Timeline of the war in Donbass (December 2016)

This is a timeline of the War in Donbass, for December 2016. The timeline follows an ongoing conflict between Ukraine and anti-government pro-Russian separatists supported by Russian troops in the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine.

1 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 30 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 2 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region during the last day of November. One Ukrainian serviceman was injured by explosion of an explosive device, Motuzyanuk added. One Ukrainian soldier was killed by shelling near Avdiivka. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,308 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Horlivka, Ozeryanivka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Kominternove, Naverezhne, Leninske, Sosnovkse, Oktyabr, Tavricheske, Sakhanka, Bezimenne and Trudovske. Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian troops from Stanytsia Luhanska shelled pro-Russian redoubts at Knyaz Igor memorial with 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars volleys landed in Shyrokyne, while Ukrainian forces at Novotroitske and Novohryhorivka were engaged by small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers and armoured fighting vehicles. Sniper fire was also reported at Novotroitske. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Marinka, in the western outskirts of Donetsk city, The stronghold also became the target of small arms, snipers, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Nearby Krasnohorivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while Avdiivka received heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Balka Kosharna was the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The rebels also fired rocket propelled grenades at Novooleksandrivka, Troitske and Krymske. Luhansk People's Republic sources claimed that a Ukrainian serviceman driving a BMP surrendered the armoured vehicle and defected to pro-Russian forces near Kirov.

2 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 8 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 11 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and three others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on the first day of December. The press service of the Luhansk regional state administration reported that one Ukrainian soldier was killed in a skirmish near the village of Novotoshkivske, in the course of an infiltration attempt through the demarcation line by pro-Russian forces supported by 120 mm mortar fire. Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 11,599 Ukrainian violations of the truce over the past week, 3,691 of them using mortars, tanks and artillery. Four civilian residents were wounded. Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic recorded three Ukrainian violations of the truce. Kalinove was shelled from Troitske with 120 mm mortars, while 82 mm mortar volleys fired from Syze landed in Kievke. Pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial were engaged from Stanytsia Luhanske with small arms fire.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 26 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, mortar fire was reported at Shyrokyne, while armoured fighting vehicles attacked Novohryhorivka. Ukrainian troops were harassed with small arms fire at Novomykhailivka and Pavlopil and with sniper fire at Bohdanivka. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske came under mortar fire. Meanwhile, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled nearby Marinka. North of Horlivka, Kirove and Luhanske were the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the northern front, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers struck Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Malynove. Novotoshkivka and Balka Kosharna were shelled by 120 mm mortars.

A USAF RQ-4 Global Hawk strategic drone departing from Sigonella air base carried out the first of several reconnaissance sorties to be flown over the demarcation line. The unmanned aircraft maintained a distance of between 60 and 75 km from the front line at an altitude of 50,000 ft.

3 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 15 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 13 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 16 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that six Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 2 December. Pro-Russian officials in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 1,205 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Vasiliivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Bezimenne and Trudovske. One civilian resident died of wounds at Horlivka. Meanwhile, in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, local authorities reported six Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. According to them, Ukrainian tanks engaged pro-Russian positions at Peschane, near Kristove. Ukrainian troops from Stanytsia Luhanska fired small arms, rocket launchers and automatic grenade launchers at rebel forces around Knyaz Igor memorial. Small arms and automatic grenade launchers firing from Novooleksandrivka hit separatist redoubts at Kalinove-Borshchevate, while rocket propelled grenades fired from Stari Aidar landed in Raevka.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers supported by small arms fire engaged Ukrainian forces at Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka and Krymske. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, rocket propelled grenades landed in Marinka and Zaitseve, and armoured personnel carriers attacked Ukrainian positions at Nyzhne Lozove. In the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne was shelled by 82 mm mortars while small arms fire was reported at Hnutove.

A medical aeroplane that was scheduled to transport 11 wounded Ukrainian servicemen to a military hospital in Lviv had to land in Vinnytsia instead due to bad weather conditions.

4 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 26 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 7 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 14 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 3 December. The casualty occurred in Avdiivka. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 1,384 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Horlivka, Yasinuvata, Staromyhailivka, Bela Kamyanka, Oleksandrivka, Leninske, Sakhanka, Zabicheve and Petrovsky district. The Ukrainian military broke the ceasefire on two occasions within the boundaries of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian forces from Krymske shelled pro-Russian redoubts at Sokolniki with 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles were fired from Stanytsia Luhanska at rebel positions around Knyaz Igor memorial.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. Most fighting occurred in the región of Mariupol. Shyrokyne and Talakivka became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket propelled grenades, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Krasnohorivka and Marinka, southwest of Donetsk city, came under fire from the same type of weapons.

