Militants attacked Ukraine positions 61 times yesterday, used mortars, grenade launchers, IFV weapons, - ATO HQ

The situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area is deteriorating. Over the past 24-hour period Russian occupation troops shelled positions of Ukraine's Armed Forces 61 times.

As reported by Censor.NET, this was announced by the ATO Headquarters press center on Facebook.

The HQ says the seaside direction remains the epicenter of the fire fighting. The enemy employed mortars of 120 mm and 82 mm caliber, IFV weapon, grenade launchers of various systems, and machine guns of large caliber to spray positions in Vodiane area. Mortars of 82 mm caliber, grenade launchers, and large caliber machine guns shelled Ukrainian positions at Marinka. The defenders of Shyrokyne came under IFV and small arms fire. Marines defending Hnutove were impacted from 120 mm mortars, anti-tank grenade launchers, and machine guns. Defenses of Hranitne, Talakivka, Pavlopil, and Hnutove came under machine gun and small arms fire. Enemy snipers were operating in Vodiane area.

Read more: Ukrainian soldier killed in militants' mortar strike on Butivka mine, - ATO Staff

In Donetsk direction, the enemy concentrated its efforts against Ukrainian defenders at Avdiivka and Butivka Mine. Russian troops used mortars of both calibers, grenade launchers of various calibers, large caliber machine guns, and anti-tank missile systems there. Ukraine's defenders in Opytne area came under IFV attack. Kamianka and Zaitseve area defenses were sprayed with anti-tank grenade launchers and machine guns. Positions at Pisky and Luhanske came under large caliber machine gun fire. Enemy snipers operated in Avdiivka and Troitske area.

In Luhansk direction, the enemy shelled Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka with 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers, and machine guns. IFV weapons fired upon defenders of Krymske. The area of Katerynivka was shelled by the enemy with grenade launchers. Novozvanivka defenders came under grenade launcher and large caliber machine gun fire.

Earlier, Russian militants attacked ATO forces' positions 45 times on April 11.