Ukraine War Update - 27 June 2015

Saturday, June 27, 2015  7:33 AM PDT

Stanytsia Luhanska was shelled with mortars. One civilian killed – Moskal

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists fired at Stanytsia Luhanska village from mortars. One civilian was killed, houses are destroyed. The village was left without electricity, water and central communications.

   Censor.NET reports citing head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration Hennadii Moskal official website.

   According to the report, the militants fired at the village from mortars, small arms and anti-tank guided missiles. The most intense attacks were carried out from 8:30 p.m. till the midnight.

   "Two private houses got a direct hit and burned down. Unfortunately, there are casualties among civilians. Local woman was killed in the attack," Moskal said.
   Hennadii Moskal has also informed that Stanytsia Luhanska village and eight nearby villages were left without water and communications.

Saturday, June 27, 2015  5:54 AM PDT

SBU detained seven trucks with goods for ‘DPR’ terrorists. PHOTOS

   (Censor.NET) --- Yesterday, the SBU together, with State Fiscal Service of Ukraine, detained seven tracks near Sukha Balka village in the Donetsk region.

   Censor.NET reports citing the SBU press service.

   According to the report, the tracks were trying to cross the demarcation line illegally, avoiding official checkpoints.
   "Six of the tracks were transporting meat products, while one was loaded with medications. The drivers were not able to provide the SBU officers with proper papers on the cargo," the statement reads.

According to the operational data, the goods were ordered by one of the 'DPR' leader, who intended to sell them to the local population at artificially high prices.

Saturday, June 27, 2015  4:14 AM PDT

Canada to start military exercises in Ukraine in autumn

   KIEV, June 27 (Ukrinform). --- Canada will begin military exercises of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in autumn, and they will last two years.

   Ukrainian Defense Minister, Colonel-General Stepan Poltorak said this after a meeting with Canadian Minister of National Defence and Minister for Multiculturalism Jason Kenney at the International Center of Peace and Security in the Lviv region, the press service of the Defense Ministry reported.

   "These military exercises will begin this autumn and will last for the next two years," Poltorak said.

   According to him, such exercises will allow Ukrainian servicemen to gain new knowledge in accordance with NATO standards, and Canada's coaches will be able to borrow the Ukrainian experience gained during war fighting in the ATO zone.

Saturday, June 27, 2015  4:12 AM PDT

Hungry for Power: Luhansk electricity plant key target for Kremlin forces

   (uatoday.tv) --- The thermal power plant supplies key local industry and some one million inhabitants

   Power plants like this one in Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, are a key target for Russian-backed militants. The complex is capable of supplying electricity for at least a million people and is vital for local industry, including coal mines and steel manufacturers.

   Whoever controls the thermal power station, has control of where the energy goes. Ukrainian forces well aware of this, defend the complex.

   It's situated just one kilometer from the combat line, near the town of Schastya, north of the militant stronghold of Luhansk.

   The plant runs at limited capacity. The specific type of coal needed to generate the electricity is only extracted in militant-controlled areas.

   Despite this, work inside goes on, despite the threat of attacks. Artillery fired from areas controlled by the Russian-backed militant authorities often land in and around the complex.

   We take the elevator to the top of one building, where serviceman are on alert, surveying kilometers of picturesque landscape. The Ukrainian soldiers here say they're provoked by militant units, who fire long-range artillery towards thermal power plant. The opposing forces also conduct other operations, as one fighter nicknamed ‘Emigrant' explained to us.

   'Emigrant', Ukrainian soldier: "They send a reconnaissance group closer to our positions, 400-500 meters from us and they begin to shoot using rifles, grenade launchers and so on. They are waiting for our response with fire and, (Russian TV broadcaster) LifeNews and other television crews are waiting there together with them"

Saturday, June 27, 2015  3:54 AM PDT

No casualties reported in ATO area in past 24 hours

   KIEV, June 27 (Ukrinform). --- No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but five were wounded in the area of conduct of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) over past 24 hours.

   Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, five soldiers were wounded for past 24 hours," Lysenko said.

Saturday, June 27, 2015  2:37 AM PDT

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   KIEV, June 27 (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 June 27 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Saturday, June 27, 2015  1:08 AM PDT

Terrorists intensified attacks at Mariupol

   (Censor.NET) --- The Russian militants attacked the Army for about 91 times over the past 24 hours.

   Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.

   According to the report, the terrorists have intensified their attacks along the whole collision line on June 26.
   In particular, 55 attacks were registered in the D sector. Pisky, Krasnohorivka, Marinka, Opytne, Pervomaiske villages and Avdiivka town were shelled with 120-mm mortars.

   The villages of Pisky, Nevelske and Krasnohorivka were fired from 122-mm guns. The terrorists' tanks fired at the village of Vodiane.
   Stanytsia Luhanska village was shelled with 82-mm mortars and grenade launchers in the Luhansk sector.
   In the ​​A sector, the villages of Lozove and Maiorske were fired from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
   "Mariupol became the hottest spot yesterday. Russian militants fired at Shyrokyne and Starohnativka villages from banned 122-mm and 152-mm howitzers. Besides, the militants' tanks fired at the village of Starohnativka," the statement reads.
   The militants continued to attack Ukrainian army's positions after the midnight, violating the Minsk agreements for about 15 times.