Timeline of the war in Donbass (July–September 2016)

This is a timeline of the War in Donbass, from 1 July to 30 September 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.

July

1 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 58 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 30 June.^[2][3][4] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed in action and four others were wounded in the Donbass region during the last day of June.^[5][6][7] Around Donetsk city, rebel troops opened fire on Ukrainian outposts around Toretske, Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Avdiivka. North of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces were shelled near Novotroitsk.^[8] Separatist sources said that two of their soldiers and three civilians were killed over the past week.^[9] The same sources claimed that the Ukrainian military fired heavy weapons 14 times throughout the day. The main targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve, Zhabicheve, Vasilivka, Spartak, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[10]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 15 occasions. Eleven incidents occurred around the town of Horlivka and in the outskirts of Donetsk city, where banned 122 mm self-propelled artillery was fired by rebel forces. The strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske were struck by 82 mm mortar fire. The separatists fired small arms, sniper rifles, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades at Ukrainian redoubts in Zaitseve, Maiorsk and Novhorodske. Heavy shelling was reported at Shyrokyne, Starohnativka and Novotroitske, in the region of Mariupol.^[11][12]

2 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions on the first day of July,^[13][14][15] including on one occasion in Luhansk Oblast.^[16] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours.^[16] Separatist sources said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on their positions 521 times on the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Vasilivka, Novhorodske, Ozeryanivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novomariivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[17]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 23 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day; no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast. West of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka and Maryinka were pounded by 120 mm mortar barrages. Ukrainian positions around Avdiivka were fired at from rocket launchers. In the region of Horlivka, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Luhanske, while Maiorsk was the target of rocket propelled grenades. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske and Novoselivka. In the area of Mariupol, rebel troops fired 120 mm mortars at Ukrainian outposts in Novotroitske and Berezove. Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske were also harassed by sniper fire. Shyrokyne and Starohnativka were struck by 82 mm mortar rounds.^[18][19]

3 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 69 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 2 July.^[20][21][22] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[23] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[23] Pro-Russian officials reported 425 attacks on their forces over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The targets were rebel positions at Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Oleksandrivka, Staromyhailivka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[24] The same sources claimed that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 19 occasions on pro-Russian redoubts at Luhansk Oblast.^[25]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the separatists shelled Nevelske with 120 mm mortars, while Maryinka was the target of 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka received sniper fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Horlivka, 120 mm mortar barrages struck Novhorodske and Maiorsk. Around Mariupol, 122 mm self-propelled artillery was used to shell Lebedynske and Talakivka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces fired at Ukrainian troops in Novotoshkivka and Novooleksandrivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers.^[26]

4 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^[27][28][29] At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours.^[30][31] Pro-Russian authorities denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 345 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian army attacked rebel outposts at Vasilivka, Zaitseve, Dokuchaievsk, Holmivskiy, Vesele, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Kominternove, Mineralne, Sakhanka, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[32]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. In the region of Horliva, the stronghold of Zaitseve was struck by small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar volleys. The rebels also used 120 mm to shell Ukrainian positions around Novhorodske, Kirove, Toretske and Zalizne. Pro-Russian armoured fightign vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk, supported by 82 mm mortar barrages. West of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka was the target of 120 mm mortars and small arms fire was reported at Maryinka. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was shelled from 120 mm mortars, while Pavlopil became the target of rocket launchers. In the northern front, the separatist used again 120 mm mortarfire to hit Ukrainian positions, this time near Novozvanivka.^[33]

5 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 63 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day.^[34][35][36] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and thirteen wounded in action in the Donbass region.^[37][38] Separatist officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 438 occasions over the last 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were pro-Russian redoubts at Mykhailivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Vasilivka, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Donetsk airport and Kuibyshev, Kirov, and Petrovsky districts. Two soldiers and two civilians from Kuibyshev were wounded by Ukrainian shelling.^[39] According to the Russian government owned news agency TASS two civilians were injured in the area controlled by the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic during the same period of time; no casualties were reported in the area controlled by the so-called Lugansk People’s Republic.^[40]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm 26 attacks on their positions had taken place. Around Donetsk city, Pro-Russian forces opened fire with 82 mm mortars on Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and with heavy machine guns, rocket launchers at Pisky. Krasnohorivka, Butivka mining complex and Maryinka were the target of 120 mm mortar volleys, while Nevelske was shelled from 122 mm self-propelled artillery. In the region of Horlivka, rebel troops pounded Zaitseve with 120 mm mortar fire and Luhanske with heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Near Mariupol, 122 mm self-propelled artillery struck Ukrainian defences at Starohnativka, Hnutove and Talakivka. The stronghold of Shyrokyne received 120 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Berezove were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern front, hostile fire was reported at Novooleksandrivka.^[41][42][43]

6 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^[44][45][46] Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and ten others wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours.^[47] Separatist sources reported that the Ukrainian military opened fire on their positions on 402 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian weapons were aimed at Zaitseve, Spartak, Yasynuvata, Lebyazhe, Zhabicheve, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[48]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, 122 mm artillery rounds landed in Lebedynske, while Shyrokyne was the target of 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Starohnativka were harassed with small arms fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk, rebel forces fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Opytne, Verkhnyotoretske and Nevelske. Around Horlivka, the separatists pounded Ukrainian redoubts at Zaitseve and Maiorsk with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar fire respectively. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian troops executed harassing fire on Ukrainian troops at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka.^[49] Later in the evening, Ukrainian volunteers reported two soldiers killed and three wounded in Avdiivka as a result of heavy shelling.^[50]

7 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 57 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day.^[51][52][53] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in action in the Donbass region on 6 July.^[54]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 20 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Opytne, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in nearby Troitske. Avdiivka was the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Maryinks and Butivka mining complex were hit by rocket propelled grenades. North of Horlivka, rebel forces fired 120 mm mortars and antitank guided missiles on Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was shelled from 82 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Vodyane, Berezove and Bohdanivka were harassed with small arms fire.^[55]

United Nations’ Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović, who addressed the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, reported a figure of 31,350 casualties during the conflict, including some 9,500 people killed.^[56]

8 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^[57][58][59] At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in action in Donbass region on 7 July. Two Ukrainian soldiers were injured by explosive devices.^[60][61] Pro-Russian officials reported three soldiers and seven civilians killed as a result of the hostilities over the past week.^[62] Sources from Luhansk People's Republic recorded 20 Ukrainian violations of the truce. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian positions at Kalinove, Kaloinivka, Lopzove, Lohvynove and Sanzharivka.^[63]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 19 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. There were ten attacks around the cities of Donetsk and Horlivka, eight around Mariupol and one in the northern section of the demarcation line. In the surroundings of Donetsk, rebel forces shelled Troitske with 120 mm mortar barrages and fired antiaircraft artillery at Ukrainian positions in Opytne. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Maryinka, where hostile sniper activity was also reported, while Avdiivka and Pisky were the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Around the town of Horlivka, Maiorsk was struck by 120 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were targeted by small arms and rocket launchers. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novohryhorivka, while 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Starohnativka. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the separatists fired genade launchers at Ukrainian forces in Stanitsya Luhanska.^[64][65]

9 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 72 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day.^{[66][67][68][69]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 8 July.^[70][71] After midnight, at around 04:00 am Ukrainian positions at Troitske were heavily shelled.^[70] Separatist sources recorded 585 Ukrainian attacks on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The Ukrainian military opened fire on Mykhailivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Ozeryanivka, Zhabunki, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[72] Authorities from Luhansk People's Republic reported 118 Ukrainian violations of the truce over the past week,^[73] 22 of them on 8 July. According to the report, Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka and Lohvynove, in the latter case with the support of automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery from Mironovskiy. Lozove was the target of 120 mm mortar rounds and antitank guided missiles, while Kalinove was shelled by Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars from Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka. Ukrainian forces from Troikhizbenka fired small arms and automatic grenade launchers at rebel troops in Sokolniki.^[74]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 17 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. Rebel forces focused their activities on Luhanske, north of Horlivka, which was the target of 122 mm self-propelled guns and 120 mm mortars. Mortar volleys also landed in Novoselivka and Svetlodarsk, in the same area. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the rebels fired heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and Buyivka mining complex. In the region of Marupol, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske were under fire from rocket launchers, while Ukrainian positions at Novohryhorivka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Talkivka. In the northern sectoion of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Stanitsya Luhanska and Novooleksandrivka.^[75][76]

10 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^[77][78][79] Andriy Lysenko reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and sixteen wounded in action in Donbass region on 9 July.^[80][81] Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 566 occasions on their positions. The Ukrainian military targeted pro-Russian forces at Krutaya Balka, Holmivskiy, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Kominternove and the outskirts of Donetsk city. Four civilians were wounded at Zaitseve.^[82] In the territory controlled by the so-called Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on ten occasions using small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were the settlements of Kalinivka, Lohvynove, Lozove Pervomaisk and the surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska.^[83]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 41 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, heavy shelling was reported at Nikolaevka, where Ukrainian troops were pounded with 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire. Shyrokyne and Hnutove were struck by 82 mm mortar rounds. Small arms fire was reported at Berezove, Bohdanivka and Talakivka. Around Horlivka, 120 mm mortar barrages landed in Novhorodske and Maiorsk. The Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve and Artemove were the target of 82 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Luhanske received small arms fire. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Pisky was shelled from 120 mm mortars. Avdiivka, Marinka and Krasnohorivka were meanwhile hit by 82 mm mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Novooleksandrivka and Stanitsya Luhanska, in the northern front.^[84][85]

11 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 94 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day.^[86][87][88] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and ten others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 10 July.^[89][90] In addition, two Ukrainian servicemen received a contusion and one soldier was injured by explosion of an explosive device, Lysenko added.^[89][90][91] According to separatist officials, Ukrainian forces opened fire on 601 occasions on pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zheleznaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Spartak, Dokuchaievsk, Yasynuvata, Zaitseve, Myhailivka, Staromyhailivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Zaichenko, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[92] There were 27 Ukrainian army attacks on pro-Russian positions in the territory of Luhansk People's Republic using small arms, automatic grenade launchers, rocket launchers, recoilless antitank guns, antiaircraft artillery, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The main flashpoint was the village of Kalinove, shelled by Ukrainian tanks from Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka. The rebel strongholds of Sanzharivka, Lohvynove, Lozove, Kalinivka, Sokolniki and the southern surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska were also under fire.^[93]

The ATO HQ reported that in the night of 11 July an attempt to cross the demarcation line near Troitske was made by a group of reconnaissance of about 23 members; as a result three of the wounded fighters were captured by Ukrainian forces. One of the prisoners, a citizen of Omsk, died of wounds shortly after.^[94] Russia expressed its concern over participation of NATO-trained Ukrainian troops in the operation in Donbass.^[95] US Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry is due to visit Moscow this week to discuss Syria, Ukraine.^[96]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ said in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Heavy shelling was reported on Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line. Rebel forcess used 122 mm self-propelled guns and 120 mm mortars. The separatists also fired small arms and antitank rockets at Stanitsya Luhanska. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka was pounded by heavy machine gun fire, rocket proplelled grenades and 82 mm mortar barrages. Butivka mining complex was fired at from grenade launchers, and Maryinka from small arms. Hostile snipers and 82 mm mortars teams attacked Ukrainian forces at Krasnohorivka. In the area of Mariupol, 82 mm rounds landed in Slavne. Sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Novohryhorivka.^[97][98]

12 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[99][100][101]} At noon it was reported that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four wounded in action in Donbass region on 11 July.^[102] Pro-Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire 531 times in violation of the Minsk agreements. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were pro-Russian positions around Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasynuvata, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Oktyabr, Sosnovska, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[103] Ukrainian forces opened fire on 16 occasions on pro-Russian redoubts in the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army attacked Hurty, Kalinivka, Lozove, Molodezhne, Kalinove and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[104]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 22 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. In the region of Horlivka, the settlements of Semyhirya, Zaitseve and Novoselivka were the target of 120 mm mortar volleys, while Novhorodske, was shelled from 82 mm mortars. East of Mariupol, rocket propelled grenades landed in Shyrokyne, while Nikolaevka, in the north, was hit by 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian positions with the support of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Avdiivka was struck by 120 mm mortar fire, and Ukrainian troops at Troitske received heavy machine gun fire. Sniper activity was reported at Maryinka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel troops fired small arms at Stanitsya Luhanska and Krymske.^[105][106]

13 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 41 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day.^{[107][108][109]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 12 July.^[110][111] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 324 times on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two pro-Russian soldiers were reported killed in action and other two wounded.^[112] In Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military carried out six attacks on rebel troops. Around Stanitsya Luhanska, separatist positions were hit three times by small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske shelled pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinivka. Pervomaisk was the target of 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Popasna.^[113]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 28 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. The rebels shelled Ukrainian positions at Pisky and Opytne, west of Donetsk, with 122 mm self-propelled guns and 82 mm mortars. The nearby stronghold of Avdiivka was struck by 120 mm and 82 mm mortar barrages, and 82 mm mortar round also landed in Krasnohorivka ands Maryinka. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Bohdanivka, Starohnativka and Novohryhorivka, while Talakivka received 82 mm mortar fire. The separatist fired rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodyane and heavy machine guns at Hranitne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the Ukrainian stronghold of Stanitsya Luhanska was struck by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[114][115]

