Ukraine War Update – 30-31 May 2015

Sunday, May 31, 2015  5:43 AM PDT

Azov reports about ongoing fight in Shyrokyne, another battle under way near Triokhizbenka

   (UNIAN) --- Fighting in the village of Shyrokyne, near the Ukrainian-controlled city of Mariupol in Donetsk region, is under way at the moment; Russian-backed militants are firing on Ukrainian troops from small arms, according to Press Secretary of the Azov Regiment Oleksandr Alferov, 112.ua reported.

   The situation in Shyrokyne is difficult despite the Orthodox holiday Pentecost / Photo from facebook.com/ato.news

   "At the moment, we hear gunfire again… The day isn't calm today," Alferov said.

   According to him, the situation is difficult today despite the fact that the Ukrainians mark the Orthodox holiday Pentecost on Sunday.

   "The terrorists continue firing from heavy machine guns. Therefore, the situation is tense, despite the holiday," he added.

   Another severe fighting is under way near the village of Triokhizbenka in Luhansk region.

   The battle near a destroyed bridge in Triokhizbenka has been lasting since 1100 Kiev time on Sunday, spokesman for the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters in Luhansk region Ruslan Tkachuk told Channel 5. Militants are using small arms and rifle-attached grenade launchers.

   What is more, the enemy started shelling the outskirts of the town of Schastia shortly after Sunday noon, using 82mm-caliber mortars and heavy machine guns.
Sunday, May 31, 2015  5:31 AM PDT

Russian army’s ration pack found near Mariupol.

   (Censor.NET) --- Mariupol residents have found ration pack labeled ‘Russian Army' during a visit to their relatives lose to Novoazovsk town.

   Censor.NET reports citing 0626
   There are food supply problems in the 'DPR'-controlled territories. That's why a lot of Mariupol families are trying to help their relatives on occupied territories.  During one of such visits, Russian army's ration pack (made by Moscow Voentorg Company) has been found.
   As you can see on the photos, the ration pack consists of a variety of canned rations, biscuits, chocolate, jam, applesauce and devices for food heating.

Sunday, May 31, 2015  4:01 AM PDT

One soldier killed and one more wounded over past 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- On May 30, one Ukrainian soldier was killed in fighting within the anti-terrorist operation in the Donbas.

   Speaker of the Presidential Administration in the ATO matters, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk informed at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "One Ukrainian soldier was killed and one wounded," he said.

Sunday, May 31, 2015  3:20 AM PDT

Azov battalion soldier wounded in Shyrokyne

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists shelled Azov battalion’s positions in Shyrokyne, at 9.30 p.m. on May 30.

   Censor.NET reports citing Azov Vkontakte page

   According to the report, the shelling lasted for about 40 minutes. One Azov soldier was wounded in the attack.
   Dmytro Horbunov, the M sector press officer, confirmed that the positions of Ukrainian soldiers at Shyrokyne village were shelled with grenade launchers, 82-mm and 120-mm mortars. Moreover, a terrorists' drone was spotted in the M sector for the first time over the last two days.

Sunday, May 31, 2015  2:17 AM PDT

Civilian wounded in terrorist shelling of Shchastia

   (Censor.NET) --- Yesterday, the militants continued shelling the town of Shchastia with different types of weapons from Vesela Hora village.

   A mine nearly hit an apartment house on Enerhetyky street in Shchastia, Censor.NET reports citing the official website of the head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Hennadii Moskal.
   According to him, a local 66-year-old man was injured by shrapnel. He was taken to the hospital. There is no threat to his life.

   "Over the night, Shchstia was shelled from automatic grenade launchers, mortars, and small arms. The militants also fired at the area near the bridge over Siverskyi Donets River where Ukrainian troops are located. There is no information about killed or wounded," the report reads.
   Last night fighting was reported in Stanytsia Luhanska (shelling from machine-guns, mortars, and anti-tank grenade launchers), Krymske (local shootouts) and on Bahmutka highway near the 29th checkpoint (automatic shooting, sporadic explosions).