5 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 26 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 14 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 3 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 4 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,342 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army attacked rebel positions at Yasinuvata, Vesele, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Oktyabr, Dzerzhinsky, Oleksandrivka, Trudovske, Staromykhailivka, Olenivka and Dokuchaievsk. One pro-Russian serviceman was killed by sniper fire. According to local officials, there were four Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the territory of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian troops from Novooleksandrivka fired small arms, automatic grenade launchers, and 120 mm mortars at rebel positions around Kalinove-Borshchevate, while 82 mm mortar barrages from Shchastya landed in Vesela Hora and Zhovte.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 9 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars, engaged Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne and Vodiane, in the region of Mariupol, and Krasnohorivka, southwest of Donetsk city. In the same area, heavy machine gun fire was reported at Opytne, while mortar rounds landed in Luhanske, north of Horlivka.

Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, speaking in Brussels, characterised the security situation in eastern Ukraine as extremely serious.

6 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 26 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 14 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 6 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed and another wounded in action in the Donbass region on 5 December. In his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 1,295 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian forces at Trudovske, Oleksandrivka, Staromykhailivka, Olenovka, Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Zhabichevo, Yasne, Kominternove, Leninske and Sakhanka. Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on four occasions inside the territory of the self-styled Luhnask People's Republic. Kalinove was fired at from Troitske by small arms and automatic grenade launchers, while the pro-Russian checkpoint near Stanytsia Luhanska was shelled by automatic grenade launchers and under-barrel launched grenades. Ukrainian troops from Krymske fired 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles on pro-Russian positions at Sokolniki. Small arms and under-barrel launched grenades firing from Seversky Zhovte hit Youzhny Zhovte.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 32 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles supported by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades engaged Ukrainian forces at Starohnativka, Shyrokyne, Hnutove and Pavlopil, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Chermalik and Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. Krasnohorivka and Marinka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Automatic grenade launchers also targeted a Ukrainian checkpoint near Marinka. In the area of Horlivka, the rebels shelled Luhanske with 82 mm mortars. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces shelled Novooleksandrivka and Novozvanivka with grenade launchers, anti-aircraft guns and mortars. Small arms fire was reported at Katerinivka.

7 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 45 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 28 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 6 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded and one soldier contused in action in the Donbass region on 6 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 2,453 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Vasiliivka, Verkhnyotoretske, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Yasne, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Oktyabr, Sakhanka and Trudovske. According to local authorities, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire four times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Pro-Russian troops at Kalinove became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars firing from Novozvanivka. An 82 mm mortar volley fired from Luhanske landed in Nyzhne Lozove, while pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial were fired at from Stanytsia Luhanska with small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 10 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian positions at Vodiane, in the region of Mariupol. The village also became the target of 152 mm artillery fire, while 120 mm mortar volleys struck Shyrokyne and Chermalik. Slavne and Shyrokyne were fired at by grenade launchers and armoured fighting vehicles. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka, which also came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Rebel troops shelled Krasnohorivka with 82 mm mortars.

8 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 20 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day;  no ceasefire violations were recorded in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 7 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,066 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Ozeryanivka, Vasiliivka, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Vesele, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Novolaspa, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Kuibyshev and Petrovsky district. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action. The military spokesman of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, Major Andreiy Marochko, reported no Ukrainian violations of the truce within the republic borders, but he described the situation as "tense".

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 11 occasions. Most incidents occurred in the region of Mariupol, where the strongholds of Shyrokyne, Talakivka and Vodiane were engaged by small arms, rocket launchers, mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The same kind of weapons were used against Ukrainian troops at Marinka, west of Donetsk, while 120 mm mortar volleys landed in nearby Pisky.

The United Nations released a report, according to which the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has recorded 32 conflict-related civilian deaths and 132 injuries between 16 August and 15 November. The total death toll from mid-April 2014 to 1 December 2016 was 9,758, with another 22,779 people injured.

9 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 15 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 2 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 8 December. Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported 10,603 Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire over the past week, 3,456 of them using mortars, tanks and artillery. Three civilian residents were wounded. According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire four times within the borders of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Zhovte was shelled twice with automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars, while automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles firing from Novozvanivka hit pro-Russian positions at Kalinove. Rebel troops around Frunze came under small arms fire from Krymske.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 14 occasions. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, separatist troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and several types of rocket propelled grenades at Novotoshkivka, Krymske and Shariv Kut. Sniper fire was reported at Zhovte. Around Donetsk city, small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers were fired at Ukrainian forces in Avdiivka, while 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Krasnohorivka. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles shelled Shyrokyne, which also became under sniper, rocket propelled grenade and 122 mm artillery fire. Rocket launchers were also fired at Novotroitske.