14 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 72 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 37 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[116][117][118]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in Donbass region on 13 July.^[119] In addition two Ukrainian servicemen were injured by explosions of explosive devices, Lysenko added.^[119] Pro-Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian forces launched 449 attacks on their positions. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Olenivka, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[120] Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces opened fired on 17 occasions within the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian army used small arms, automatic grenade launchers, rocket propelled grenades, antiaircraft cannons, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian redoubts at Lozove, Kalinove, Slavyanoserbsk, Holubovske, Zhelobok, Donetskiy, Molodezhne, Mariivka, Kalinove and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska.^[121]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 21 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, the defenders of Avdiivka were the target of heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Krasnohorivka was struck by 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The rebels fired 120 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled guns at Marinka. Butivka mining complex was shelled by armoured fighting vehicles. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles also attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka, supported by heavy machine gun fire. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Shyrokyne and Novotroitske, and small arms fire was reported at Hranitne. In the northern front, Ukrainian forces at Novooleksandrivka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire, and hostile snipers were active at Troitske.^[122]

A new UN report – that was prepared by the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and released on Thursday 14 July – estimates that between mid-April 2014 and 31 May 2016, at least 9,404 people, of which up to 2,000 are civilians, have been killed as a result of the conflict.^[123][124] By early June 2016, the number of non-combat fatalities among Ukrainian servicemen had reached 1,294.^[125]

15 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning 64 attacks on Ukrainian positions had taken place the previous day, including on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[126][127][128][129]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 12 July. Pro-Russian authorities reported two soldiers killed and two wounded throughout the week, while one civilian died and another eleven were injured during the same period.^[130] The Ukrainian army opened fire on 12 occasions on rebel positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles attacked pro-Russian redoubts near the Knyaz Igor memorial, in the surroundings of Stanitsya Luhanska, supported by machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Kalinove was also shelled by armoured vehicles, small arms and 82 mm mortars, while 73 mm recoilless guns were fired on Vesela Hora. Lohvynove was the target of 82 mm mortars, and rebel troops at Kalinivka were harassed with small arms fire.^[131]

The Ukrainian military reported that rebel forces had opened fire on Ukrainian troops on 26 occasions by evening. In the outskirts of Donetsk, the separatist shelled Nevelske with 152 mm self-propelled artillery thre times, while the strongholds of Avdiivka, Verkhnyotoretske and Butivka mining complex were struck by 82 mm mortar fire. Rocket launchers were fired at Opytne, and Krasnohorivka was the target of 120 mm mortar barrages. Small arms fire was reported at Troitske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Maiorsk in the region of Horlivka, where 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Zaitseve and Ukrainian troops received small arms fire in Luhanske. In the area of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Starohnativka were harassed with heavy machine gun fire, and with small arms fire in Shyrokyne. Small arms were also fired against Ukrainian troops at Stanitsya Luhanska, in the northern front, where Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka were also the target of 82 mm mortar fire.^[132][133]

16 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 65 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[134][135][136]} Six Ukrainian soldiers were injured on the previous day, and one was captured. A Ukrainian soldier wounded on 13 July by an explosion has died.^[137][138] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces fired upon their troops 423 times. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were Horlivka, Zaitseve, Mykhailivka, Vasiliivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[139] authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic denounced 85 Ukrainian army violations of the ceasefire over the past week. Most incidents took place at Kalinove, Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Lozove, Vesela Hora and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska.^[140]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that 27 attacks on their positions had taken place throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, The Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka came under 120 mm mortar and 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire. Ukrainian positions at Opytne and Krasnohorivka were struck by 82 mm mortar volleys. Verkhnyotoretske was the target of rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Horlivka, the rebels shelled Novoselivka with 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske and Zaitseve were fired at from different grenade-launcher systems. In the area of Mariupol, grenade launchers were also used against Ukrainian outposts at Talakivka and Novotroitske, while heavy machine gun fire was reported near Hnutove. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodyane were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the separatists fired heavy machine guns on Lopaskyne and Novozvanivka.^[141]

17 July

The Ukrainian army reported that rebel forces broke the truce on 77 occasions over the past 24 hours.^[142][143] Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.^[144][145] Pro-Russian authorities recorded 692 armed attacks on their forces on the same period. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents took place at Zaitseve, Spartak, Vasiilivka, Novomarivka, Yasynuvata, Startomyhailivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[146] There were seven attacks on pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military used small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars to opened fire on the villages of Kalinove, Raevka and Pervomaisk.^[147]

Ukrainian military sources recorded 26 violations of the ceasefire by rebel forces by evening. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian troops fired small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars at the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, while Verkhnyotoretske was the target of heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortar rounds. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Troitske and Butivka mining complex. Meanwhile, in the region of Horlivka, the separatist shelled th settlements of Zaitseve, Luhanske and Novhorodske with rocket launchers. Antitank guided missiles were launched at Ukrainian positions at Novoselivka. In the area of Mariupol, Novoselivka and Hnutove came under 120 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne received small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the northern front, 82 mm mortar volleys struck the area of Stari Aidar, and automatic fire was reported on Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka, Novooleksadrivka and Zhovte.^[148]

18 July

The Ukrainian military recorded 64 pro-Russian violations of the ceasefire over the past 24 hours.^[149][150] One Ukrainian soldier was killed and five wounded in action.^[151][152] Separatist officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 711 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targtes were Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vasiilivka, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[153] There were 20 Ukrainian army attacks in the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka with the support of recoilless antitank guns and automatic grenade launchers. The Ukrainian forces also employed small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars against rebel troops at Kalinove, Mariivka, Sanzharivka and the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska.^[154]

Ukrainian sources said that the separatists broke the ceasefire on 23 occasions throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, Pisky was shelled from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Krasnohorivka and Marinka were struck by 120 mm mortar volleys, while Opytne was the target of 82 mm mortars. Avdiivka came under fire of heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the region of Horlivka, the rebels shelled Maiorsk with grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars, and Zaitseve with 82 mm mortars. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske, with the support of antiaircraft artillery. North of Mariupol, 120 mm mortar rounds landed in Starohnativka, while Ukrainian troops at Hranitne and Hnutove were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian fortifications at Novooleksandrivka were the target of mortar barrages.^[155]

19 July

The Ukrainian army reported 78 violations of the ceasefire by rebel forces on the last 24 hours.^[156][157] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that seven Ukrainian servicemen were killed and fourteen others wounded in action in Donbass region on 18 July,^[158][159] making July the deadliest month for the Ukrainian military in nearly a year.^[160] Sources on the field had previously acknowledged the deaths of four Ukrainian servicemen of the 53th Infantry Brigade when a pillbox was hit by a heavy artillery or mortar round in an area between Maiorsk and Zaitseve.^[161] Ukrainian border guards repelled an attack on their control post overnight into Tuesday, 19 July.^[162] Pro-Russian authorities denounced that Ukrainian troops opened fire on their positions on 623 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The targets were separatist troops at Vasiliivka, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Spartak, Krutaya Balka, Vesele, Zhabicheve, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One rebel soldier was wounded.^[163] Ukrainian forces shelled five times pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic in Lohvynove and around Stanitsya Luhanska with automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars.^[164]

Ukrainian officials reported 16 attacks on their troops throughout the day. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Avdiivka was attacked with small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Nearby Krasnohorivka came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire, and sniper activity was reported at Marinka. In the region of Horlivka, rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar barrages struck Maiorsk, while Zaitseve was the target of automatic fire. Around Mariupol, the rebels fired small arms and 82 mm mortars at Vodyane. In addition, Ukrainian troops at Novohnativka were targeted by small arms and rocket launchers. In the northern front, Stanitsya Luhanska was fired at from heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and antiaircraft artillery.^[165]

By the end of the day "DPR Defense Ministry" deemed it necessary to publish "urgently", that the "situation in the Donetsk direction tends to aggravate."^[166] "Lugansk Defence" report, that was published about three hours earlier, stated that the "situation in the zone of responsibility of the People’s Militia remains tense."^[167]

20 July

The Ukrainian military reported 54 ceasefire violations on 19 July. Some incidents involved the use of banned weapons by the separatists. The rebels fired 122 mm self-propelled artillery on Shyrokyne, 120 mm mortar rounds on Talakivka, Maiorsk and Avdiivka and antiaircraft guns on Novozvanivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka.^[168][169] No Ukrainian casualties were reported.^[170][171] Pro-Russian sources said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their troops on 709 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. They fired upon rebel forces at Vasiliivka, Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Yasynuvata, Krutaya Balka, Spartak, Zhabunki, Makiyivka, Mineralne, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire four times. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske, supported by recoilles antitank guns, attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove. The village of Lozove was shelled by automatic grenade launchers from Luhanske, and separatist troops in Kalinove received small arms fire from Novozvanivka.^[172]

Ukrainian officials recorded 25 rebel attacks by the end of the day. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Semyhirya and Kodema were pounded by 122 mm self-propelled guns. Meanwhile, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Novohorodske, and 82 mm mortar rounds hit Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve and Maiorsk. Around Donetsk city, the village of Kamyanka was pounded with 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka was the target of heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars, while Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. North of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Starohnativka were fired at from small arms, machine guns and rocket launchers. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Novotroitske, and small arms fire at Pavlopil. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian redoubts around Stanitsya Luhanska were struck by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[173]

21 July

Ukrainian authorities said that rebel forces broke the ceasefire 70 times over the past 24 hours.^{[174][175][176]} Five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in the same period.^[177][178] One civilian was killed in Avdiivka as result of heavy shelling.^[175] Separatist officials recorded 308 Ukrainian attacks on their positions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian troops at Vasilivka, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Mineralne, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[179] The Ukrainian army also launched seven attacks inside the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles shelled rebel redoubts in the outskirts of Stanitsya Luhanska supported by automatic grenade launchers, and in the village of Kalinove, which was also shot at by small arms and rocket launchers. Nyzhne Lozove and Mironovskiy were the target of recoilless antitank guns. Lohvynove was also fired at by the same weapons from Luhanske.^[180]

The press-centre of th/ref>e ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had launched 20 attacks on Ukrainian troops throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, a lone pro-Russian tank shelled Ukrainian positions at Krasnohorivka, The area had previously came under fire from small arms, rocket launchers, antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars. In nearby Avdiivka, the rebels opened fire with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars, while 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Pisky. Ukrainian troops at Marinka and Troitske were targeted by heavy machine guns. In the area of Horlivka, Maiorsk was shelled by 82 mm mortars, and Ukrainian forces at Nyzhne Lozove were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Hnutove, in the region of Mariupol, where Ukrainian outposts at Pavlopil were raked with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the separatists pounded Stanitsya Luhanska with small arms fire, machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades. Mortar barrages landed in the village of Novozvanivka.^[181][182]

Both Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch accused the warring sides in unlawful actions against civilians.^[183][184]

22 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 66 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 21 July. The incidents involved the widespread use of 120 mm mortars, a heavy weapon banned by the Minsk agreements.^{[185][186][187]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[188] The casualties took place at Marinka, when a group of rebel scouts broke through the demarcation line. The assault was repelled by the Ukrainian defenders.^[189] According to separatist authorities, one soldier was killed and another wounded during the past week. Seven civilian residents were also injured.^[190] The same sources recorded four Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska attacked pro-Russian positions around the city, supported by small arms fire. Pervomaisk was shelled from Popasna by 120 mm mortars, while Kalinove was the target of automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars.^[191]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel forces attacked Shyrokyne with sniper fire, machine gun fire and 120 mm mortar volleys. Starohnativka was also struck by 120 mm mortar rounds, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Talakivka. The separatists fired rocket launchers at Vodyane. Around Donetsk city, rocket propelled grenades hit the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Marinka and Butivka coal mine. Small arms fire was reported at Avdiivka and sniper fire harassed Ukrainian troops at Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, Novhorodske came under rocket propelled grenade fire. Small arms fire was reported at Zaitseve, while pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske.^[192][193]

23 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[194][195][196]} 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 on 22 July.^[197][198] separatist officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 351 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Spartak, Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Shyroka Balka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Dokuchaievsk, Vasiilivka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[199] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 55 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire throughout the week.^[200]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 40 occasions. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka bore thew brunt of the rebel attacks. The Ukrainian stronghold was the target of small arms, rocket propelled grenades, mortars and 122 mm self-propelled guns. Nearby Opytne was also pounded with 122 mm artillery rounds, and Ukrainian troops at Troitske received heavy machine gun fire. Small arms, rocket launchers and mortars were fired upon the Ukrainian outpost at Butivka mining complex. The same weapons were used to strike Ukrainian forces at Maiorsk, west of Horlivka. In the northern front, the separatists fired small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, antiaircraft artillery and 122 mm self-propelled guns on Novozvanivka. Pro-Russian tanks shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Novooleksandrivka along with rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery.^[201]

24 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 77 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 23 July;^{[202][203][204][205]} the fire was returned on several occasions.^[206] Rebel forces launched two assaults on Ukrainian positions around Marinka, both of them beaten off by the defenders. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Novohryhorivka, in the Mariupol area, and Novooleksandrivka, in the northern front, while armoured fighting vehicles opened up on Priazovzke and Luhanske. Avdiivka, Opytne, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka came under 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Chermalyk, Hnutove, Novohrihorivka, Shyrokyne, Vodyane, Starohnativka, Avdiivka, Novoselivka and Novozvanivka.^[202] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were killed, thirteen were wounded, and eight were contused in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[206][207] Seven rebels were killed in a mortar exchange.^[208] Three clashes between the warring parties took place in Luhansk region, two in the region of Mariupol, Motuzyanyk added.^[206] The ATO HQ published on their Facebook page later more information on these five attacks.^[209]

Separatist sources recorded 610 attacks on their troops. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery to pound pro-Russian strongpoints at Vasiiivka, Zaitseve, Horlivka, Mykhailivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[210] The same sources claimed to have killed 10 Ukrainian soldiers from a recoinassance group which broke through the demarcation line near Opytne.^[211] According to Luhansk People's Republic officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on ten occasions in the territory controlled by the self-proclaimed republic. Ukrainian tanks from Novozvanivka shelled pro-Russian positions at Kalinove. The village was also the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. The rebel-held settlements of Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Mironovskiy and Smile were pounded by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars.^[212]