Sunday, May 31, 2015  1:48 AM PDT

Saakashvili promises making Odessa capital of Black Sea region

   (Interfax) --- The newly appointed head of Odessa Regional Administration Mikheil Saakashvili has promised to make Odessa the capital of the Black Sea region.

   "Odessa is the city with the potential that was unused as much as nowhere else. This is not weakness, this is a unique opportunity… This is the city and the region where many things can be done and everything will be possible," Saakashvili said, addressing Odessa region officials.

   He said that the core potential of Odessa is people. He said that it is honor for him to work in Odessa and with Odessa residents.

Saakashvili said that Odessa needs serious changes.

   "New rules are required, as well as new people and new directions to bring more tourists to Odessa and more investors, which is even more important," he said.

   He said that the main task is to leave artificial and forced conflicts in the past.

Saakashvili said that with people who have not only experience of work, "but also experience of deency and patriotism, we will build new Ukraine."

   "People think about relaxation in Odessa, but I came here not to relax, I don't have time. I will work and I invite everyone to work together so that people feel that something is really changed, as everyone is annoyed with talks – everyone needs changes. When they see them, then they believe in them," he said.

Sunday, May 31, 2015  1:39 AM PDT

Withdrawn heavy weapons disappear from holding sites – OSCE

   (Censor.NET) --- Movement of weapons violates the Minsk withdrawal lines.

   Latest report of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine as of 7.30 p.m. on May 29 reads, Censor.NET reports.
   The SMM observed discrepancies of recorded heavy weapons at a number of Ukrainian Armed Forces, 'DPR' and 'LPR' holding areas.
   The Mission found nine multiple launch rocket systems MLRS (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) missing from the 'LPR' holding sites, while six self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) and two D-30 towed howitzers (122mm) were missing from the 'DPR' holding areas. 'DPR' members nearby told the SMM that the weapons had temporarily been moved to a training area south of Ternove. The Mission stressed that movement of heavy weapons from the holding areas is non-compliant with the Minsk withdrawal lines.
   The observers stressed that their monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations. The SMM remained unable to travel to Shyrokyne due to security considerations.
   The SMM observed a continuing increase in the number of ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk airport. Over a seven-hour period from an observation point at the city's central railway station (8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard a total of 179 explosions on 29 May (compared to 150 on 28 May, 13 on 27 May, and 73 on 26 May and 170 on 25 May).

Sunday, May 31, 2015  12:17 AM PDT

Clashes reported near Mykolaivka and Troitske

   (Censor.NET) --- Provocations by Russian-terrorist groups continued from 6 p.m. yesterday until Trinity Sunday morning.

   The most intense shelling was observed in the Donetsk sector, Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.
   The terrorists fired at Opytne, Pisky, Novotroitske, Marinka, and Hranite with different types of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine guns. At night, Ukrainian troops clashed with sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the militants near Mykolaivka. The criminals were forced to retreat.
   In the Artemivsk sector, Kirove and Zolote were mortared and shelled with rocket-propelled grenades. A clash was reported near Troitske.
   In the Luhansk sector, the terrorists fired at Zolote-4 and Stanytsia Luhanska from automatic grenade launchers. In the Mariupol sector, they fired at Shyrokyne with small arms and mortars three times. After 11 p.m., combat silence was observed there.

Saturday, May 30, 2015  9:11 AM PDT

Terrorists continue destroying Shyrokyne

   (Censor.NET) --- Pro-Russian militants fired at ATO forces' positions in Shchastia, Shyrokyne, and near Donetsk on May 30.

   Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center on Facebook.
   "The situation in the Donbas remained tense from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fire is reported in the Luhansk, Donetsk, and Mariupol sector. Shchastia town (Luhansk region) was shelled from heavy machine guns and small arms, while Shyrokyne was shelled from automatic grenade launchers," the report reads.
   In the Donetsk sector, Pisky and Hranitne were shelled with 122mm artillery and 120mm mortars. The terrorists fired at Avdiivka with automatic mounted grenade launchers. Sniper fire was also reported there.
   "In Pisky village, automatic mounted grenade launchers, the criminals fired with automatic mounted grenade launchers, sniper rifles, and small arms. The militants continued destroying Shyrokyne (Mariupol sector) using automatic grenade launchers and small arms," the press center added.