10 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 31 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day;   including on 18 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 5 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 9 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,275 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The main targets were Zaitseve, Yasinovata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Olenivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. The military of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on 18 occasions over the past week.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 5:00 pm pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 41 occasions. Heavy shelling was reported in the region of Mariupol, where rebel forces pounded Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Pavlopil with 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne, while Talakivka, Shyrokyne, Lebedynske, Hnutove and Pavlopil became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns, rocket launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, the separatists attacked the strongholds of Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka with small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Luhanske, north of Horlivka, came under 82 mm mortar fire. In the northern section of the demarcation line, Stanytsia Luhanska, Lopaskyne, Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka received small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. The rebels shelled Novozvanivka with mortars and Novotoshkivka with 122 mm artillery.

11 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 70 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,   including on 39 occasions in the region of Mariupol. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and two others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 10 December. The fatalities were caused by shelling in the region of Krasnohorivka, where also one serviceman was wounded; another Ukrainian soldier was wounded not far from Verkhnyotoretske. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 2,903 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks and 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted pro-Russian positions at Trudovske, Oleksandrivka, Staromikhailovka, in the west of Donetsk City, Olenivka, Zaitseve, Nova Tavrya, Hryhorivka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Kominternove, Naberezhne, Vasiliivka and Spartak. Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire within the borders of the republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Lobacheve engaged pro-Russian positions at Zhovte, supported by 120 mm mortars, 82 mm mortars, automatic grenade fire and small arms, while Ukrainian forces from Mironovskiy shelled Kalinove with 152 mm self-propelled artillery.

According to the information published by the ATO HQ on their Facebook page in the evening, as of 5:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 26 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, mortar and 122 mm artillery volleys landed in Talakivka, Novoselivka, Chermalyk and Vodiane. Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne were engaged by 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles and tanks. Around Donetsk city Krasnohorivka came under mortar and 122 mm artillery fire. Luhanske, north of Horlivka, was attacked by heavy machine guns and armoured fighting vehicles. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, rebel forces fired 82 mm and 120 mm mortars at Balka Kosharna and Krymske.

12 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 51 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 35 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 7 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 9 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 11 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,151 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Most incidents took place at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Dzerzhinsky, Leninske, Sakhanka and Petrovsky district. Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire in the Luhansk People's Republic twice, according to local officials. Kalinove was shelled with 152 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Novozvanivka. Mariivka became the target of automatic grenade launchers fired from Zolote.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 27 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, Talakivka and Shyrokyne became the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Sniper fire was reported at Pavlopil. Around Donetsk city, Avdiivka was shelled by grenade launchers and mortars, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in nearby Krasnohorivka and rocket propelled grenades in Marinka. Lopaskyne, Zolote, Krymske, Novozvanivka and Troitske, in the northern section of the demarcation line, were shelled with rocket launchers and mortars.

13 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 42 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 19 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 6 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 17 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 12 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 859 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. Ukrainian forces pounded Horlivka, Zheleznaya Balka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Kominternove, Dokuchaievsk, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the republic's territory when Kalinove became the target of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Novozvanivka.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 5 occasions. In the area around Donetsk city, Avdiivka became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Rocket propelled grenades landed in nearby Marinka. North of Horlivka, Luhanske came under 82 mm mortar fire, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar barrages struck Krymske, in the northern front.

14 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 15 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that four Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 13 December. One Ukrainian border guard was wounded at Stanytsia Luhanska check-point at around midnight, Lysenko added. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 864 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main targets were Zaitseve, Krasny Partizan, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka, Sergiiivka and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action. According to local authorities, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire two times inside the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms fire, engaged pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial. Kalinove, meanwhile, came under fire from small arms and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles from Popasna.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on several occasions, mainly in the region of Mariupol. Mortar volleys landed in Lebedynske and Shyrokyne, while Novotroitske became the target of machine gun fire and rocket launchers. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka came under sniper and mortar fire. Heavy machine gun fire was reported at Luhanske, north of Horlivka. Krymske, in the northern section of the demarcation line, came under mortar fire. The State Border Guard Service reported that one civilian was killed and another wounded at Maiorsk (Mayorsk) check-point, west of Horlivka (48.39667°N, 37.97556°W) at around 9:00 am.