The Ukrainian military reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had launched 26 attacks on Ukrainian forces throughout the day; no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk region. Most incidents occurred in the region of Mariupol, where rebel forces shelled Novohryhorivka with 122 mm self-propelled guns and Talakivka, Vodyane and Starohnativka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Heavy machine gun fire and sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Nevelske was struck by rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds, and the separatists pounded Avdiivka with rocket propelled grenades. Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve, Mayske and Verkhnyotoretske were harassed with small arms fire.^[213]

25 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 58 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka clashed with a group of rebel scouts.^{[214][215][216]} During the first six hours of 25 July seven attacks on Ukrainian positions were recorded in the region of Mariupol.^[217] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three others wounded in action in the Donbass region on 24 July.^[218] According to the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, one Ukrainian serviceman died and ten others were injured during military exercise in southern Ukraine.^[219][220] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 570 times on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Vasiilivka, Leninske, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Spartak, Yasynuvata, Mineralne, Oktyabr, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. Two civilian residents were wounded.^[221] The same sources reported seven Ukrainian attacks inside the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. The incidents took place in the villages of Kalinove and Lohvynove. The Ukrainian forces opened fire with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars.^[222]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions. The main flashpoint was the region of Mariupol. Talakivka came under fire from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, and rocket propelled grenades landed in Hnutove. Ukrainian troops at Novoselivka received heavy machine gun fire. Around Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka was the target of 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery, while Opytne and Marinka were fired at by rocket launchers and Troitske by heavy machine guns. Krasnohorivka was pounded by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts near Pisky.^[223]

26 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 25 July,^{[224][225][226]} and on 10 occasions during the first six hours of 26 July.^[227] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[228] Separatist authorities reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their troops 812 times with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted pro-Russian positions at Staromykhailivka, Yasynuvata, Krutaya Balka, Spartak, Zhabunki, Dokuchaievsk, Petrovske, Leninske, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Sahanka, Donetsk airport, Kiev, Kirove and Petrovsky districts.^[229] The same sources recorded seven Ukrainian violations of the truce in the area under control of the Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian forces attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Vesele Hora, Kalinove and Kalinivka with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, antiaircraft artillery and armoured fighting vehicles.^[230]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka were fired at from small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Butivka mining complex and Nevelske were also the target of 120 mm mortar rounds, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Marinka. Opytne came under antiaircraft gun fire and Pisky under machine gun fire.^[231][232]

An OSCE unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down near Avdiivka.^[233] The loss of three UAVs in less than three months had left the OSCE mission without long-range aerial surveillance.^[234]

27 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 22 occasions in the region of Mariupol;^{[235][236][237][238]} no ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk Oblast.^[239] 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 on 26 July.^[239] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 805 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[240] Authorities from Luhansk People's Republic reported one Ukrainian violation of the ceasefire, when Ukrainian BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska shelled pro-Russian entrenchments at Knyaz Igor memorial.^[241]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rebel forces pounded the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka with small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at nearby Marinka were harassed with small arms fire. North of Horlivka, Luhanske and Novoselivka were the target of sniper fire, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Starohnativka, while small arms fire was reported at Vodyane. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the rebels fired 82 mm mortars at Ukrainian redoubts in Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, and automatic grenade launchers at the village of Lopaskyne.^[242]

28 July

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 positions on 27 July.^{[243][244][245]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^{[246][247][248]} Separatist sources recorded 108 Ukrainian attacks on their positions with small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Zaitseve, Krasny Partizan, Yasynuvata, Vasiilivka, Shyroka Balka, Spartak, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action.^[249] Ukrainian forces opened fire on nine occasions on pro-Russian positions inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian BPM-1 armoured fighting vehicles attacked rebel entrenchments at Kalinove, supported by automatic grenade launchers and recoilless antitank guns. Meanwhile, Kalinivka was shelled from automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars emplaced in Ukrainian-held Novozvanivka. Ukrainian troops from Popasna fired small arms and automatic grenade launchers at Molodezhne.^[250]

By evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions. Around Donetsk city, rebel forces shelled Avdiivka with grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades also landed in Marinka. Near Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Luhanske were the target of small arms and automatic grenade launchers, while Maiorsk came under rocket propelled grenade and 82 mm mortar fire. In the region of Mariupol, Vodyane was pounded with small arms fire, heavy machine gun fire and 82 mm mortar volleys. Lebedynske was fired at by rocket launchers.^[251]

29 July

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. Two assaults by pro-Russian troops on Schastya and Avdiivka were repelled by Ukrainian forces. The fighting was more intense in Schastya, where the rebels employed 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and tanks during the three-hour battle.^{[252][253][254][255][256]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 28 July.^[257][258] Pro-Russian officials acknowledged the death of one of their soldier over the past week. Five civilians were reported injured.^[259] The same sources recorded seven Ukrainian ceasefire violations inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian forces opened fire on the villages of Kalinivka, Lohvynove and Kalinove with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars.^[260]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 19 occasions. Around Donetsk city, heavy shelling was reported at Nevelske, where the rebels fired on 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Krasnohorivka, Opytne and Pisky were the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys, while heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers were used against Avdiivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Maryinka. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian entrenchments at Luhanske and Novhorodske were fired at from small arms and automatic grenade launchers. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops were harassed by small arms and under-barrel grenade launcher fire at Starohnativka, and by small arms fire at Hranitne.^[261][262]

Members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) were threatened by the "DPR" members at gunpoint near Lukove (72 km south of Donetsk).^[263]

30 July

The spokesman of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that separatist forces had opened fire on 84 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Leninske, in the area of Horlivka, Starhonativka, in the region of Mariupol, and Trokhizbenka, in the northern sector of the demarcation line. Banned heavy weapons were also used in several locations. The rebels fired 152 mm self-propelled artillery on Leninske and Yasnobrodivka. Also in Leninske, 122 mm artillery rounds landed around Ukrainian entrenchments. Krasnohorivka, Pisky and Maiorsk were the target of 120 mm mortars.^[264][265] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, one wounded, and one contused in action in the Donbass region on 29 July.^[266] According to officials from Donetsk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire 222 times. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles to attack pro-Russian positions at Yasynuvata, Spartak, Sakhanka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, the districts of Petrovsky and Kuybishev and Donetsk airport.^[267] The authorities of Luhansk People's Republic reported 72 violations of the truce by Ukrainian forces inside the boundaries of the Republic during the past week. The same sources said that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on 11 occasions on 29 July. The Ukrainian army used light weapons, grenade launchers, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to attack the rebel strongholds of Kalinove, Kalinivka, Lozove, Mironovskiy, Raevka and Molodezhne.^[268]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions throughout the day. In the surroundings of Donetsk, Avdiivka was the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars, and Butivka mining complex of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. The rebels also harassed Ukrainian redoubts at Verkhnyotoretske and Troitske. North of Horlivka, pro-Russian armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Svetlodarsk dam, where hostile snipers were also active. The Ukrainian military at Nyzhne Lozove deployed armoured personnel carriers as a reaction to rebel attacks. In the region of Mariupol, Vodyane was pounded by small arms fire, machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades also landed in Lopaskyne, in the northern sector of the demarcation line.^[269]

Two fishermen were injured by the explosion of a booby trap in Lopaskyne, Luhansk Oblast.^[270]

31 July

According to the information provided by the spokesman of the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 105 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 46 occasions during the last six hours of 30 July.^{[271][272][273]} 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 the previous day.^[274][275] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 817 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Petrovsky and Kuybyshev district and Donetsk airport.^[276] There were 16 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by mortar fire and rocket propelled grenades, attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove. Lohvynove, Kalinivka and separatists entrenchments around Knyaz Igor memorial were the target of mortar volleys. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Molodezhne.^[277]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 06:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the outskirts of Donetsk, heavy shelling was reported at Avdiivka, which came under 122 mm and 152 mm artillery fire. The town was also struck by 120 mm mortar volleys. The rebels also fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian stronghold. Mortar rounds also landed around Ukrainian redoubts in Krasnohorivka, Maryinka and Pisky, which was also the subject of machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, separatist forces opened fire on Starohnativka and Slavne with small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops at Novotroitske. In the northern front, Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Krymske were the target of small arms, rocket launchers and mortars fired from pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian army returned fire on several occasions.^[278] Ukrainian sources said they beaten off enemy special forces attempting to break through the demarcation line near Maryinka.^[279]

August

1 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 85 occasions on Ukrainian troops during the last day of July.^[280][281] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 31 July.^[282][283] Pro-Russian officials denounced that Ukrainian troops fired upon their forces on 850 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The incidents took place at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Mineralne, Yasynuvata, Luhanske, Oleksandrivka, Belaya Kamyanka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske, Sosnovske, Novolaspa, Donetsk airport, Kuibyshev and Petrovsky districts. One civilian resident was reported killed. The self-styled Luhansk People's Republic reported two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the area under their control. Kalinove was the target of automatic grenade launchers firing from Troitske, while pro-Russian entrenchments around the Knyaz Igor memorial came under 82 mm mortar fire from Stanitsya Luhanska.^[284]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. Around Donetsk city, the rebels fired heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortars on the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, Nevelske and Troitske. Krasnohorivka came under small arms and rocket propelled grenades. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian forces at Luhanske were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, while heavy machine gun fire and 82 mm mortar volleys struck several Ukrainian redoubts in the surroundings of Horlivka itself. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Hnutove were the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Small arms fire was also reported at Taramchuk, while antitank rockets landed in Novomyhailivka. There were close-combat clashes between the warring factions near Avdiivka, Opytne and Luhanske.^[285][286]

One male civilian was killed and female civilian injured as a result of shelling of Yasynuvata.^[287]

2 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[288][289][290]} 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 on the first day of August.^[291] Separatist authorities reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their troops on 466 occasions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns to attack rebel positions at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Zhabicheve, Zemlyamki, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Donetsk airport, Kuibyshev and Petrovsky districts.^[292] The same sources recorded eight Ukrainian army violations of the truce inside the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian tanks pounded pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove, supported by automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Molodezhne was fired at by automatic grenade launchers from Popasna. The settlements of Mironovskiy and Stakhanov were the target of 152 mm self-propelled artillery.^[293]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 28 occasions throughout the day. The main target continued to be the stronghold of Avdiivka, struck by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages. Also in the outskirts of Donetsk city, pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Marinka, while Pisky was pounded by 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Krasnohorivka was shelled by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and Ukrainian troops at Troitske were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. Around Horlivka, the rebels pounded Ukrainian entrenchments at Kirove and Luhanske with rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm mortar rounds. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Talakivka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka received small arms and 82 mm mortar fire.^{[294][295][296]}

3 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 71 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 2 August.^[297][298] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and one contused in action in the Donbass region on 2 August.^[287] According to Donetsk People's Republic officials, Ukrainian forces opened fire 872 times on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Minerale, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novaya Tavriya, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Donetsk airport, Kuybishev and Petrovsky districts. One pro-Russian soldier was killed.^[299] There were 12 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the boundaries of the Luhansk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military attacked rebel positions at Sokolniki, Kalinove, Kalinivka, Lohvynove, Lozove and Knyaz Igor memorial with small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles.^[300]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. Heavy shelling was reported at Avdiivka, which came again under rocket fire and 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Harassing fire against Ukrainian forces was also recorded at Krasnohorivka, as heavy machine gun at Troitske and Nevelske. Rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Maiorsk, west of Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, Talakivka was the target of 82 mm mortar rounds and Ukrainian troops at Starohnativka received small arms fire.^[301][302]

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein called on all parties to the conflict in eastern Ukraine to prioritize the protection of civilians and take urgent steps to de-escalate the increasingly tense situation at the contact line, warning that civilian casualty figures have risen dramatically in the past two months.^[303]

4 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 38 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day.^{[304][305][306]} 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 on 3 August.^[307][308] The deputy minister of defence of Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions 466 times. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns to pound the rebel strongholds of Zaitseve, Spartak, Yasynuvata, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[309] Sources from Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven locations inside the republic's boundaries. Ukrainian BPM-1 armoured fighting vehicles shelled pro-Russian positions at Kalinove, supported by small arms and 82 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles also attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinivka. Knyaz Igor memorial was the target of mortar volleys fired from Stanitsya Luhanska, while Lozove was hit by antitank grenades fired from Svetlodarsk. Rebel troops received harassing fire in the villages of Sokolniki, Krymske, and Lohvynove.^[310]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions by 6:00 pm,^[311][312] and on 13 more occasions during the following 4 hours.^[313] In the area around Donetsk city, rebel forces fired rocket propelled grenades at Krasnohorivka and antitank guided missiles at Opytne. Avdiivka and Nevelske came under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, while sniper fire was reported at Marinka. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian outposts at Luhanske were raked with heavy machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, Vodyane became the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Rocket launchers were fired at Ukrainian redoubts in Taramchuk and Hranitne. Pro-Russian troops also fired small arms at Starohnativka and Novotroitske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed at Novozvanivka and Lopaskyne.^[312]

Voice of America expressed concerns over "Russia's steady buildup of military forces along its border with Ukraine."^[314]

5 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 4 August.^{[315][316][317]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[318] Pro-Russian sources reported three soldiers killed and two wounded over the past week. Ukrainian shelling also killed two civilian residents.^[319] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported six ceasefire violations of the truce by the Ukrainian military inside their boundaries. Ukrainian BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinivka. Lohvynove came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while nearby Lozove was the target of 73 mm recoilless antitank guns.^[320]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions, including on ten occasions in the region of Mariupol, on six occasions in the region of Donetsk city, and on one occasion in Luhansk region. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Starohnativka and redoubts manned by Ukrainian marines in Shyrokyne. The rebels shelled Bohdanivka and Chermalik with 82 mm mortars and pounded Hnutove with heavy machine gun fire. Small arms fire was reported at Vodyane. Around Donetsk city, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, while Avdiivka was the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. North of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve received small arms fire. In the northern front, rebel forces fired automatic grenade launchers at Novozvanivka.^[321][322]