Saturday, May 30, 2015  8:03 AM PDT

OSCE observers saw armed child at 'DPR' checkpoint

   (Censor.NET) --- The militants of the self-proclaimed 'DPR' involve children in their activities.

   This was announced at today's briefing of the Presidential Administration ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko, who cited the SMM OSCE report as of May 28, Censor.NET writes.
   "At a checkpoint on the outskirts of 'DPR'-controlled Makiivka (10km east of Donetsk), the SMM observed a child, approximately 12-14 years old, wearing a camouflage uniform and holding an AK-47 rifle. The boy was guarding one of the checkpoints at the entrance to the town," Lysenko said.

Saturday, May 30, 2015  8:03 AM PDT

   ‘DPR’ leader Zakharchenko is reported to have health issues - OSCE

   (UTR.TV) --- This was reported by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) on May 28, Censor.NET informs citing Liga.

   Alexander Zakharchenko, the "prime minister" of the 'DPR' told the SMM that he was unavailable to attend meetings outside the country until the end of July due to health reasons.
   It was reported earlier that 'DPR' leader Alexander Zakharchenko and his 'LPR' counterpart Igor Plotnitsky have ignored meeting with a contact group in Minsk. 

Saturday, May 30, 2015  7:07 AM PDT

Two columns of armoured vehicles entered Donbas over past 24 hours

   (UTR.TV) --- Over the past 24 hours, dozens of Russian armoured vehicles crossed the border illegally.

   Channel 5, Censor.NET reports.

   "In reference to the border, two vehicles column have crossed it over the past 24 hours. And I'm not talking about the next 'humanitarian' convoy. What I am talking about are two columns of armoured vehicles, which means dozens of vehicles. The terrorists are definitely expanding military might," Halushko said. 

Saturday, May 30, 2015  6:09 AM PDT

Saakashvili becomes Ukrainian citizen – decree

   (Interfax) --- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree on admission of Ukrainian citizenship to Mikheil Saakashvili.

   According to a decree posted on the president's website on Saturday on admission of Ukrainian citizenship to Saakashvili as a person the admission of Ukrainian citizen for whom is of Ukraine's state interest, Saakashvili, born in Georgia and living in Kiev, acquires Ukrainian citizenship.

Saturday, May 30, 2015  4:52 AM PDT

Militants launch 14 attacks on ATO forces for past 24 hours

   KIEV, May 30 (Ukrinform). --- Militants continue to use mortars, grenade launchers, small arms, as well as weapons, prohibited by the Minsk agreements.

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the anti-terrorist operation, Colonel Andriy Lysenko, has said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "Over past 24 hours, 120-mm mortars were used to launch seven attacks, 122-mm artillery was used to launch five attacks, while Russian mercenaries used tanks twice," he said.

   According to Lysenko, the tensest situation remains in Donetsk direction: "The large number of attacks coming from various types of weapons recorded near the Donetsk airport, on the outskirts of Horlivka and south-west of Donetsk."

Saturday, May 30, 2015  3:45 AM PDT

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   KIEV, May 30 (Ukrinform). --- The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense. Despite the declared ceasefire, Russian-backed terrorists continue to fire at Ukrainian army positions and settlements in Donbas.

   The map reflecting the situation in Donbas as of 12.00 on May 30 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Saturday, May 30, 2015  3:31 AM PDT

Four Ukrainian servicemen wounded in ATO area for past 24 hours

   KIEV, May 30 (Ukrinform). --- No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, four were wounded as a result of fighting in the ATO area for past 24 hours.

   Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the anti-terrorist operation, Colonel Andriy Lysenko, has said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, four were wounded in the ATO area for past 24 hours," the spokesman said.