired more than 300 rounds of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm guns and 152 mm howitzers. Intense shelling was also reported in the industrial area of Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city. Civilian residences and vehicles were badly hit. North of Mariupol, mortar rounds landed around Ukrainian redoubts at Talakivka and Vodyane.^{[663][664][665]}

References

External links

• INFORMATION ANALYSES CENTER of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, provides daily updates, maps, etc., on the current situation (in Ukrainian, Russian, and English)
• OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Daily and spot reports from the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine
• NewsNow, NewsNow: Ukraine news | Breaking News & Search 24/7