"These are real active hostilities considering number of attacks," - NSDC Secretary Turchynov. PHOTOS+VIDEO

153 attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions over the day may actually be considered active hostilities.

NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov commented on the situation in the ATO zone having visited Ukraine's defensive lines in the B sector, Censor.NET reports citing the National Security and Defense Council press service.

"The enemy has shelled the Ukrainian positions 153 times over one day of our work in the ATO area," the NSDC secretary said adding that two soldiers were killed and 10 were injured as a result.

Oleksandr Turchynov called the day a "black all time high" since the Minsk Agreements had been signed. "In fact, t his intensity of fire corresponds to that of active hostilities," he stressed.

In addition, the NSDC secretary announced that intelligence on redeployment and concentration of artillery, armor, and personnel of the Russian-terrorist groups in the proximity to Ukraine's defensive lines "indicated preparation of an offensive by the enemy."

He noted that similar attempts to break through our defenses had already taken place near Marinka and at the Novolaspa-Starohnativka direction.

"We are creating an active defense, and our military are ready not only to hold defensive lines but efficiently counterattack the enemy in case of attempts to break through our defenses," the NSDC secretary said.

He also stressed that the reliable defense of Ukrainian soldiers in the flash points must be a priority for the generalship.

According to him, the greatest number of attacks by the Russian-terrorist groups impacts the B sector, "while our positions near Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky, and Vodiane, where we have been working on the defensive lines, are in the midst of hostilities in the sector B."

"The attacks here are actually conducted around the clock with the use of large-caliber artillery and multiple rocket launchers banned by the Minsk cease-fire deal," the NSDC secretary said. He also stressed that this fact strongly impeded creation of fortifications infrastructure at defensive lines.

"On the other hand, our military are most endangered in such points and therefore require the highest level of protection," Oleksandr Turchynov said

This issue became one of the topics of the NSDC Secretary's work with the Defense Ministry and General Staff generalship as well as military engineers at combat positions near the villages of Avdiivka, Opytne, Pisky, and Vodiane.

"Our military engineers must offer a plan to reinforce defensive lines and protect our troops in the face of constant attacks," he said.

Having examined the new weapons and military equipment, which was redeployed to the anti-terrorist operation zone, the NSDC secretary stressed that by providing Ukrainian armed forces with new weapons and military equipment, "we are creating active defense in the ATO area." He also noted that "we clearly adhere to the Minsk Agreements" when strengthening Ukraine's military capabilities.

Oleksandr Turchynov explained that the artillery was located exceptionally at a distance agreed in the Minsk protocol. "At the same time, active defense provides for rapid and efficient response to any provocation committed by the enemy," he said.