Militants launch 44 attacks on ATO troops in eastern Ukraine in last day

Russia-backed militants launched 44 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the past day, army operations press centre reported on Thursday. "In Donetsk area, militants used mortars, banned under the Minsk agreements, as well as grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms to fire at Avdiyivka north of Donetsk, the report said. Largr numbet of attacks persist in the vicinity of strategic government-controlled seaport Mariupol near the border with Russia.