"The Russian-backed mercenaries fired 82mm mortars five times on ATO forces, including three times on the defenders of the town of Avdiyivka, and one attack was near the town of Schastia and the village of Zaitseve each. The enemy also fired automatic grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small weapons on the Ukrainian positions near the villages of Triokhizbenka, Shyrokyne and Berezove," the report says.

"The Ukrainian military had to return fire nine times in order to hold their positions," the press center said.