15 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 18 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no combat related casualties in the Donbass region on 14 December. One male civilian was killed and two others were injured. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 1,243 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Vasiliivka, Lebyazhe, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Vesele, Zhabicheve, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was killed. According to local authorities, there were two Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire inside the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. A 120 mm mortar barrage fired from Novozvanivka landed in Kalinove while small arms and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles from Stanytsia Luhanska were fired at pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 17 occasions, including on 15 occasions in the region of Mariupol. Rebel forces harassed Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne, Novotroitske, Talakivka and Starohnativka with small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Bohdanivka. Sniper activity was reported at Novotroitske and Hnutove. West of Donetsk city, the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka and Marinka were hit by small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades. The same kind of weapons were fired at Novozvanivka, in the northern sector of the demarcation line, where pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers attacked Ukrainian positions at Novooleksandrivka.

16 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 15 December. The casualty occurred at Staryi Aidar. Pro-Russian sources from Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire 9,041 times on pro-Russian positions over the past week, 2,733 of them using mortars, tanks and artillery. Two civilian residents were killed and other two wounded. According to authorities form the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian troops broke the truce inside the republic borders on three occasions. Pro-Russian forces at Zhovte were harassed with small arms firing from Lobacheve, while 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles from Stanytsia Luhanska fired upon pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 19 occasions, including on 17 occasions in the region of Mariupol, where 122 mm artillery barrages landed in Shyrokyne, Lebedynske and Vodiane. Rebel forces also shelled Talkakivka, Shyrokyne and Vodyine with 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. Small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire was reported at Hnutove, Novotroitske and Vodiane, while armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian troops at Shyrokyne. In the area of Donetsk city, the stronghold of Avdiivka was struck by small arms, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars. Nearby Krasnohorivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while Marinka became the target of small arms and grenade launchers. Ukrainian troops at Nyzhneteple, in the northern section of the demarcation line, were harassed with small arms fire.

17 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 52 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 16 December. The casualties occurred at Nevelske. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 1,183 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army targeted Dokuchaievsk, Yasinuvata, Vasiliivka, Spartak, Kruta Balka, Zaitseve, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Leninske, Oktyabr, Nova Tavrya, Bezimenne, Oleksandrivka and Staromykhailivka. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and two wounded. According to local officials, Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on six occasions within the boundaries of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic. Two 120 mm mortar barrages fired from Popasna and Novozvanivka landed in Kalinove, which also became the target of 152 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Popasna.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 21 occasions. Most incidents occurred in the region of Mariupol, where the rebels shelled Vodiane with 122 mm and 152 mm artillery. Shyrokyne, Pavlopil and Lebedynske came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Starohnativka and Shyrokyne were harassed with small arms and heavy machine gun fire. In the surroundings of Donetsk city, Krasnohorivka was struck by 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys, while 122 mm artillery barrages landed in Nevelske. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rebel forces launched antitank guided missiles on Ukrainian positions at Novozvanivka, while Stanytsia Luhanska and Troitske became the target of rocket propelled grenades and mortar fire.

18 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 40 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day, including on 25 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 10 occasions in Luhansk region, and on 5 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no combat related casualties in the Donbass region on 17 December. Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 960 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Most incidents occurred at Horlivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Panteleymonivka, Kominternove, Naverezhne, Leninske, Sakhanka, Yasinuvata, Kruta Balka, Mineralne, Dokuchaievsk, Oleksandrivka and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded in action. Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire on five occasions inside the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, reported local authorities. Pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial were engaged by small arms, automatic grenade launchers, rocket launchers, 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles and armoured fighting vehicles from Stanytsia Luhanska. Kalinove became the target of 82 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions repeatedly, mainly in the regions of Mariupol (on 25 occasions ) and Donetsk city. Pro-Russian tanks attacked Shyrokyne, which was also the target of 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 mm howitzers. Mortar volleys of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars also landed in Hnutove, Vodiane and Talakivka, while Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil came under small arms fire. Sniper fire was reported at Marinka, southwest of Donetsk city. Novooleksandrivka, in the northern section of the demarcation line, became the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. The ATO HQ published on their Facebook page information according to which five Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six others were wounded during a two-hour engagement – at a stretch between the militant-controlled town of Horlivka and Svitlodarsk dam – that started at around 5:50 am. Later in the evening it was reported that the death toll had risen to six, the number of wounded Ukrainian servicemen had risen to twenty-six. Sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported a major breakthrough attempt by Ukrainian forces in Kalynivka, near Debaltseve. The three-pronged assault resulted in two Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles destroyed and the death of at least ten Ukrainian servicemen. Two pro-Russian soldiers were reported wounded and other two missing.