6 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 20 occasions in the region of Donetsk city, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^[323][324] 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 on 5 August, two others were injured by explosion of a booby trap.^[325] Six Ukrainian servicemen were injured by a grenade explosion during military exercises.^[325] Two civilians were injured in the western suburbs of Donetsk city as a result of heavy Ukrainian shelling.^[326] Separatist officials reported 450 Ukrainian attacks on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery The main targets were the strongholds of Zaitseve, Horlivka, Panteleymonivka, Spartak, Zhabunki, Belaya Kamyanka, Vasiilivka, Dokuchaievsk, Krasny Partizan, Oleksandrivka, Staromyhailivka, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[327] Officials from Luhansk People's Republic reported three Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the boundaries of the Republic. The Ukrainian military fired automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns and 82 mm mortars at pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove and Lohvynove.^[328]

At around 08:00 am an explosion in Luhansk injured at least two, including one of the heads of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic, Igor Plotnitsky.^{[329][330][331][332]}

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions throughout the day. An attack of pro-Russian fighters — that took place near Maryinka early in the morning — was beaten off by Ukrainian forces. In other areas around Donetsk city, 82 mm mortar rounds hit Avdiivka and Novoselivka, while Ukrainian entrenchments at Butivka mining complex and Pisky were pounded from 73 mm recoilless antitank guns. In Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, Ukrainian troops were harassed with small arms fire. In the region of Mariupol, rocket launchers were fired at the Ukrainian strongholds of Lebedynske and Pavlopil. Small arms fire was reported at Starohnativka and Novotroitske. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Krymske, Luhansk Oblast, in the northern front.^[333][334]

7 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 6 August, including on 26 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 23 occasions in the region of Donetsk city, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[335][336][337]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[338] Pro-Russian officials denounced 309 Ukrainian attacks on their troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns The Ukrainian miliyary targeted Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Vesele, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka, Kominternove, Kulikove, Sakhanka, Petrovsky and Kuybishev districts and Donetsk airport.^[339] According to sources from Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire agreement on five occasions inside the republic's borders. Pro-Russian forces came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire at Lozove, Nyzhne Lozove, Lohvynove and Kalinove.^[340]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. Heavy shelling was reported at Krasnohorivka and Avdiivka, where the Ukrainian defenders came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Mortar fire also struck nearby Maryinka. Troitske was the target of grenade launchers, while pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts near Krasnohorivka and Pisky. The rebels attacked Luhanske, north of Horlivka, with heavy machine gun fire and grenade launchers and bombarded Maiorsk with banned 122 mm self-propelled artillery.. In the region of Mariupol, Pavlopil was shelled from 82 mm mortars, while Starohnativka received heavy machine gun fire and Talakivka small arms fire. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka and Popasna received heavy machine gun fire.^[341][342]

8 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 7 August, including on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol,^{[343][344][345]} and on 12 occasions during the first six hours of 8 August.^[346] 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 the previous day.^[347][348] According to separatist sources, Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 320 occasions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Krasny Partizan, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district in Donetsk city. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and two others wounded.^[349] Sources from the Luhansk People's Republic claimed that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on eight occasions inside the territory of the self-proclaimed republic. The Ukrainian army used 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to shell Lohvynove, Lozove, Vesela Hora and Donetskiy.^[350]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 18 occasions throughout the day. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka was the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, while machine gun fire was reported at Kamyanka. Nearby Troitske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. North of Horlivka, pro-Russian forces fired grenade launchers at Ukrainian troops near Luhaske. In the region of Mariupol, artillery rounds landed in Shyrokyne, which was also hit by 120 mm rocket propelled grenades. The same kind of rocket launchers were fired at Ukrainian forces in Vodyane. The Ukrainian garrison at Hnutove was harassed with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Small arms fire was also reported at Starohnativka.^[351] No ceasefire violations were registered in Luhansk region.^[351]

9 August

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 47 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 8 August, including on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 16 occasions in the areas surrounding Donetsk city, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[352][353][354]} The fire was returned on several occasions.^[355] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and five others were wounded in action in the Donbass region over the past 24 hours.^[356][357] The casualties occurred in the region of Mariupol.^[356] Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, Eduard Basurin, reported that the Ukrainian military opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 567 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Ukrainian forces attacked Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Vasiiivka, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Styla, Dokuchaievsk, Panteleymonivka, Krutaya Balka, Kominternovo, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district in Donetsk city.^[358] Sources from the Luhansk People's Republic recorded eight Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the boundaries of the self-styled republic. The Ukrainian military opened fire with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars on the villages of Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Stakhanov, Kalinove and Lozove.^[359]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that by 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions, half of that occurred in the region of Mariupol, where pro-Russian armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne, which also came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Mortar volleys also landed in Novtroitske, while Hnutove was the target of rocket launchers. Around Donetsk city, 122 mm self-porpelled artillery pounded the strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske, and Krasnohorivka was shelled from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Ukrainian troops were harassed with machine gun fire at nearby Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, 122 mm artillery rounds landed in Zaitseve. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces shelled Novooleksandrivka with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, while Ukrainian troops at Popasna were harassed with small arms fire.^[360][361]

According to some observers "fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists has escalated to levels not seen since more furious phases of the conflict in the Donbas — where the separatists hold parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions — in 2014 and 2015. Casualties, both civilian and military, are mounting."^[362]

More than 50 wounded Ukrainian servicemen were hospitalised in Kharkiv military hospital during the last week.^[363]

10 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 62 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 9 August. Rebel troops used banned heavy weapons such as antiaircraft cannons, armoured fighting vehicles, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 self-propelled artillery.^[364][365] At noon it was reported that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[366][367] Pro-Russian authorities denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire 711 on their positions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns. The Ukrainian military attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Ozeryanivka, Krasny Partizan, Holmivskiy, Vasiilivka, Yasne, Staromyhailivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district in Donetsk city.^[368] There were five violations of the ceasefire by Ukrainian troops inside the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to the same sources. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Svetlodarsk attacked pro-Russian positions at Lozove, while Kalinove came under 82 mm mortar fire. the Ukrainian military shelled Lohvynove with automatic grenade launchers and recoilless antitank guns from Luhanske.^[369] Two civilian residents of Donetsk city were killed by heavy shelling. The deaths were confirmed by members of the OSCE mission on 11 August.^[370]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions throughout the day. Most incidents took place around Mariupol, where the village of Vodyane came under 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire. Mortar rounds landed in nearby Talakivka, and rocket propelled grenades in Hnutove. The separatists opened fire with antiaircraft artillery on Ukrainian redoubts at Novotroitske. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Avdiivka was the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Nevelske was hit by 82 mm mortar volleys. In the region of Horlivka, Ukrainian forces at Novoselivka were fired at from grenade launchers. In the northern front, in Luhansk Oblast, The rebels fired heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Zolote.^[371][372] Two children were injured in a shelling of Marinka at around 07:30 pm.^[373]

11 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 67 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 10 August.^{[374][375][376][377]} The State Border Service reported that their checkpoint "Stanitsa Luhanska" and control post "Mariinka" were fired at after 09:00 pm.^[378] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[379] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 267 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Spartak, Olenivka, Styla, Dokuchaievsk, Mineralne, Vesele, Yasynuvata, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kominternove and Petrovsky district.^[380] According to Luhansk People's Republic authorities, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on four occasions inside its boundaries over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian tanks from Stanitsya Luhanska, supported by 82 mm mortar fire, attacked pro-Russian redoubts around Knyaz Igor memorial. Meanwhile, Slavyanoserbsk was the target of 82 mm mortar barrages fired from Krymske. Nyzhne Lozove was shelled from Ukrainian positions at Luhanske with automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm recoilless antitank guns.^[381]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 13 occasions throughout the day, including on seven occasions in the region of Mariupol and on six occasions in the region of Donetsk city. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne, which earlier had become the target of 82 mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades landed around Ukrainian forces at Novoaleksandrivka, while Taramchuk and Talakivka came under small arms, rocket launcher and 82 mm mortar fire. Small arms fire was reported at Starohnativka. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the separatists fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Ukrainian positions in Avdiivka. Ukrainian troops at Verkhnyotoretske were harassed with sniper fire. North of Horlivka, Zaitseve was the target of heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[382][383]

The Kremlin announced on its website that Russia was considering tightening security at the land and sea borders with Ukraine, following the alleged incidents in Crimea.^[384][385] A three-day anti-sabotage drills to counter potential underwater attacks on Black Sea naval installations was announced.^[386] President Putin mentioned that "... two our servicemen were killed. Undoubtedly, we shall not overlook this kind of affairs".^[387] According to the article, published by the Russia Today, one FSB serviceman died as a result of shelling from Ukrainian side.^[387][388] No geographical location of the borders between two nations were specified. Upon request of the Ukraine mission to the United Nations the meeting of the United Nations Security Council will discuss growing tensions between Ukraine and Russia on Thursday, 11 August, in a closed door meeting.^{[389][390][391]}

12 August

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 11 August, including on 21 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[392][393][394][395]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[396] One Ukrainian serviceman was lethally wounded in Popasna on 12 August at around 00:00 am,^[397] two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded.^[398] According to pro-Russian officials, one of their soldiers died and other three were wounded in battle over the past week. Three civilians were killed and seven injured on the same period.^[399] According to Luhansk People's Republic sources, there were six violations of the ceasefire by the Ukrainian army. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinivka and Lozove supported by automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns and 120 mm mortars. Sokolniki and Knyaz Igor memorial came under 82 mm mortar fire.^[400]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 19 occasions throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Novohryhorivka, while Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne came under sniper fire. The rebels also attacked Vodyane, Shyrokyne and Novohryhorivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Around Donetsk city, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Krasnohrivka and Nevelske, while heavy machine gun fire was reported at Avdiivka. Heavy machine guns were also used to harass Ukrainian forces at Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka was hit by 120 mm mortar rounds and heavy artillery fire. The rebels also fired heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Ukrainian outposts near Novozvanivka just before dawn.^[401]

13 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 61 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 12 August, including on 31 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 16 occasions near Donetsk city, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[402][403][404]} At noon it was reported that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[405] Two clashes between the warring parties took place in the region of Mariupol during the first hours of 13 August, one at Nikolaevka and the other near Bohdanivka.^[406] Separatist authorities said that the Ukrainian military fired upon their troops on 289 occasions. The Ukrainian forces employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Vasiliivka, Horlivka, Mineralne, Yasynuvata, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Styla, Leninske, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district.^[407] Sources from the Luhansk People's Republic reported that Ukrainian forces broke the truce inside the boundaries of the republic on five occasions. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska shelled pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial, while Lozove was fired at from automatic grenade launchers. Separatist troops at Zhovte were harassed with small arms fire.^[408] Authorities from the republic also denounced a total of 45 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the past week.^[409]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions throughout the day, including on 11 occasions in the region of Mariupol, where heavy shelling was reported at Sladke, Lebedynske, Talakivka, Nikolaevka, Bohdanivka and Starohnativka. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian forces struck Maryinka with heavy artillery, and poured mortar fire on Avdiivka and Novoselivka. Ukrainian redoubts at Novhorodske and Troitske were fired at from heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the northern front, Novotroitske and Zhovte were the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar barrages.^{[410][411][412]}

14 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 56 occasions the previous day, including on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 23 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region.^[413][414] Ukrainian military sources claimed that the separatists fired Russian-designed RPG-27 antitank rockets on a pedestrian bridge near Stanitsya Luhanska. The rocket is not in the inventories of Ukrainian government forces.^[415] Three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 13 August.^[416] Donetsk People's Republic defence deputy minister, Eduard Basurin, denounced that the Ukrainian military opened fire on their positions on 675 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns. The incidents took place at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Krutaya Balka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Yasne, Olenivka, Aleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district.^[417] According to separatist sources, Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on ten occasions inside the territory of the Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalinivka, which also became the target of automatic grenade launchers, and 82 mm mortars. Lohvynove and Kalinove were shelled from 120 mm mortars. Kalinove was also struck by 73 mm grenades from recoilless antitank guns. Separatist troops at Zhovte were attacked with small arms and 82 mm mortars from Popasna. Ukrainian forces from Troitske fired at Vesela Hora with 73 mm recoillles antitank guns and 82 mm mortars.^[418]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 28 occasions throughout the day. In the area of Donetsk city, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka, while Maryinka came under heavy machine gun and 120 mm mortar fire. Sniper fire was reported at Verkhnyotoretske, and Ukrainian troops at Krasnohorivka werthe target of small arms. In the region of Mariupol, rocket propelled grenades landed in Shyrokyne and Hnutove. Ukrainian redoubts at Talakivka were the target of heavy machine gun fire and 120 mm mortar volleys. In the northern front, Novooleksandrivka was fired at from heavy machine guns and 82 mm mortars. Novozvanivka and Krymske were hit by rocket propelled grenades.^[419]

