1 Ukrainian Soldier Killed By Russia-Backed Sniper; Ukraine Fears Butovka Mine May Be Encircled

Apartment buildings damaged by shelling in Avdeyevka (Avdiivka), Ukraine. Photo by Unian

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A 25-year-old Ukrainian soldier was killed today in the Avdeyevka industrial zone by a Russia-backed sniper

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One Ukrainian Soldier Killed By Russia-Backed Sniper; Ukraine Fears Butovka Mine May Be Encircled

2016-09-30 19:15:24

A 25-year-old Ukrainian soldier was killed today in the Avdeyevka industrial zone by a Russia-backed sniper, Unian.net reported, citing TSN.

A battle lasting several hours took place in the industrial zone, known by its Russian nick-name as promka (promyshlennaya zona), a battered industrial park on the edge of Avdeyevka, near the highway fork to separatist-held Yasinovataya.

Militants fired from machine guns, grenade-launchers and 82-mm artillery banned under the Minsk agreement.

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2016-09-30 18:56:47

According to Unian, there were 25 incidents of shelling in total in the last 24 hours, the Ukrainian ATO [Anti-Terrorist Operation] reported. In addition to the Avdeyevka, Ukrainian positions near Novgorodskoye were also fired on from a BMP and anti-aircraft systems. Grenade-launchers, machine guns and small arms were used on Verkhnotoretskoye

Along the Mariupol line, militants fired on Maryinka, Talakovka, Starognatovka, Shirokino, and Vodyanoye using small arms, machine guns and grenade-launchers. A sniper was active in Shirokino and Maryinka.

Russia-backed separatists are exploiting the current ceasefire to encircle the Butovka Mine, Unian.net reported, citing TSN.

The separatists fire on the Butovka mine, still held by Ukrainian forces, nearly every day.

“Butovka is ruthlessly shelled even when the quiet regimen is kept at other positions,” said TSN. The intensity of the battles can be seen from the holes in the walls at the site.

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2016-09-30 21:54:19

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2016-09-30 19:13:07

A Ukrainian soldier who gave his call sign as “Sem” said (translation by The Interpreter):

Since 8:00 am, they have been firing constantly. At four positions they’ve dug in, and that’s it. At night the tracers fly so much that it is impossible to raise your head and see even the direction they’re coming from.

There are only a few areas where Ukrainian soldiers can still take cover, he said.

— Catherine A. Fitzpatrick