19 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 24 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Andriy Lysenko, reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six others were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 18 December. Ten more servicemen were contused and injured, Lysenko added. During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 1,680 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery to engage pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Zheleznaya Balka, Ozeryanivka, Vasiliivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Vesele, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Bela Kamyanka, Kominternove, Naberezhne, línea de costa, Sosnovske, Nova Tavrya, Leninske, Sakhanka, Bezimenne and Trudovske. The commander of the Luhansk People's Republic military, Colonel Oleg Anashchenko, dubbed the 18 December Ukrainian offensive "a complete failure". He later claimed that the Ukrainian army lost three armoured fighting vehicles and 12 soldiers. During 19 December, Ukrainian forces continued to shell the area of Lohvynove and Kalynivka with mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 30 occasions. Luhansk People's Republic Major Andreiy Marochko said that three Ukrainian soldiers died and four others were wounded in the course of another attempt to break through pro-Russian lines near Kalynivka. According to the same sources, Ukrainian troops resumed the shelling near Debaltseve late in the evening.

20 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 47 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 11 occasions in Luhansk region and on 27 occasions in the region of Mariupol. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was killed, ten were wounded, and eight contused in action in the Donbass region on 19 December. All the casualties occurred in the region of Svitlodarsk salient. Three groups of pro-Russian scouts were beaten off in the region of Svitlodarsk salient at around 10:30 am, 20 December, Motuzyanyk added. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 1,579 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian military targeted Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Mikhaylivka, Ozeryanivka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Kruta Balka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Sakhanka, Sergiivka, Leninske and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was wounded in action. There were 14 violations of the ceasefire within the borders of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, according to local officials. Kalynivka was shelled by 82 mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Luhanske, and 152 mm howitzers from Svitlodarsk, while 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Luhanske also landed in Lozove, and 82 mm mortar and 122 mm artillery fire from the same location hit Nyzhne Lozove. Ukrainian BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles from Lobacheve engaged pro-Russian positions at Kruta Hora, supported by under-barrel grenade launchers, automatic grenade launchers and 120 mm mortars. Rocket propelled grenades from Lobacheve also landed in Zhovte. Ukrainian forces from Stanytsia Luhanska harassed pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial with small arms, under-barrel grenade launchers and automatic grenade launchers. Sokolniki became the target of 120 mm mortars firing from Krymske.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 9 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by rocket launchers, engaged Ukrainian forces at Talakivka and Berezove. Krasnohorivka, west of Donetsk city, came under rocket propelled grenade fire, while Luhanske, in the Svitlodarsk salient, became the target of 122 mm self-propelled artillery. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Ukrainian redoubts at Syze were attacked with small arms, grenade launchers and armoured fighting vehicles.

21 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 33 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 7 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 13 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, polkovnyk Lysenko, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, four others wounded, and four contused in action in the Donbass region on 20 December. Lysenko confirmed the capture of one Ukrainian serviceman by pro-Russian forces during the skirmish at the Svitlodarsk salient on 18 December. Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 699 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The majority of the attacks occurred at Mineralne, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Vesele, Yasne, Dokuchaievsk, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Ozeryanivka, Sakhanka, Leninske, Oktyabr, Staromihaylivka, Oleksandrivka and Trudovske. Luhansk People's Republic Major Andreiy Marochko reported two pro-Russian soldiers killed and two others wounded in the course of heavy fighting in the area of Debaltseve.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 16 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles attacked Talakivka. The same location along with Shyrokyne was hit by small arms, heavy machine guns and rocket launchers. In the outskirts of Donetsk city, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Avdiivka and Krasnohorivka. Avdiivka and Marinka also became the target of small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. North of Horlivka, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire was reported at Luhanske. In the northern front, rocket propelled grenades landed in Novozvanivka.

According to the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksandr Turchynov –, who visited the Svitlodarsk salient area – the Ukrainian military counterattacked, moved forward and took up new positions, "which gave them an extra advantage over the enemy in this defense sector".

22 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 24 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 10 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that eleven Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 21 December. The casualties occurred in the region of Svitlodarsk salient. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 968 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. The Ukrainian army attacked rebel positions at Zaitseva, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Mineralne, Kruta Balka, Spartak, Staromykhailivka, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Leninske and Petrovsky district. Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian forces broke the truce on 15 occasions inside the republic boundaries. Kalynivka was attacked seven time from Mironovske and Luhanske with small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 mm self-propelled artillery. Nyzhne Lozove was also hit by 152 mm artillery firing from Mironovske, while Lozove itself became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, 122 and 152 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Mironovske and Luhanske. Pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial were fired at from Stanytsia Luhanska with small arms, under-barrel rocket launchers and automatic grenade launchers. Pro-Russian media showed the bodies of two Ukrainian soldiers killed in action lying on the snow. The dead servicemen, who took part in the Ukrainian offensive in Svitlodarsk salient, wore winter camouflage jackets.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 15 occasions.

