Ukraine

Russian-backed separatists launched a rare artillery barrage on the northeastern outskirts of the strategic government-held port city of Mariupol on August 16.

On August 10, Russian-backed separatist forces launched their largest combined arms assault against Ukrainian forces in the past two months.

Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine continued to launch indirect fire and probing infantry attacks against Ukrainian forces in a similar pattern to recent weeks as negotiators from Kyiv, Moscow and the separatist “republics” convened in Minsk to discuss the failing February 2015 ‘Minsk II’ ceasefire agreement.

Russian-backed separatists have intensified the scale of attacks on Ukrainian positions along the front line in Donbas undermining their recent efforts to advertise their “peaceful intentions.”

Civilian areas in both government and separatist-held areas came under increased fire this week despite a breakthrough in negotiations over the withdrawal of weapons from the front line.

Separatists continued to target Ukrainian forces with heavy weapons and small reconnaissance units across the front line in Donbas as both Ukrainian and separatist leaders combatted new internal security threats.

Russian backed Separatist forces have launched multiple unsuccessful assaults on Marinka, a Ukrainian held town near Donetsk.