Ukraine War Update - 31 July 2015

Friday, July 31, 2015  3:25 AM PDT

Two Ukrainian soldiers killed, seven wounded over past day, - ATO speaker

   (Zik) --- Two soldiers were killed and seven were injured in the course of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) on July 30.

This was announced by the Presidential Administration speaker on ATO matters Andrii Lysenko at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.

"Over the past day, we lost two our soldiers in active combat activities, another seven received injuries," he said.

Friday, July 31, 2015  3:22 AM PDT

105 attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions recorded overnight, a record number this month, - NSDC

   (Censor.NET) --- The Russian terrorist groups attacked the Ukrainian forces’ positions 105 times overnight using banned large-caliber artillery systems, which killed two soldiers and injured five more. This is the largest number of daily assaults committed in July.

   The press service of the National Security and Defense Council draws the attention of the international observers and official representatives of the OSCE to the rapid growth in the number of cases of attacks on Ukrainian troops' positions and peaceful neighborhoods of the frontline towns and villages using artillery systems prohibited by Minsk cease-fire deal which often result in civilian casualties. In addition the enemy forces buildup has been recorded in sensitive areas, Censor.NET reports.

   Active training and combat shakedown of the assault units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are underway on the Crimean peninsula and at the eastern border with Ukraine. All this facts evidence Russia's deliberate violation of all peace accords reached in Minsk.

   The press officer of the sector "B" reported earlier that the number of militants' attacks has dramatically increased at the Donetsk direction after recent arrival of another Putin's "humanitarian convoy".

Friday, July 31, 2015  3:13 AM PDT

Militants shelled Toshkivka overnight, two civilians wounded, - Luhansk state administration.

   (Censor.NET) --- Toshkivka village in the Luhansk region was shelled for the first time in three months.

   This was announced by the press service of the Luhansk regional military civil administration, Censor.NET reports.

   "The village of Toshkivka, Popasna district, was shelled in the Luhansk region. The village is more than 10 km from the demarcation line, the shelling took place at 2:30 a.m. As a result, a 23-year-old was wounded with shrapnel. According to his parents, he was saved by a tea table, which was hit by most of the shrapnel. The parents themselves were sleeping in another room together with 16-year-old brother of the wounded man. In a neighboring house, 80-year old woman was covered by a fallen roof, receiving face wounds. First deputy head of the Luhansk regional civil military administration Mykhailo Pukhtaievych, who arrived to the scene, rushed the old woman to a hospital," the message reads.
   Also, six houses were damaged, three of them totally destroyed. At some streets, power and gas supply was halted by damages, with repair works underway.

   "The last shelling here was over three months ago. It has been relatively calm since then in the village. After we return to the state administration, we will solve the matter of immediate aid to those affected by it," Pukhtaievych said.

Friday, July 31, 2015  2:42 AM PDT

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   KIEV, July 31 (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 July 31 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Thursday, July 30, 2015  22:51 PDT

Rebels place tanks near radioactive materials dump in Donetsk

   (Zik) --- The rebels have positioned their tanks near the radioactive materials dump of the local chemical plant in Sofiyivska St., Informator reports.

   The cite carries a photograph made by locals of 2 tanks in firing position near the dump.

   If the dump is hit by Ukraine army return fire, radioactive materials may get into the Karlivske water reservoir supplying water to Donetsk, Informator warns.