23 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 22 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 9 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 5 occasions in Luhansk region. Nine cease-fire violations were recorded by 7:00 am, 23 December. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three others wounded in action in the Donbass region on 22 December. Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 8,043 occasions on their positions over the past week, 2,679 using mortars, tanks and artillery. There were four Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic, according to local sources. Heavy shelling was reported at Kalynivka, where pro-Russian positions were struck by 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and 152 self-propelled artillery firing from Svitlodarsk and Luhanske. Lohvynove was also fired at from Svitlodarsk with 152 mm artillery. Ukrainian troops from Lobacheve attacked Syze with small arms and automatic grenade launchers.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 30 occasions.

24 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 19 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 19 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 10 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded and four others were contused in action in the Donbass region on 23 December. During his daily briefing to the press, deputy minister of defence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, reported that Ukrainian troops opened fire on 3,002 occasions on their positions over the last 24 hours. According to the statement, the Ukrainian military used small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, tanks, 122 mm self-propelled artillery, 152 mm self-propelled artillery and "Grad" artillery rockets to engage pro-Russian forces at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Mikhaylivka, Ozeryanivka, Kruta Balka, Zheleznaya Balka, Yasinuvata, Vasiliivka, Spartak, Oleksandrivka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka, Bezimenne and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was killed and another wounded. He also denounced the Ukrainian policy of seizing small derelict settlements within the buffer zone, like Novo Luhanske, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Pishchevik. There were ten Ukrainian attacks on pro-Russian forces inside the territory of the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, where Kalynivka came under 120 mm mortar and 122 mm and 152 mm artillery fire from Luhanske and Debaltseve was shelled with 152 mm self-propelled artillery firing from Mironovskiy. Kalinove was shelled from Popasna and Troitske with 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles and 120 mm mortars. Kruta Hora and Zhovte became the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars, while pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial came under small arms fire.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that, despite a Christmas ceasefire, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 23 occasions, the Ukrainian army didn't fire back. According to Ukrainian sources, pro-Russian troops also broke the agreement on the evacuation of dead soldiers from no-land-man in Svitlodarsk salient, when a rescue team was fired on for 40 minutes and forced to withdraw.

25 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 39 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,  including on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 15 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 1 occasion in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 24 December. The casualty occurred in Avdiivka. For the first time in 6 days the Ukrainian military suffered no losses in the area of Svitlodarsk salient, Motuzyanuk added. Pro-Russian sources in Donetsk city said that the Ukrainian military opened fire on 224 occasions on their positions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The majority of the attacks occurred at Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Spartak, Zhabicheve, Oleksandrivka, Kominternove, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. Authorities from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic denounced that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire inside the republic borders on 12 occasions. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske, supported by small arms and automatic grenade launchers, attacked pro-Russian positions at Kalynivka five times, while Kalinove became the target of 82mm and 120 mm mortars firing from Novozvanivka. Separatist forces at Kalynivka were engaged by small arms and armoured fighting vehicles from Balki Sukhodol and Krymske. The village of Prishchib was also the target of 120 mm mortars from Balki Sukhodol.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 16 occasions. Pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles, supported by small arms, rocket launchers and 82 mm mortars, engaged Ukrainian forces at Avdiivka and Verkhnyotoretske, in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and Novhorodske and Zaitseve, in the area of Horlivka. Meanwhile, in the region of Mariupol, 82 mm mortar barrages landed in Shyrokyne and Vodiane. Ukrainian troops at Pavlopil, Starohnativka and Shyrokyne came under small arms, heavy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire.

26 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 33 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,   including on 14 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 16 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 3 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that five Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 25 December. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 189 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military targeted pro-Russian positions at Shyroka Balka, Dokuchaievsk, Yasinuvata, Vasiliivka, Kominternovo and Leninske. Meanwhile, sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported 12 Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic boundaries. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske attacked pro-Russian positions around Kalynivka, which also was the target of small arms, automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars. Armoured fighting vehicles from Novotoshkivka shelled the separatist stronghold of Zholobok. Pro-Russian troops around Knyaz Igor memorial came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire from Stanytsia Luhnaska. Rebel-held Sokolniki was fired at from Krymske with small arms fire.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 26 occasions. Pro-Russian tanks engaged Ukrainian forces at Shyrokyne, in the area of Mariupol, on three occasions. The stronghold was also attacked with heavy machine guns, mortars, armoured fighting vehicles, and 122 mm self-propelled artillery. Mortar fire was also reported at Talakivka, while Pavlopil and Vodiane became the target of heavy machine guns and grenade launchers. Ukrainian military personnel returned fire in Shyrokyne. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, rebel troops fired small arms, heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at the Ukrainian strongholds of Avdiivka, Maryinka, Luhnaske and Zaitseve. Two Ukrainian soldiers were reported missing after contact with them was lost while riding a vehicle near Zolote. They apparently became stranded in hostile territory.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence reported 211 combat and 256 not combat related losses during 2016. The same sources acknowledge the death of eight Ukrainian soldiers during the offensive on Svitlodarsk salient from 18 to 23 December. Another soldier was taken prisoner.

