Heavy fighting erupts near Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine
According to the December 18th evening summary of the Ukrainian Military command, five Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded in the fighting along the Svitlodarsk arc.
“Starting at 5:50 am, in the vicinity of Svitlodarsk arc, after a continuous large caliber artillery and mortar fire, the separatist army units attempted to push Ukrainian forces from their positions. The enemy, using a considerable manpower, attempted an encircling maneuver. The Ukrainian forces discovered this attempt and engaged the separatist units. Heavy fighting ensued. During the fight our forces [Ukrainian forces] got the upper hand,” the statement of the Ukrainian Army command reads.
Ukrainian reconnaissance reported that, as a result of this fight, 20 separatist were killed and 30 wounded.
“Unfortunately, we have suffered losses too. Five Ukrainian servicemen were killed and six wounded. Two of them received light injuries and four medium severity wounds. All the wounded soldiers received required medical treatment.” the Ukrainian Army command stated.