Ukraine War Update - 23 July 2015

Thursday, July 23, 2015  9:13 AM PDT

SBU exposes Ukrainian company that helped repair Russian tanks

   (Zik) --- In Khmelnytsky, SBU agents exposed a state-run company whose experts helped the Russians to repair tank fire control systems, SBU press service reports July 23.

   Company experts went on business trips to Russia to service and repair the tank systems. The company hasn't received any permission from export control agencies to provide such services, SBU says.

   SBU has already blocked the contacts of this company with Russian contractors and started a criminal investigation which may end in 3 years in jail for Ukrainian experts and company managers. 

Thursday, July 23, 2015  7:00 AM PDT

Militants concentrated considerable forces at front line: attacks recorded all around Horlivka, - ATO speaker.

   (Censor.NET) --- Pro-Russian terrorists used heavy weapons even in the daytime.

   This information was made public by Presidential Administration Speaker on ATO Oleksandr Motuzianyk at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.

   Motuzianyk said: "The situation at the Luhansk direction remains relatively calm. The enemy only once employed mortars against our positions in Krymske. The militants used small arms and grenade launchers to attack Stanytsia Luhanska, Shchastia, and Zolote villages.

   "The illegal armed groups kept conducting mortar and artillery strikes on our positions on the first and second lines of defense near Svitlodarsk at the Donetsk direction. We emphasize that the militants have opened fire in the daytime as well.

   "The enemy fire could be heard all around Horlivka, but the most difficult situation was near Novhorodske village where the enemy has twice shelled the fortifications of the ATO forces from 122-mm guns.

   "The situation in the area north-west of Donetsk is hard. This is the very section of the front from Avdiivka to Marinka where about two thirds of all facts of cease-fire violations are committed by the enemy. The terrorists have concentrated considerable forces on the front line, including heavy weapons. In particular, there are less than four kilometers between the artillery battery deployed in Putyliv woods and the line of contact. The ATO forces hold the perimeter and the front line remains stable in spite of the heavy fire of the enemy. Unfortunately, civilians have been wounded again as a result of frequent enemy attacks. There is information on at least three such cases.

   The Mariupol direction remains calm. Only two short-term armed provocations by the illegal armed groups have been recorded in Shyrokyne.

   Eight flights of enemy drones were recorded in the ATO area yesterday. One more UAV of the aggressor state penetrated into Ukraine's airspace in Sumy region.

Thursday, July 23, 2015  2:29 AM PDT

Government agents catch 21 trucks with contraband food for Donbas rebels

   (Zik) --- SBU, prosecutors and activists in a night operation captured 21 trucks with contraband food and alcohol for Donbas rebels, SBU press center reports July 23.

   The drivers had UAH60,000 ($3,000) they planned to bribe the Ukrainian border guards for a free passage to the rebel-held territories.

   In Kyiv, SBU captured the organizer of contraband operation.

   The contrabandists face prison terms between 3 and 8 years and the confiscation of their vehicles.