Ukrainian MP and former commander of the Aidar battallon, Semen Semenchenko, announced the blockade of the trade between Ukraine and the self-proclaimed republics in the Donbass region. The action would be carried out by war veterans.

27 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 37 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,  including on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 12 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city and on 1 occasion in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO, Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action and two others captured in the Donbass region on 26 December. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 103 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian army engaged pro-Russian troops at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Zhabicheve, Staromykhailivka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. One pro-Russian soldier was killed in action. Officials from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic said that Ukrainian troops broke the ceasefire within the republic's boundaries on 20 occasions. Twelve incidents took place at Kalynivka, where pro-Russian forces were engaged with small arms, 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles, 82 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske. Logvinove was pounded from 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles, also firing from Luhanske. Ukrainian forces at Stanytsia Luhnaska harassed pro-Russian troops at Knyaz Igor memorial with small arms and rocket propelled grenades. Zholobok became the target of small arms, 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles and 82 mm mortars from Krymske and Novotoshkivka. Ukrainian troops from Krymske shelled Frunze with automatic grenade launchers, while rebel positions at Novokiivka came under small arms fire from Sharov Kut.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 29 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, 82 mm and 120 mm mortar volleys landed in Shyrokyne, which also came under small arms, sniper and rocket propelled grenade fire. Rebel forces targeted Ukrainian outposts at Talakivka, Vodiane and Pavlopil with small arms and rocket launchers. In the surroundings of Donetsk city and Horlivka, 82 mm mortar barrages hit Avdiivka, Luhanske and Novhorodske. The separatists also fired heavy machine guns and grenade launchers at Nevelske, Maryinka, Mironovskiy, Luhanske and Zaitseve. In the northern section of the demarcation line, pro-Russian armoured personnel carriers engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Novozvanivka and Novooleksandrivka supported by heavy machine gun fire and rocket propelled grenades.

28 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 44 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 15 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 25 occasions in the region of Mariupol and on 4 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon no casualties in the Donbass region on 27 December. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city said that Ukrainian forces opened fire 533 times on their positions using light weapons, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The main incidents occurred at Zaitseve, Horlivka, Shyroka Balka, Krasny Partizan, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Nikolaevka, Hrihorivka, Kominternove, Oktyabr, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. Officials from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic denounced that Ukrainian forces broke the ceasefire on seven occasions within the republic boundaries. Kalynove came under 82 mm mortar fire from Luhnaske four times, while rocket launchers from Stanytsia Luhanska shelled pro-Russian positions around Knyaz Igor memorial. Slavyanoserbsk became the target of 82 mm mortars firing from Krymske.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 22 occasions. In the northern front, pro-Russian armoured fighting vehicles engaged Ukrainian redoubts at Balka Kosharna. Small arms fire was reported at Krymske and Malynove. In the area of Horlivka, Ukrainian forces received small arms and mortar fire, while Ukrainian troops at Zaitseve and Novoselivka were harassed with small arms fire. In the region of Mariupol, rebel troops fired small arms and heavy machine guns at Starohnativka, Shyrokyne and Novotroitske. Southwest of Donetsk city, 82 mm mortar volleys landed in Krasnohorivka and light weapons were used against Ukrainian outposts at Maryinka.

29 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 50 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day, including on 29 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 15 occasions in the surroundings of Donetsk city, and on 6 occasion in Luhansk region. 13 attacks were reported during the first hours of 29 December. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that two Ukrainian servicemen were killed and two others were wounded in the Donbass region on 28 December. One of the fatalities occurred in Kruta Balka, Yasynuvata Raion, as a result of an armed clash between the warring neighbours. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 473 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian army attacked pro-Russian positions at Oleksandrivka, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Shyroka Balka, Yasinuvata, Verhnyotoretske, Vasiliivka, Kruta Balka, Leninske, Sakhanka and Trudovske. Deputy minister of defence of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, claimed that Ukrainian scouts attempted an assault on pro-Russian positions at Kruta Balka. The attack was beaten off by the defenders, who killed three Ukrainian soldiers and wounded four. A video provided by the separatists shows the dead body of a Ukrainian servicemen on the snow. Meanwhile, sources from the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic reported eight Ukrainian violations of the truce inside the republic boundaries. Ukrainian BMP-2 armoured fighting vehicles engaged pro-Russian positions at Frunze and Smile, in the first case supported by AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars and in the second instance along with ZU-23-2 antiaircraft guns. Kalynove was attacked two times with automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars and BMP-1 armoured fighting vehicles from Luhanske. Sanzharivka was shelled from Troitske with 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 5:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 25 occasions. In the region of Mariupol, separatist forces fired small arms and rocket launchers at Shyrokyne, Talakivka, Pavlopil, Vodiane and Hnutove. Sniper fire was reported at Hnutove. The same kind of weapons were used against the Ukrainian strongholds around Donetsk city like Avdiivka, Kruta Balka, Verkhnyotoretske and in the area of Horlivka, like Zaitseve, Luhanske, and Troitske, while mortar volleys landed in Krasnohorivka, southwest of Donetsk city. In the northern sector of the demarcation line, Malynove and Balka Krutenka became the target of small arms and grenade launchers.