15 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 64 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 14 August, including on 28 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 23 occasions near Donetsk city, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region.^[420][421] A clash between the warring parties took place in the region of Novoaleksandrivka, Luhansk Oblast.^[422] One Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[423] Separatist sources said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 675 occasions on Ukrainian positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, and 152 mm self-propelled guns. The Ukrainian army targeted rebel redoubts at Zaitseve, Krutaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske,Sakhanka, Oktyabr and the surroundings of Donetsk city.^[424] Luhansk rebels have confirmed the death of two militiamen near Kalinove,^[425] after their position was hit by 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Novooleksandrivka, in the course of a Ukrainian assault.^[426] The attack also involved the use of small arms and automatic grenade launchers. Separatist sources claimed that the bodies of the dead soldiers were recovered by Ukrainian troops.^[427]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, separatist troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 18 occasions throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, Novoselivka was shelled by 122 mm self-propelled artillery, while Vodyane and Taramchuk came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms fire, and Ukrainian forces at Bohdanivka clashed with pro-Russian scouts. Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, became the target of pro-Russian mortars. Mortar barrages and rocket propelled grenades also landed in Maiorsk, west of Horlivka. In the same area, Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve and Nyzhne Lozove received small arms fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novooleksandrivka, Zhovte and Novotroitske were fired at from rocket launchers. Sniper fire was also reported at Novotroitske.^[428] Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded during the shelling of the industrial area of Avdiivka.^[429][430]

16 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^[431][432] The State Border Service reported that their control post "Maiorsk" was fired at from mortars at 11:00 pm.^[433] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 15 August.^[434] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire 578 times upon their positions. The Ukrainian military employed used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled guns. The main targets were Zaitseve, Mikhaylivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasynuvata, Vesele, Mineralne, Vasiliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Belaya Kamyanka and the outskirts of Donetsk city.^[435] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire on five occasions inside the republic boundaries. Ukrainian tanks from Stanitsya Luhanska attacked pro-Russian entrenchments around Knyaz Igor memorial, while Kalinivka was shelled by rocket launchers and 73 mm recoilless antitank guns from Luhanske. The village of Katerinove came under 82 mm mortar fire.^[436]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, 152 mm artillery volleys landed in Rybinske, while nearby Novoselivka was the target of 122 mm artillery fire. The rebels poured 120 mm mortar rounds on Lebedynske and Slavne. Chermalyk was meanwhile pounded by 82 mm mortar volleys.^[437][438] A volunteer from Berdiansk was killed during the shelling of Chermalyk at around 02:00 am.^[439] Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka came once again under rocket and mortar fire, while 82 mm mortar rounds struck Verkhnyotoretske. Ukrainian troops at Luhanske, north of Horlivka, received heavy machine gun fire. In the northern front, the rebels fired 122 mm self-propelled guns at Vrubovke. Sniper activity was reported at Novooleksandrivka.^[437][438]

17 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 16 August, including on 23 occasions near Donetsk city, on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk Oblast.^[440][441] Eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[442] According to separatist officials, Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 698 occasions. The Ukrainian military opened fire with small arms, grenade launchers, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery and "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Vasiliivka, Vesele, Dokuchaievsk, Belaya Kamyanka, Hryhorivka, Novolaspa, Novomaiivka, Nikolaevka, Sosnovske, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Oleksandrivka and Petrovsky district.^[443] Sources from Luhansk People's Republic reported four Ukrainian violations of the truce in the territory of the self-proclaimed state. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska shelled pro-Russian redoubts around Knyaz Igor memorial, which also became the target of 82 mm mortars. Rebel troops at Kalinove were harassed with small arms fire from Popasna, while 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Luhanske landed in Kalinivka.^[444]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, separatist troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 45 occasions throughout the day. In the region of Mariupol, 152 mm artillery barrages landed in Sionitne, while pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops at Talakivka and Vodyane came under mortar fire, and the strongholds of Chermalyk and Novohnativka were hit by rocket propelled grenades. Around Donetsk city, the rebels fired 122 mm self-propelled artillery at Pisky and Maryinka, which also was the target of sniper and mortar fire. Mortar volleys also struck Avdiivka, Kamyanka and Krasnohorivka, while Pisky received a combination of mortar and 122 mm artillery fire. In the area of Horlivka, separatist forces shelled Semihirya, Novoselivka, Luhanske, Zaitseve and Novhorodske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 122 mm artillery rounds landed in Popasna and Novooleksandrivka, where mortar and antitank rocket fire was also reported. Zolote, Stanitsya Luhanska and Krymske were shelled from rocket launchers and mortars.^[445][446] Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four others wounded due to shelling in the industrial area of Avdiivka.^[447][448]

18 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 96 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 17 August, including on 45 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 32 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[449][450][451][452][453]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[454][455] According to Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, Eduard Basurin, Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 428 occasions with small arms, rocket launchers, 120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Dokuchaievsk and Petrovsky district.^[456] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces committed five ceasefire violations inside the territory of the republic. Ukrainian tanks shelled pro-Russian redoubts around Knyaz Igor memorial and the village of Pervomaisk, while armoured fighting vehicles, supported by automatic grenade launchers, attacked Kalinivka.^[457] Heavy shelling from 152 mm self-propelled artillery was reported in the town of Stakhanov.^[458]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, separatist troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 37 occasions throughout the day. Pro-Russian tanks shelled Ukrainian redoubts at Troitske, in the surroundings of Donetsk city, while nearby Verkhnyotoretske was attacked by armoured fighting vehicles. Rebel forces opened fire on Ukrainian troops around Avdiivka with small arms, heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and mortars. Troitske was also pounded by 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Rocket propelled grenades and mortar rounds hit Maryinka and Krasnohorivka. In the region of Horlivka, 152 mm self-propelled guns were fired at Ukrainian entrenchments at Semihirya, while 122 mm artillery volleys struck Luhanske and Leninske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled meanwhile Novhorodske and Novoselivka. Around Mariupol, Ukrainian positions at Mirne endured heavy shelling from 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Mortar rounds and rocket propelled grenades landed in Pavlopil, and Ukrainian troops at Novohryhorivka were harassed with small arms fire. Clashes between the warring factions involving small arms and 73 mm recoilless antitank guns were reported at Bohdanivka. In the northern front, Novozvanivka and Popasna were shelled from 122 mm self-propelled guns, and Zolote became the target of automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars. Novooleksandrivka and Novotroitske were struck by rocket propelled grenades.^[459][460]

19 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 73 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 18 August, including on 38 occasions near Donetsk city and on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[461][462][463][464]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and eight wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day. All the casualties occurred in the region of Donetsk city.^[465][466] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that there were nine Ukrainian violations of the truce inside their boundaries over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces from Popasna shelled Kalinove with automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Pervomaisk became the target of automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars also fired from Popasna by Ukrainian troops. Rocket propelled grenades and 82 mm and 120 mm mortar rounds landed around pro-Russian positions in Knyaz Igor memorial, south of Stanitsya Luhanska, while pro-Russian troops at Sokolniki were pounded with small arms, rocket launchers and automatic grenade launchers firing from nearby Krymske.^[467]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions throughout the day, mainly in the area surrounding Donetsk city and Horlivka. The settlements of Krasny Pakhar and Zaitseve, north of Horlivka, received heavy shelling from 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Zaitseve along with Luhanske and Maiorsk, also came under heavy machine gun, rocket propelled grenade and mortar fire. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Luhanske. West of Donetsk city, 82 mm mortar rounds landed in Pisky and Maryinka, while Ukrainian outposts near Avdiivka were raked by heavy machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts near Starohnativka. The coastal village of Shyrokyne was fired at from rocket launchers, while Ukrainian troops at Vodyane were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, 82 mm mortar volleys landed around Ukrainian defences near Stanitsya Luhanska. Zhovte, meanwhile, was attacked with rocket propelled grenades, and Ukrainian troops at Popasna received small arms fire.^[468][469]

20 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 49 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 27 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 17 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[470][471][472]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 19 August.^[473] Pro-Russian authorities reported that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 480 occasions over their troops. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery to target Zaitseve, Vasiliivka, Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Vesele, Spartak, Olenivka, Styla, Dokuchaievsk, Belaya Kamyanka, Petrovske, Novolaspa, Kominternove and Sakhanka.^[474] According to officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven occasions inside the republic boundaries. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions at Lozove. Recoilless antitank guns were fired at Slavyanoserbsk and the surroundings of Zolote, while Lohvynove was shelled from Luhanske and Mironovske with 82mm and 120mm mortar volleys. Kalinove was also the target of 120mm mortars firing from Popasna and Novooleksandrivka.^[475]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 26 occasions throughout the day. The rebels carried out 11 attacks on Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, and in the area around Horlivka. The separatist used small arms, 82mm mortars and 120mm mortars. In the region of Mariupol, Starohnativka and Novohryhorivka came under 120mm mortar fire, while 82mm mortar volleys landed in Shyrokyne. Novohryhorivka was also the target of heavy machine gun fire and sniper fire was reported at Shyrokyne. Ukrainian troops at Vodyane, Taramchuk and Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka became the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar rounds. Automatic grenade launchers were fired at the Ukrainian stronghold of Krymske while hostile snipers were active at Novooleksandrivka.^[476][477]

21 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning on their Facebook page, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 71 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 20 August, including on 38 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on on 26 occasions near Donetsk city.^{[478][479][480]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[481] Ukrainian forces opened fire 527 times on pro-Russian positions on the same period, this according to Eduard Basurin, deputy defence minister of the Donetsk People's Republic. The Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents took place at Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Vasiliivka, Horlivka, Krasny Partizan, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Hryhorivka, Kominternove and Sakhanka. Two civilian residents were killed by shelling, one in Yasynuvata and another in Kominternove. One pro-Russian soldier was also killed in action.^[482][483] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic reported four Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the republic boundaries. The main target was the village of Troitske, shelled from 152mm self-propelled artillery. Pro-Russian troops at Pervomaisk were pounded with small arms fire, automatic grenade launchers and 73mm recoilless antitank guns firing from Popasna and Luhanske. Lohvynove also came under recoilless antitank gun fire.^[484]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions throughout the day. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka, which also came under 82mm mortar fire. Also in the area around Donetsk city the rebels fired rocket launchers and 82mm mortars at Avdiivka, Troitske and Verkhnyotoretske, where Ukrainian troops became the target of sniper fire. North of Horlivka, the Ukrainian strongholds of Novoselivka and Luhanske were pounded with heavy machine gun fire, grenade launchers and 82mm and 120mm mortars. In the region of Mariupol, heavy shelling was reported at Novotroitske, which became the target of 120mm mortar and 122 self-propelled artillery barrages. The separatists attacked Shyrokyne with heavy machine guns, 82mm mortars and 120mm mortars. Ukrainian troops at Hranitne were harassed with heavy machine gun fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian forces opened fire on Novooleksandrivka with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and 82mm mortars.^[485][486]

On the Hromadske website, the news agency reported at 10 AM local time that Russian forces shelled the Maryinka Checkpoint, west of the city of Petrovka. And, in a statement by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, reportedly pro-Russian forces used grenades and machine guns during the attack.^[487][488]

22 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 46 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 21 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 15 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[489][490][491]} 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 on 21 August.^[492] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 189 times on their positions employing small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and 122mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military fired at Horlivka, Yasynuvata, Vasiliivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Hryhorivka, Leninske and Petrovsky district.^[493] According to sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the truce on three occasions inside the republic's territory. Stankhanov was once again shelled from 152mm self-propelled artillery, while 82mm mortar volleys landed in Kalinivka. Pro-Russian entrenchments at Knyaz Igor memorial were fired at from automatic grenade launchers.^[494]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 19 occasions. The rebels shelled Novobakhmutivka with 122mm self-propelled artillery and Krasnohorivka with 120mm mortars, while Avdiivka, Pisky and Novoselivka became the target of heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers and 82mm mortars. Sniper fire was also reported at Avdiivka. In the region of Mariupol, automatic grenade launchers and 82mm mortars were fired at Ukrainian redoubts near Shyrokyne. Hnutove and Vodyane were shelled from 73mm recoilless antitank guns, while Ukrainian troops at Hranitne were harassed with small arms fire.^[495][496]

23 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 54 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 22 August, including on 22 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[497][498][499]} Eight Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[500] According to pro-Russian officials, their positions were fired at by Ukrainian forces on 290 occasions. The Ukrainian army employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 self-propelled artillery. One rebel soldier was killed and two wounded.^[501] Ukrainian forces shelled Spartak, Yasynuvata, Vasiliivka, Oleksandrivka, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Bezimenne and Petrovsky district.^[502] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded five Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside their boundaries. Pro-Russian positions at Knyaz Igor memorial were struck by 82mm and 120mm mortar volleys. Recoilles antitank guns shelled Smile, while 82mm mortar rounds fired from Luhanske landed in Lohvynove.^[503]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions throughout the day. In the areas around Donetsk city and Horlivka, 120mm mortar volleys landed in Maryinka, while pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Svetlodarsk, which also became the target of 82 mm mortars. The same kind of weapon was used to engage Ukrainian forces at Luhanske.The rebels pounded Ukrainian entrenchments near Verkhnyotoretske with small arms, heay machine guns, rocket launchers and 73mm recoilless antitank guns. In the region of Mariupol, Sionitne was fired at by 152mm self-propelled guns, while 122mm artillery rounds landed in Mirne. Vodyane came under 120mm mortar fire, and pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Hnutove. Ukrainian troops were harassed with heavy machine gun fire at Shyrokyne and small arms fire at Starohnativka.Krymske, in the northern front, was shelled from automatic grenade launchers and 82mm mortars, Ukrainian troops at the nearby villages of Lopaskyne and Zolote received heavy machine gun and small arms fire.^[504][505]

According to information provided by the ATO HQ, pro-Russian troops advanced into the city of Avdiivka Ukrainian forces responded which resulted in three pro-Russian servicemen killed, their 12.7mm machine gun being captured, and eight Ukrainian soldiers wounded.^[506]

