Donbas conflict worsens as Russian proxies dare fire artillery on civilians

The situation in Donbas remained tense as the combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions and civilian areas in eastern Ukraine 90 times in the last day, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

"From 18:00 to 24:00 Kyiv time on Wednesday, illegal armed groups attacked Ukrainian troops about 60 times, using banned weapons 33 times," the report reads.

According to the ATO press center, Russian proxies fired 152mm artillery systems, deliberately aiming at the village of Kodema near Artemivsk in Donetsk region, which inflicted casualties among civilians. However, the source did not elaborate on the death toll.

In addition, according to the press center, Russian-backed militants fired 152mm and 122mm artillery systems seven times on ATO forces, used 120mm mortars 31 times, and tanks nine times.

"Ukrainian troops near the town of Avdiyivka and the villages of Novhorodske, Verkhniotoretske, Opytne, Kirove, Pershe Travnia, Leninske, Mykolaivka 2, Maorske, Starohnativka were under enemy dense fire," the press center said.

As of 06:00 Kyiv time on July 16, terrorists were firing small arms on ATO forces near the town of Schastia and in the direction of the destroyed Donetsk airport, using the harassing fire tactics.