30 December
According to the information provided by the spokesman of the Ukrainian operational headquarters in the morning, pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 45 occasions on Ukrainian troops the previous day,  including on 13 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, on 24 occasions in the region of Mariupol, and on 8 occasions in Luhansk region. The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that three Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the Donbass region on 29 December. One serviceman was reported dead and another four injured in non-combat related incidents. Pro-Russian authorities in Donetsk city released an annual report on Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire. According to them, Ukrainian forces opened fire on pro-Russian positions on 143,613 occasions through 2016, 78,223 of them using banned heavy weapons. The same sources accused the Ukrainian military of killing 314 civilians and injuring 406. According to a similar report elaborated by officials from the self-styled Luhansk People's Republic, the Ukrainian army broke the ceasefire 1,369 times within the republic borders during 2016. Earlier, Luhansk People's Republic authorities had recorded five Ukrainian attacks over the past 24 hours. Ukrainian forces from Novozvanivka shelled Kalynove with automatic grenade launchers and 73 mm antitank recoilless rifles. The same kind of weapons firing from Troitske hit Kalinivka, which also came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire from Luhnaske. Pro-Russian troops at Krasny Yar were also harassed with small arms fire from Stanytsia Luhnaska. Ukrainian armoured fighting vehicles from Krymske engaged pro-Russian redoubts at Khoroshche.

The press-centre of the ATO HQ reported in the evening that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 25 occasions. Pro-Russian forces attempted to break out in the area of Popasna, in the northern section of the demarcation line. In the same area, the rebels shelled Novozvanivka with 82 mm mortars, and harassed Ukrainian troops at Novo Kondrashchevke, Novooleksandrivka, Krasne Hnilishche and Novozvanivka. Small arms fire was reported at Yuzhne, Marinka and Opytne, in the outskirts of Donetsk city, while in the region of Mariupol, Shyrokyne and Talakivka came under 82 mm and 120 mm mortar fire. Small arms and heavy machine gun fire raked Ukrainian outposts at Hnutove, Lebedynske and Shyrokyne.

31 December
The ATO HQ reported in the morning that pro-Russian troops had opened fire on 48 occasions on Ukrainian positions the previous day,  including on 23 occasions in the region of Mariupol, on 9 occasions in the outskirts of Donetsk city, and on 15 occasions in Luhansk region (including one close combat engagement). The spokesman of the Presidential Administration on issues related to ATO reported at noon that one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in action in the Donbass region on 30 December. The casualty occurred in the region of Novooleksandrivka. Pro-Russian sources at Donetsk city reported that Ukrainian forces opened fire on rebel positions on 123 occasions using small arms, rocket launchers, 82 mm mortars, 120 mm mortars and armoured fighting vehicles. The Ukrainian military attacked Zaitseve, Horlivka, Kruta Balka, Yasinuvata, Oleksandrivka, Dokuchaievsk, Kominternove, Dzerzhinsky, Sakhanka and Trudovske. According to local authorities, there were six Ukrainian violations of the ceasefire in the territory of the self-prolaimed Luhansk People's Republic. The village of Krasny Yar was fired at on three occasions from Novo Kondrashchevke with small arms and rocket launchers. Kalinivka came under small arms and 82 mm mortar fire from Luhanske, while 120 mm mortar volleys fired from Novozvanivka landed in Kalynove.

According to the information published by the ATO press-centre in the evening, as of 6:00 pm pro-Russian forces had opened fire on Ukrainian positions on 20 occasions. In Vodiane, Mariupol region, rebel forces fired at Ukrainian troops with 122 mm artillery. Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane and Starohnativka came under small arms and rocket propelled grenade fire. Around Donetsk city and Horlivka, Ukrainian redoubts at Krasnohorivka, Kruta Balka and Zaitseve were the target of the same kind of weapons. Sniper fire was reported at Maryinka. In the northern section of the demarcation line, rocket propelled grenades landed in Novozvanivka and Novo Kondrashchevke.