“Today [February 18] the guerrillas went into attack, trying to cross the line of contact in Lugansk region,” said the press center of the Joint Forces Operation. As a result of the fighting near the settlements of Novotoshkovskoe, Orekhovo, Krymskoe and Khutor Volny, one soldier of the Ukrainian army was killed and four others were wounded. There is also one dead and five wounded from the “LPR” fighters’ side.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that today’s meeting of the National Security Council will decide on further steps of Ukraine in connection with the attack of “LPR” fighters on the positions of the Joint Forces in Luhansk region on Tuesday morning:

“We are gathering a meeting of the National Security Council today. We will discuss and make decisions on further steps. Our course to end the war and our devotion to international agreements remains unchanged – as well as our determination to fight back any manifestations of armed aggression against Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on Facebook.

The President of Ukraine noted that today’s fight was organized by the “LPR” fighters on the fifth anniversary of the tragedy near Debaltsevo.

“This is not just a cynical provocation, the purpose of which is to press on Debaltsevo’s wound, which will never fully heal. This is an attempt to disrupt the peace process in Donbas, which began to move forward, though in small, but unstoppable steps,” said Zelensky.

Sources: Joint Forces Operation, Novosti Donbasa