Official information says 5 Ukrainian soldiers are killed and 6 more wounded, according to the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters, reported UNIAN.

Contrary to the official information on casualties, a journalist of the Ukrainian TSN news service, currently working in the war zone, reported that up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers have been wounded. 

According to the communique, at about 06:00 on December 18, the Russian-separatist forces launched attacks on Ukrainian positions along the so-called Svitlodarsk bulge. The Ukrainian side of the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC) immediately made a request for the introduction of the ceasefire. But the enemy attempted to make a significant turning movement of the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Luhanske in order to oust the advanced units of the ATO forces from their positions and change the contact line. bla

The adversary forces, being in significant numbers, resorted to bypassing, attempting to cut off the ATO strongpoints. "But their plans were uncovered just in time. The battle, which followed, thwarted the invaders' plans. During the two-hour battle, our troops defeated the enemy fighters," it said.

According to intelligence reports, enemy losses amounted to at least 25 people dead and 30 wounded.

"Unfortunately, we've had losses. Five soldiers were killed, six were wounded. Four of the soldiers were injured slightly and two had moderately severe injuries. All the injured have been provided with high-quality medical care," the ATO HQ said.

In addition, civilian infrastructure and power lines were damaged as militants have repeatedly opened fire from 122mm artillery systems and 120mm mortars on the Ukrainian positions. The town of Svitlodarsk and surrounding villages were left without electricity. Late at night, three artillery shells exploded near a school in Luhanske.

Source: UNIAN