24 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 19 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 22 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 7 occasions in Luhansk region.^[507][508] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region on 23 August.^[509] Eduard Basurin, deputy defence minister of Donetsk People's Republic reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 250 occasions on pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery to pound the settlements of Zaitseve, Holmivskiy, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Krutaya Balka, Yasynuvata, Vasiliivka, Molidezhne, Aleksandrovka, Lyubivka, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske and Kirov district.^[510][511] According to authorities from Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven occasion within the republic's territory. Vuhlehirsk was shelled from Troitske with 152mm self-propelled artillery, while 82mm mortar rounds landed in Sanzharivka. Kalinove, meanwhile, was bombarded with 122mm self-propelled artillery firing from Stepne and 82mm mortars from Novozvanivka and Lohvynove received 120mm mortar fire from Luhanske. Ukrainian forces fired automatic grenade launchers at Katerinove, while 82mm mortar volleys struck the village of Smile.^[512]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 43 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, pro-Russian tanks shelled the stronghold of Avdiivka, which also became the target of 82mm and 120mm mortars Mortar barrages of the same caliber also hit the villages of Nevelske and Svetlodarsk. The rebels fired 122mm self-propelled artillery at Troitske and Luhanske, and 82mm mortar volleys landed in Maryinka and Krasnohorivka. In the region of Mariupol, heavy shelling was reported at Shyrokyne, which came under artillery and 120mm mortar fire. Novohryhorivka and Starohnativka were also shelled from 120mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades landed in Vodyane, while Ukrainian soldiers at Novotroitske were the target of sniper fire. In the northern front, pro-Russian tanks attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Krymske, supported by 122mm self-propelled artillery. Ukrainian forces at Kalinove, Popasna, Novozvanivka, Zhelobok and Novotoshkivka came meanwhile under 152mm artillery fire, The rebels fired small arms, sniper fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian outposts at Novooleksandrivka. Heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Zolote.^[513] One Ukrainian volunteer was killed by mortar fire in Zaitseve, north of Horlivka.^[514]

According to the Ukrainian army the artillery fire of the separatist forces of the war in Donbass was the strongest since the February 2015 Battle of Debaltseve.^[515][516] According to Ukrainian defense officials "combined Russian-separatist forces in eastern Ukraine currently have more tanks than the arsenals of France and the United Kingdom put together."^[517]

25 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 85 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 24 August, including on 38 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 22 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 25 occasions in Luhansk Oblast.^{[518][519][520]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[521] Separatist authorities reported two civilian residents killed and eight wounded over the past 24 hours.^[522] The same sources said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 695 occasions on pro-Russian positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery.^[523] The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske, and Petrovsky district.^[522] Luhansk People's Republic officials recorded six Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic's boundaries. Lohvynove became the target of 82mm and 120mm mortars and 122mm self-propelled artillery, while 82mm mortar volleys landed in Molodezhne. Pro-Russian redoubts at Knyaz Igor memorial were shelled from Stanitsya Luhanska with rocket launchers and 82mm mortars.^[524]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions throughout the day. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, the rebels opened fire on Avdiivka with heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, mortars and 122 self-propelled artillery. Arkhanshelsk, 18 km northwest of Avdiivka, also came under 152mm artillery fire. Ukrainian troops at Maryinka were harassed with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske, in the area north of Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, 120mm mortar volleys landed in Pavlopil and Novomyhailivka, and 82mm in Hnutove. Shyrokyne became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Stanitsya Luhanska. Automatic grenade launchers were fired on the village of Novooleksandrivka.^[525][526]

26 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 18 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 21 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region;^{[527][528][529][530]} the fire was returned on several occasions.^[531] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 25 August.^[531] Pro-Russian sources reported five soldiers killed in action and five wounded over the past week. According to them, seven civilians were killed and 26 injured by Ukrainian shelling on the same period.^[532] According to Luhansk People's Republic officials, Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions inside the republic boundaries on four occasions. Knyaz Igor memorial was the target of automatic grenade launchers, while Lohvynove was fired at by 82mm mortars. Ukrainian troops from Novozvanivka also fired automatic grenade launchers at the rebel stronghold of Kalinove.^[533]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the area around Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka came under 82mm and 120mm mortar fire. Mortar volleys also landed in Avdiivka and Pisky, while Ukrainian troops at Maryinka were harassed with small arms and sniper fire. In the region of Horlivka, the rebels fired rocket propelled grenades at Luhanske, and mortars at Zaitseve. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Svetlodarsk. In the surroundings of Mariupol, the separatists pounded Taramchuk, Lebedynske and Shyrokyne with 120mm mortars, Vodyane with 82mm mortars and Berezove with automatic grenade launchers. Small arms fire was reported at Shyrokyne. Heavy shelling was reported at Krymske, in the northern sector of the demarcation line, where Ukrainian outposts became the target of 122mm self-propelled artillery. Pro-Russian forces fired heavy machine guns near Zolote and small arms and rocket propelled grenades at Ukrainian troops in Novozvanivka.^[534] One Ukrainian volunteer was killed at Shyrokyne in the evening.^[535][536] Later in the evening, fighting broke out in the industrial area of Avdiivka.^[537]

The contact group in Minsk proposed a renewed ceasefire agreement to be implemented on 1 September, in coincidence with the first day of the academic year.^[538]

In Vuhledar (48 km south-west of Donetsk) a civilian had been stabbed fatally with a knife allegedly by a member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Aidar battalion.^[539]

27 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 88 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 26 August, including on 37 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city and on 31 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[540][541][542]} 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 the previous day.^[543] Eduard Basurin, deputy defence minister of defence of Donetsk People's Republic, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire 710 times on pro-Russian positions employing small arms, grenade launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Makiivka, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Olenivka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kuybishev and Petrovsky districts.^[544] According to officials from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on eight occasions inside the republic's territory. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles attacked pro-Russian entrenchments at Sanzharivka, and the area of Knyaz Igor memorial was shelled from 82mm and 120mm mortars. Kalinove was the target of automatic grenade launchers firing from Novozvanivka, while 120mm mortar rounds landed in Sokolniki. Ukrainian forces from Luhanske shelled Kalinivka with recoilless antitank guns, and 82mm mortar fire was reported at Frunze.^[545]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions, mainly before 11:00 am. The rebels pounded the Ukrainian stronghlods of Avdiivka and Pisky, in the outskirts of Donetsk city, with small arms and 120mm mortar fire. Nearby Pisky came under heavy artillery fire, and in the area of Horlivka, 120mm mortar rounds landed in Mironovske. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Novohryhorivka received heavy machine gun fire, and the defenders of Talakivka became the target of small arms fire. In the northern front, separatist forces attacked the Ukrainian garrison at Novooleksandrivka with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82mm mortars.^[546][547]

28 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 59 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 26 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[548][549][550]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and four others wounded in action in the Donbass region on 27 August.^[551] Pro-Russian officials denounced that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 297 occasions on rebel positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Horlivka, Holmivskiy, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Sakhanka, Kominternove, Oleksandrivka, Kuybishev and Petrovsky district. Seven civilian residents were wounded.^[552] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported ten Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the republic boundaries. Heavy shelling was reported at Lozove, which was pounded by 82mm mortars and 152mm self-propelled artillery, while 82mm and 120mm mortar volleys landed around rebel positions at Knyaz Igor memorial. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Novozvanivka, supported by 120mm mortar fire, attacked pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove. Pervomaisk was also shelled by armoured fighting vehicles from Popasna.^[553]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks in the area of Donetsk city attacked Ukrainian entrenchments at Avdiivka, which were also hit by 82mm and 120mm mortar barrages. Arkhanshelsk was once again rocked by the explosions of 152mm artillery rounds, and small arms fire was reported at Maryinka. Around Horlivka, armoured fighting vehicles racked Ukrainian redoubts at Svetlodarsk with cannon fire, while Maiorsk and Novoselivka were fired at from heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Novoselivka was also struck by antitank guided missiles. East of Mariupol, 122mm artillery rounds hit the villages of Shyrokyne and Talakivka. Ukrainian troops at Vodyane and Novohryhorivka came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, the rebels fired rocket launchers at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka. Stanitsya Luhanska was the target of machine guns, rocket launchers and 82mm mortars.^[554][555]

29 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 76 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 28 August, including on 37 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[556][557][558]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and nine others were wounded in action in the Donbass region the previous day.^[559] Pro-Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian forces fired upon their positions on 525 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and 122mm self-propelled artillery.^[560] Horlivka, Ozeryanivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Vesele, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Lenin, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district. Two rebel soldiers and four civilians were wounded.^[561] According to sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military committed seven violations of the ceasefire within the republic boundaries. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions around Lohvynove and Kalinivka supported by automatic grenade launchers, 73mm recoilless antitank guns, 82mm and 120mm mortars and 152mm self-propelled artillery. Lobacheve, near Zhovte, was the target of automatic grenade launchers.^[562]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 30 occasions. "Grad" multiple rocket launchers were fired at the Ukrainian stronghold of Krasnohorivka, west of Donetsk city, which was also hit by mortar barrages. The nearby villages of Nevelske and Keramik came under 152mm howitzer fire. Ukrainian troops at Verkhnyotoretske were attacked by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles and snipers. Avdiivka endured a 30-minute shelling from 122mm self-propelled artillery, and Ukrainian entrenchments in the area between Avdiivka and Luhanske, north of Horlivka, came under heavy machine gun, 82mm and 120mm mortar fire. Luhanske itself was shelled by antiaircraft guns and armoured fighting vehicles. In the region of Mariupol, the rebels fired heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and mortars at the coastal town of Shyrokyne. Mortar volleys also landed in Pavlopil, on the east bank of the Kalmius river, while Ukrainian troops at Talakivka received small arms fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Krymske, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka came under rocket launcher fire. Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka also became the target of hostile snipers.^[563][564]

30 August

According to the information provided by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 91 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 46 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 25 occasions in Luhansk region, and on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[565][566][567]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, nine others were wounded, and two contused in action in the Donbass region on 29 August.^[568] Separatist sources said that Ukrainian troops opened fire on pro-Russian forces on 332 occasions with small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, tanks, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sosnovske, Sakhanka, Petrovsky and Kiev districts.^[569] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded 14 violations of the truce by Ukrainian forces within the republic boundaries. The Ukrainian army used automatic grenade launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery to shell the villages of Nyzhne Lozove, Lozove, Lohvynove, Zhovte, Kalinivka, Kalinove and Pervomaisk.^[570]

The ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm rebel troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 33 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Luhanske, in the area around Horlivka. The village was also the target of heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 82mm mortars. Novhorodske and Krasnohorivka were struck by 122mm artillery barrages, and small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire was reported at Maiorsk. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, 120mm mortar volleys landed in Verkhnyotoretske and Pisky. Pisky, along with Avdiivka, was also pounded with machine gun, rocket propelled grenade and 82mm mortar fire. Ukrainian troops at Marinka were harassed with small arms fire, sniper fire and rocket propelled grenades. East of Mariupol, 82mm mortar rounds landed in Shyrokyne. Meanwhile, in the northern section of the demarcation line Novooleksandrivka was fired at on three occasions with small arms, rocket launchers and mortars. The rebels poured heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian troops at Novozvanivka.^[571]

31 August

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 75 occasions on Ukrainian positions on 30 August, including on 24 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 26 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[572][573][574][575]} 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 the previous day.^[576] On the previous night, a grenade launcher attack, followed by mortar fire, near an OSCE patrol base in Shchastya forced its occupants to withdraw.^[577] Pro-Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their podpositions on 404 occasions over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars, tanks, 122mm and 152mm self-propelled artillery to pound rebel positions at Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Oleksandrivka, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske and Sakhanka. One civilian resident was killed and four wounded.^[578][579] Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on eight occasions in the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82mm mortars and 152mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were pro-Russian positions at Vesela Hora, Kalinove, Kalinove-Borshchevate, Knyaz Igor memorial, Pervomaisk and Zhovte.^[580]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 12 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the separatists attacked Avdiivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers, while Ukrainian troops at the nearby strongholds of Verkhnyotoretske and Maryinka were harassed with small arms fire. Small arms fire was also reported in the region of Mariupol, specifically in the villages of Bohdanivka, Shyrokyne, Novotroitske and Starohnativka. In the northern front, Ukrainian troops at Stanitsya Luhanska were engaged with automatic weapons.^[581][582]

September

1 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 25 occasions on Ukrainian troops on 31 August, including on 14 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 10 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and once in Luhansk region.^[583] One Ukrainian soldier was killed the previous morning in a clash with pro-Russian fighters at Bohdanivka, in the region of Mariupol.^[584][585] According to Ukraine's Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak no ceasefire violations were registered during the first nine hours of the first day of September, in observance of the truce proposed by the contact group at Minsk on 26 August.^[586] According to German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier the latest truce deal had sharply reduced military activities.^[587] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last day of August.^[588] According to separatist sources, Ukrainian forces opened fire onpro-Russian positions on 139 occasions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm and 120mm mortars to attack the settlements of Yasynuvata, Zaitseve, Spartak, Sakhanka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk and Petrovsky district.^[589] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic claimed that the Ukrainian army broke the truce agreement on four occasions in the territory of the republic. The Ukrainian forces engaged pro-Russian redoubts at Lohvynove, Kalinivka, Lozove and Nyzhne Lozove with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 73mm recoilless antitank guns.^[590]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 6 occasions; the incidents occurred between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm. Heavy machine gun fire was reported in Luhanske, north of Horlivka.^[591] Meanwhile, 73mm recoilless antitank guns fired at Troitske and Nevelske, in the area around Donetsk city. The stronghold of Avdiivka became the target of small arms fire and automatic grenade launchers.^[592][593]

According to the report published by Bellingcat on 31 August, Wednesday, thousands of Russian servicemen participated in 2014 and 2015 in combat operations and were awarded with medals for their actions.^[594]

