Ukrainian soldiers opened backfire as Russian militants committed 48 attacks yesterday using mortars, grenade launchers, IFVs, - Staff

Russian-terrorist forces failed in their responsibility to observe cease-fire earlier agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group resolving armed conflict in the Donbas.

Censor.NET reports citing the statement by the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) Staff press center posted on Facebook.

"48 attacks on the ATO forces' positions were recorded over the past 24-hour period. The majority of the enemy assaults hit the strong points near Mariupol. The Russian occupation troops employed 120 mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, and IFV weapons against the defenders of Novotroitske. Positions in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka were fired upon with 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers, and large-caliber machine guns.

"Marines deployed on the outskirts of Pavlopil and Hnutove came under attacks with grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms. Defenders of Shyrokyne and Vodiane were fired upon with weapons of infantry fighting vehicles, machine guns, and small arms. The militants opened fire on the ATO forces' positions near Lebedynske with large-caliber machine guns and small arms. The enemy snipers committed attacks near Pavlopil.

"In Donetsk direction, the defenders of Avdiivka were fired upon with 120 mm mortars, grenade launchers of various systems, and large-caliber machine guns. Strong points at Pisky were attacked with 82 mm mortars and large-caliber machine guns. The enemy also used grenade launchers and large-caliber machine guns in the vicinity of Butivka mine and Troitske. The militants fired at the ATO forces' positions near Novozvanivka and Verkhniotoretske with large-caliber machine guns and small arms.

"In Luhansk direction, the militants shelled defenders of Krymske village with grenade launchers. The strongpoints on the outskirts of Stanytsia Luhanska were fired upon with large-caliber machine guns.

"The Ukrainian servicemen were forced to open retaliation fire to subdue the enemy attacks," the situation report reads.

Earlier, the Russian-backed militants committed 29 attacks on positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on April 5.