Illegal armed formations after an attack at Novoluhanske (Bakhmut District, Donetsk region) on December 18 attacked Kadiyivka (former Stakhanov, located on the occupied area of Luhansk region) aiming at discrediting the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters has reported.

"Yesterday, on December 18, after a daring and merciless shelling of residential areas of the village of Novoluhanske by Russian-occupation forces using the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers…for the further discrediting of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and causing hatred of the civilian population in the temporarily occupied areas, the enemy opened fire on settlements, including Kadiyivka (Stakhanov)," the press center said on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

The ATO HQ said that these provocations are aimed at discrediting Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the eyes of the world community.

"Russian-occupation forces and mercenaries, most of whom are asocial elements of different nationalities, do not spare the lives of Ukrainian citizens who continue to live in the occupied frontline settlements due to the desperate situation," the headquarters said.