2 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 11 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 8 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 3 occasions in the region of Mariupol.^{[595][596][597]} 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 on 1 September.^[598] No ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk Oblast.^[598] Pro-Russian authorities reported six soldiers killed and ten wounded in action over the past week. In addition, eight civilian residents died and forty-six were injured as a result of the Ukrainian shelling.^[599] For the first time in months, Luhansk People's Republic officials recorded no Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic boundaries.^[600]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions once – a Ukrainian outpost at Novoaleksandrivka, Luhansk region, was fired at from small arms, the fire was not returned.^[601][602] From 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Ukrainian positions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and in the region of Mariupol were engaged with automatic grenade launchers, 73mm recoilless antitank guns and 120mm mortars. Small arms fire was reported at Vodyane and Maryinka.^[603]

3 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 11 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 8 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 2 occasions in Luhansk region, and once in the outskirts of Donetsk city.^{[604][605][606]} A Donetsk People's Republic soldier threatened to set-off an anti-personnel mine in front of OSCE monitors near Styla. Both the use of anti-personnel mines and the restriction of the freedom of movement for the monitors are expressly forbidden by the Minsk deals.^[607] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 2 September.^[608] According to pro-Russian sources, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on nine occasions using small arms.^[609] In the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the local authorities reported one violation of the fresh ceasefire agreement when Ukrainian forces engaged rebel positions at Lohvynove with small arms fire.^[610]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions in the regions of Donetsk city and Mariupol, no ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk region. Around Donetsk city, Ukrainian redoubts between Avdiivka and rebel-held Yasynuvata became the target of under-barrel grenade launchers and automatic grenade launchers, while the village of Verkhnyotoretske came under heavy machine gun fire. Sniper activity was reported at Maryinka.^{[611][612][613]}

4 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 16 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 9 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 7 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city; the fire was not returned.^[614][615] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 3 September.^[616][617] Pro-Russian officials denounced 37 Ukrainian attacks on their positions over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles.^[618] Eyewitnesses on the ground also claimed that the Ukrainian army fired 82mm mortar rounds on the village of Sakhanka, east of Mariupol.^[619] According to authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces from Katerinivka fired small arms on pro-Russian troops at Pervomaisk.^[620]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. Around Donetsk city, Ukrainian forces in the area between Avdiivka and Yasynuvata became the target of small arms and rocket launchers. Verkhnyotoretske came under heavy machine gun fire, and Ukrainian troops at Maryinka were harassed by sniper fire. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured vehicles attacked Ukrainian redoubts on the frontline between Shyrokyne and Pavlopil supported by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. No ceasefire violations were recorded at Luhansk Oblast.^{[621][622][623][624]}

5 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 13 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 6 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and once in Luhansk region.^{[625][626][627]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in Avdiivka on 4 September. Four servicemen and a border guard were injured by the explosion of a hand grenade inside a military vehicle.^[539][624] Two servicemen were wounded when an explosive device went off at Krasnohorivka.^[624] A 15-minutes clash between the warring parties took place at Troitske, in the surroundings of Donetsk city, Motuzyanyk added.^[624] Deputy minister of defence of the Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported 49 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122mm self-propelled artillery.^[628] One pro-Russian soldier was severely wounded in action.^[629]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 8 occasions. The rebels engaged Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, and Luhanske, north of Horlivka, with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Mariupol, sniper activity was reported at Shyrokyne.^[630]

6 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 21 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 6 occasions in the region of Mariupol, 4 of them employing heavy weapons^[631] and on 13 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city.^{[632][633][634]} Sixteen wounded Ukrainian servicemen were hospitalised in Kharkiv military hospital.^[635] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, two others and a policeman were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 5 September.^[631] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on their positions on 50 occasions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasynuvata, Kominternove and Petrovsky district.^[636] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces attacked their troops around Knyaz Igor memorial with under-barrel grenade launchers, rocket propelled grenades, armoured personnel carriers and armoured fighting vehicles.^[637] Officer of Ukrainian Marine Corps was killed at Marinka.^[638]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 7 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts between Shyrokyne and Talakivka, in the region of Mariupol, supported by 82mm and 120mm mortar barrages. West of Donetsk, Avdiivka came under heavy machine gun fire, while in the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian troops at Novozvanivka were harassed with small arms fire.^[639][640]

7 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire 21 times on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 15 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 3 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[641][642][643]} 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 on 6 September.^[644] A female civilian was injured when Avdiivka was shelled by rebel forces.^[644] Pro-Russian sources recorded 102 Ukrainian attacks on their positions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122mm self-propelled artillery. The main incidents took place at Yasynuvata, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district.^[645] In the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian troops from Svetlodarsk shelled Lozove with automatic grenade launchers.^[646]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 7 occasions. Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, where the rebels fired heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and 82mm mortars, was the main flashpoint. Ukrainian troops at Hranitne received small arms fire. West of Donetsk city, pro-Russian forces engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. Small arms fire was reported at Avdiivka.^[647][648]

8 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 8 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 9 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[649][650][651]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 7 September.^[652] Pro-Russian officials claimed that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their military positions on 128 occasions employing small arms, rocket launchers, 82mm mortars, 120mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Yasynuvata, Zhabicheve, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Staromyhailivka and Petrovsky district. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action in the outskirts of Donetsk city.^[653] The department of defence of the Luhansk People's Republic reported three Ukrainian attacks inside the boundaries of the self-proclaimed state. Pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial were the target of heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. Ukrainian forces from Luhanske shelled Kalinivka with 73mm recoilless antitank guns. Separatist troops at Hryashchivka received small arms fire from the Ukrainian-held village of Size.^[654] Late in the evening, a rebel outpost near Bezimenne, east of Mariupol, was engaged with 82mm mortar fire.^[655]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, heavy shelling was reported in the villages of Vodyane and Talakivka, which came under 82mm and 120mm mortar fire. Rebel forces fired heavy machine guns and rocket launchers on Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Novotroitske. Around Donetsk city, the separatists shelled Avdiivka with automatic grenade launchers, while Ukrainian troops at Verkhnyotoretske were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Hostile snipers were active in Maryinka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel troops engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers.^[656]

9 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire 24 times on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 11 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 7 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[657][658][659]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 8 September. The casualties occurred at Maryinka.^{[660][661][662]} A member of Donbas Battalion was killed by a mine explosion.^{[663][664][665]} Pro-Russian authorities recorded 526 Ukrainian attacks on their positions over the past week.^[666] No violations of the ceasefire were reported inside the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic.^[667]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 12 occasions. The separatists shelled Shrokyne, east of Mariupol, with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, while in the area west of Donetsk city, Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka and Maryinka became the target of small arms fire and automatic grenade launchers. In the northern front, the rebels engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Novooleksandrivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers.^[668][669]

10 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including 5 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, 10 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and 15 occasions in Luhansk Oblast.^{[670][671][672]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and one wounded in the Donbass region on 9 September. The casualties occurred when an explosive device struck a Ukrainian army firing point at Maryinka.^[673][674] Donetsk People's Republic deputy minister of defence, Eduard Basurin, said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 136 occasions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. There was one incident involving 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Yasynuvata, Vesele, Spartak, Vasiliivka, Oleksandrivka, Sakhanka, Oktyabr and Petrovsky district.^[675] Meanwhile, authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported one Ukrainian violation of the truce when the village of Kalinove became the target of 73mm recoilless antitank guns firing from Novozvanivka.^[676]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops engaged Ukrainian outposts at Vodyane with rocket propelled grenades and harassed Ukrainian troops at Hranitne with small arms fire. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske were fired at from small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. The village of Novozvanivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line, was hit by machine gun fire, rocket propelled grenades and 120 mm mortar rounds.^[677][678]

11 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 14 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 10 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[679][680][681]} 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 on 10 September.^[682] Pro-Russian officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 229 occasions employing small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Most incidents occurred at Shyroka Balka, Yasynuvata, Sakhanka, Oktyabr, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Donetsk airport.^[683] According to the same sources, pro-Russian forces beat off two Ukrainian army patrols attempting to break through the demarcation line at Shyroka Balka. The assault was preceded by a two-hour diversive action on Yasynuvata using small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars.^[684] According to authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire once, when the village of Kalinove came under 82 mm mortar fire from Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka.^[685]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 9 occasions, including on 5 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 4 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city. Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, came under 122 mm self-propelled artillery fire, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in nearby Vodyane. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel forces opened fire on Avdiivka and Luhanske with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers.^[686]

12 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 37 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including 8 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and 9 occasions in Luhansk Oblast.^{[687][688][689]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 11 September.^[690] Separatist sources recorded 108 attacks on their positions over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Vasiliivka, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske and Petrovsky district.^[691] Two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire were reported by authorities of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. According to them, Ukrainian forces from Popasna fired automatic grenade launchers at pro-Russian positions near Kalinove, while militiamen from the "Right Sector" party shelled the pro-Russian checkpoint outside Stanitsya Luhanska.^[692][693]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Novozvanivka, in the northern front, where the rebels also fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Novooleksandrivka was the target of the same weapons. The strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske, around Donetsk city, and Zaitseve and Luhanske, north of Horlivka, came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Luhanske was also struck by 120 mm mortar volleys. Ukrainian troops at Maryinka were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian positions at Vodyane and Hranitne also came under automatic fire from small arms and heavy machine guns.^[694]

13 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 35 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 9 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 10 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[695][696][697]} Six ceasefire violations were registered during the first 6 hours of 13 September.^[698] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed, fifteen wounded, and one remained unaccounted for in action on 12 September (later on the missing serviceman was accounted^[699]). One of the servicemen died as a consequence of heavy shelling at Chermalyk, north of Mariupol, when the village was hit by 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Two others were killed in the course of an engagement with rebel scouts in Stanitsya Luhanska region, at Artema village, on the right bank of the Siverskyi Donets. Five others were wounded and another became missing during the clash.^{[700][701][702][703]} Pro-Russian authorities recorded 79 Ukrainian attacks on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Shyroka Balka, Trudovske, Oleksandrivka and Yasynuvata.^[704] The Donetsk News Agency of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic reported that three separatist fighters were killed^[705] when Ukrainian "special forces" attempted an assault on a rebel checkpoint at Zaitseve.^[706] Earlier, pro-Russian positions there had been engaged by Ukrainian tanks.^[707] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on two occasions within the republic boundaries, when rebel positions at Kalinove were shelled twice with automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars firing from Popasna.^[708]

For the first time since the beginning of the war separatist leader Aleksandr Zakharchenko announced a unilateral cease-fire that would start "at midnight between September 14 and 15".^[709][710] Separatist leader Igor Plotnitsky made a similar announcement.^[711] Zakharchenko also claimed that the Ukrainian government had shown a "lack of willingness to solve the problem in a peaceful manner."^[705] His pre-recorded ceasefire announcement was broadcast on Russian television a few hours after Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko had stated (who would host a meeting with French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier the next day^[712]) that he expects the Ukrainian parliament to vote soon on constitutional amendments granting autonomy to eastern Ukraine as envisioned in the Minsk II treaty.^[710][705]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske became the target of small arms, sniper fire, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades, while heavy shelling from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars was reported at Butivka mining complex. North of Horlivka, rebel troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve and Luhanske. Luhanske also came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured vehicles, supported by rocket launchers, engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, the separatists attacked Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka using small arms, machine guns and grenade launchers.^[713][714]

14 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 56 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 37 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 14 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk Oblast.^{[715][716][717]} 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 on 13 September. The casualties were the result of shelling of Zaitseve from 152 mm field guns by pro-Russian troops.^[718] Separatist authorities announced that the Ukrainian military opened fire on their troops on 585 occasions. The Ukrainian army used small arms, rocket launchers, 73 mm recoilless antitank guns, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and heavy artillery to attack rebel positions at Ozeryanivka, Zaitseve, Krasny Partizan, Makiivka, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Mineralne, Trudovske, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Nikolaevka, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district. Six civilian residents were injured.^[719] The Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire three times within the boundaries of Luhansk People's Republic by firing 120 mm mortar volleys from Novozvanivka on pro-Russian forces at Kalinove.^[720]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 26 occasions in the areas around Donetsk city and Horlivka, the rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Verkhnyotoretske, Zaitseve, Pisky and Luhanske, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Leninske, Avdiivka, Pisky, Zaitseve and Luhanske. In the region of Mariupo, separatist troops opened up on Ukrainian forces at Vodyane with small arms and rocket launchers. Shyrokyne, meanwhile, came under 82 mm mortar fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces harassed Ukrainian trops at Novozvanivka with small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[721] The attacks, as almost all of the previous, were classified by the Ukrainian side as criminal acts, according to the Criminal law of Ukraine (par. 258, a terrorist act).

At a press conference in Kiev German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated "We came with a promise from Moscow that effective [September 15] there will be a truce that will last at least a week."^[722]

15 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 20 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 26 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[723][724][725]} 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 on 14 September.^[726] Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on their positions on 518 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. The Ukrainian army targeted Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Spartak, Makiivka, Donetskiy, Dokuchaievsk, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove and Petrovsky district.^[727] Luhansk People's Republic authorities claimed that Ukrainian forces carried a bomb attack on their border checkpoint in the area of Stanitsya Luhanska. The improvised explosive device was made of a 152 mm artillery shell. No casualties were reported.^[728]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 7 occasions. The separatists opened fire with small arms and heavy machine guns on Avdiivka, Maryinka and Novozvanivka. There were no incidents involving heavy weapons.^[729]

The German and French foreign ministers visited Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine.^[730][731] According to the report published by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights the documented death toll has risen to 9,640.^[732][733]

16 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 12 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 16 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 2 occasions in Luhansk Oblast. The rebels used only infantry weapons like machine guns and rocket launchers.^{[734][735][736]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and one was contused in action in the Donbass region on 15 September.^[737] Donetsk People's Republic officials reported the death of four of their soldiers and injuries in seven civilian residents over the past week.^[738]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, the separatists engaged Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Toretske and Butivka mining complex with rocket propelled grenades. Small arms and heavy machine gun fire was also reported at Avdiivka, Maryinka and Zaitseve. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, Novotroitske and Talakivka were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novoaleksandrivka came under small arms fire.^[739][740]

17 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 10 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 16 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region. The rebels used only infantry weapons like machine guns and rocket launchers.^{[741][742][743]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 16 September.^[744] Two civilians were also killed in Avdiivka.^[744] One of the six wounded soldiers died of wounds later in a hospital.^[745] Pro-Russian sources reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire 53 times on their positions. The Ukrainian military employed small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The Ukrainian army engaged rebel redoubts at Yasynuvata, Zaitseve, Horlivka, Sakhanka, Petrovsky district and Gagarin mining complex.^[746] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic reported that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on eight occasions over the past week by firing small arms, heavy machine guns, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars.^[747] Olga Kobtseva, chief negotiator of the Luhansk People's Republic for the release of prisoners, announced the transfer of two detainees accused of sabotage in exchange for four civilians arrested by Ukrainian authorities.^[748] This was the first prisoners' exchange in eight months.^[749]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 13 occasions. The main flashpoint was the industrial area of Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, where Ukrainian redoubts were engaged with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Nearby Verkhnyotoretske and Maryinka came under heavy machine gun fire. Pavlopil, Talakivka and Shyrokyne, in the region of Mariupol, were the target of small arms and heavy machine gun fire.^[750][751]

18 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 26 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 12 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 14 occasions in the region of Mariupol. The rebels made use of banned heavy weapons; 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka, while 82 mm mortars and antiaircraft guns were fired at Nyzhne Lozove, in the area of Horlivka. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Talakivka, east of Mariupol.^{[752][753][754]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in action in the Donbass region on 17 September.^[755] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy defence minister, said that Ukrainian forces attacked pro-Russian positions on 90 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The targets were Yasynuvata, Spartak, Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Zaryanove and Petrovsky district.^[756] Basurin also reported that two Ukrainian BTR 80 armoured personnel carriers were beaten off during an assault attempt on rebel entrenchments.^[757] Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic claimed that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire within the republic boundaries on two occasions, when Lozove and Nyzhne Lozove came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire.^[758]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 6 occasions. The industrial area of Avdiivka was once again the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Maryinka came under small arms, sniper and machine gun fire. Pavlopil, north of Mariupol, was the target of the same kind of weapons.^[759]

19 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 9 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 6 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[760][761][762]} 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 on 18 September.^[763] According to pro-Russian officials, Ukrainian troops opened fire on separatist forces on 47 occasions with rocket launchers and light weapons. The main incidents took place at Yasynuvata, Horlivka, Zaitseve and Petrovsky district.^[764] No violations of the ceasefire were reported within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.^[765]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 10 occasions. Shyrokyne and Pavlopil, in the region of Mariupol, came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske, west of Donetsk city, were attacked with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the northern front, rebel forces engaged Ukrainian outposts at Novooleksandrivka with small arms fire.^[766]

According to the head physician of the Dnipropetrovsk regional hospital, Mechnikov's intensive care unit of the hospital is full of wounded soldiers.^[767]

20 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 10 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 8 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[768][769][770]} 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 on 19 September.^[771][772] The casualties occurred in the region of Avdiivka, where two servicemen were injured by explosion of a booby trap, the third received a gunshot wound.^[771][772] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy defence minister, said that Ukrainian forces attacked pro-Russian positions on 53 occasions using small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military attacked Horlivka, Zaitseve, Zheleznaya Balka and Petrovsky district.^[773] No violations of the truce were reported by the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic.^[774]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 5 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian forces at Zaitseve and Luhanske, in the area of Horlivka. Zaitseve was also the target of small arms, rocket launchers and 120 mm mortars. West of Donetsk city, the rebels fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on Ukrainian redoubts at Maryinka. To the south, in the region of Mariupol, Starohnativka was attacked by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles supported by small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at nearby Pavlopil also came under the fire of light infantry weapons and rocket launchers.^[775][776]

21 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 13 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 8 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city.^{[777][778][779]} Pro-Russian officials reported 46 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. The Ukrainian military fired upon Zaitseve, Yasynuvata, Oleksandrivka, Staromyhailivka and Petrovsky district with rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars.^[780] No Ukrainian attacks were reported inside the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.^[781] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 20 September.^[782]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 8 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the rebels engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka and Maryinka with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. North of Horlivka, 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Zaitseve. Starohnativka, in the region of Mariupol, came under light weapons and rocket propelled grenade fire. Small arms fire was reported in Novooleksandrivka, in the northern front.^[783]

The contact group in Minsk agreed to replace the current demarcation line with three security zones around Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhanske and Petrovske.^[784]

22 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 5 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 8 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and once in Luhansk region.^{[785][786][787]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was injured by explosion of a booby trap in the Donbass region on 21 September.^[788] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy defence minister, reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 61 occasions on pro-Russian positions using small arms, rocket launchers and mortars. The main targets were Zaitseve, Oleksandrivka, Zhabicheve, Yasynuvata, Vasylivka, Dokuchaievsk and Petrovsky district. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded in action.^[789] Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded no ceasefire violations within the republic's borders.^[790]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on five occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka and Zaitseve were the target of small arms and rocket launchers. Avdiivka came also under 82 mm mortar fire. In the region of Mariupol, small arms fire was reported at Taramchuk and Starohnativka. Hostile snipers harassed Ukrainian troops around Taramchuk.^[791]

The United States House of Representatives has backed legislation that calls for supplying Ukraine with lethal weaponry in its fight against Russia and separatists in the eastern Donbas region.^[792]

23 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 21 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 10 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 7 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region. Avdiivka and Novoselivka, around Donetsk city, came under 82 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian entrenchments at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line, were engaged by pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles.^{[793][794][795]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that no Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Donbass region on 22 September, one Ukrainian soldier was wounded by a pro-Russian sniper near Taramchuk, Marinka Raion of Donetsk Oblast.^[796] Pro-Russian authorities recorded 424 violations of the ceasefire by Ukrainian forces over the past week.^[797] According to officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire within the boundaries of the republic on three occasions, when Kalinove was attacked from Popasna, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 122 mm self-propelled artillery.^[798]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm rebel forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. Around Donetsk city, pro-Russian forces attacked Ukrainian redoubts at Avdiivka with Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns. Avdiivka, along with Verkhnyotoretske and Novoselivka, was also the target of small arms fire. Ukrainian troops at Maryinka came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian forces at Pavlopil, Starohnativka and Talakivka were fired at from small arms, snipers and rocket launchers. In the northern front, Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka were shelled from Zu-23-2 antiaircraft guns and 82 mm mortars.^[799]

24 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 28 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 13 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 11 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region.^[800][801] The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 23 September.^{[802][803][804]} Pro-Russian officials reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 87 occasions on their positions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The targets were Yasinuvata, Zaitseve, Horlivka and Petrovsky district. In the case of Horlivka, pro-Russian forces were engaged by armoured fighting vehicles and mortars from Maiorsk.^[805] Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic reported one violation of the ceasefire by Ukrainian troops. the incident took place when rebel positions around Knyaz Igor memorial came under small arms fire from Stanitsya Luhanska.^[806]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, rebel forces opened fire on Avdiivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers, while 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Pisky. Maryinka became the target of rocket propelled grenades. In the region of Mariupol, Novotroitske and Taramchuk came under small arms and heavy machine gun fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka was attacked with rocket launchers.^[807] A male civilian was shot and wounded in his home yard in Avdiivka at around 1:00 pm.^[808]

25 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 29 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 12 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 12 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[809][810][811][812]} 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 on 24 September.^[813] Separatist officials denounced that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 130 occasions on their positions. The Ukrainian military used small arms, rocket launchers 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Sources from the Donetsk People's Republic also reported a 122 mm artillery attack on Donetsk airport. Other locations who came under Ukrainian fire were Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Yasinuvata, Mineralne, Oleksandrivka and Petrovsky district.^[814] Inside the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian forces from Stanitsya Luhanska opened small arms fire for the second consecutive day at pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial. In the same area, Luhansk People's Republic militias claimed that a Ukrainian drone was brought down and captured near Devaltseve on its way to carry out an airstrike on Luhansk city, the republic's capital.^[815]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 7 occasions. Rebel troops attacked the Ukrainian stronghold of Avdiivka, west of Donetsk city, with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at nearby Marinka came under small arms fire. The same kind of weapons were fired at Pavlopil, in the region of Mariupol. In the northern section of the demarcation line, harassing fire was reported at Novozvanivka, while Ukrainian entrenchments at Popasna were the target of antitank guided missiles.^[816]

26 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 14 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 5 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 3 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[817][818][819]} 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 on 25 September. The casualties occurred in Avdiivka.^[820] Eduard Basurin, Donetsk People's Republic deputy defence minister, reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on 131 occasions on pro-Russian troops using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and tanks. The targets were Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Krasny Partizan, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk and a rebel-controlled checkpoint near Maiorsk. Pro-Russian positions at Yasinuvata were engaged by Ukrainian tanks.^[821][822] There were no Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic.^[823]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 13 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Starohnativka. The latter, along with the village of Pavlopil, was also the target of small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. in the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, Ukrainian troops received small arms and antitank rocket fire at Avdiivka, Verkhnyotoretske and Zaitseve. Sniper teams fired on Ukrainian forces at Maryinka. Novozvanivka, in the northern front, came once again under small arms fire.^[824] Later in the night, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, attacked the Ukrainian strongholds of Zaitseve and Nyzhne Lozove, north of Horlivka.^[825]

27 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 40 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 12 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 18 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region.^{[826][827][828]} 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 on 26 September.^[829] Pro-Russian authorities reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 46 occasions on their positions. The Ukrainian forces used small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars on Zaitseve, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Petrovsky district and the rebel checkpoint near Maiorsk.^[830] Sources from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic recorded two Ukrainian attacks within the republic boundaries, when pro-Russian positions at Knyaz Igor memorial became the target of under-barrel and automatic grenade launchers firing from Stanitsya Luhanska.^[831]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 15 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Talakivka, which also became the target of small arms fire. The rebels also used small arms to harass Ukrainian troops at Vodyane. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, Avdiivka was fired at from small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Harassing fire from small arms was also reported at Maryinka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka came under small arms fire.^[832]

28 September

The Ukrainian military reported that pro-Russian forces opened fire on their positions in the Donbass region on 35 occasions over the past 24 hours, including 23 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, 6 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and 6 occasions in Luhansk region.^[833] No Ukrainian casualties were reported.^[834] According to Donetsk People's Republic authorities, Ukrainian troops opened fire on 204 occasions on pro-Russian positions. The Ukrainian military emloyed small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks to attack Yasinuvata, Spartak, Krutaya Balka, Sehnalne, Sakhanka, Oleksandrivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Dokuchaievsk and Petrovsky district.^[835] In the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska engaged pro-Russian positions at Knyaz Igor Memorial, supported by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades.^[836]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm separatist troops had broken the ceasefire on 14 occasions. In the region of Donetsk, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles opened fire on Ukrainian positions near Novhorodske, which also became the target of antiaircraft artillery firing in direct mode. Avdiivka, Maryinka and Verkhnetoretske came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Hostile snipers were active at Maryinka. The rebels also shelled Avdiivka from 82 mm mortars. in the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian forces fired small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers at Ukrainian redoubts around Talakivka, Vodyane, Starohnativka and Shyrokyne. Sniper fire was also reported at Shyrokyne. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Ukrainian troops at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka received harassing fire from small arms and heavy machine guns.^[837]

29 September

The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 25 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 8 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, on 8 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region, where pro-Russian armoured vehicles shelled Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka.^{[838][839][840]} The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 28 September.^[841] Donetsk People's Republic officials said that Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 123 occasions. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Petrovsky district and Maiorsk checkpoint. For the second consecutive day, Ukrainian tanks engaged pro-Russian redoubts at Yasinuvata, which also became the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Mortar volleys also landed in Oleksandrivka and Petrovsky, while small arms, rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles were used elsewhere. Authorities from the self-styled Luhansk People's republic reported that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire inside the territory of the republic on two occasions, when Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Stanitsya Luhanska, supported by small arms fire, attacked separatist positions at Igor Knyaz memorial.^[842] The same sources said that their troops began the withdrawal from the security areas around Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote, where they removed observation posts and minefields.^[843]

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne received harassing fire from small arms. In the outskirts of Donetsk, the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske became the target of small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, small arms and heavy machine gun fire was reported at Novozvanivka and Popasna.^[844][845]

30 September

The spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters reported in the morning, that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 33 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 11 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 10 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 12 occasions in Luhansk region.^[846][847] 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 on 29 September. The casualties occurred north of Donetsk city, at Verkhnyotoretske.^[848] During the first nine hours of 30 September nine violations of ceasefire by pro-Russian troops were registered by Ukrainian military; the fire was returned on several occasions.^[849] Pro-Russian officials from the self-styled Donetsk People's republic claimed that Ukrainian troops broke the truce on 863 occasions over the past week.^[850] Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire within the republic boundaries on three occasions. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Novoselivka shelled the settlement of Kalinove-Borshchevate, which also became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars. Meanwhile, Vesela Hora was struck by 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Troitske. Armoured fighting vehicles from Novozvanivka engaged pro-Russian redoubts at Kalinove supported by 120 mm mortar fire.^[851]

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 16 occasions. Ukrainian troops at Avdiivka, Maryinka, Kamyanka and Verkhnyotoretske, around Donetsk city, were engaged with small arms, heavy machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The same kind of weapons were used by the rebels against Ukrainian positions at Zaitseve, north of Horlivka. In the region of Mariupol, Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Shyrokyne and Starohnativka came under small arms fire. In the northern front, Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka received small arms and heavy machine gun fire. Sniper fire was also reported at Novooleksandrivka.^[852]

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