Russian-backed militants have opened fire on the positions of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) in Donbas 25 times over the past 24 hours, killing two Ukrainian servicemen and wounding two more, according to the JFO's press center.

"Russian occupation forces were active in the hours of darkness near the villages of Krymske, Novozvanivka, Opytne, Maryinka, Vodiane, Shyrokyne. In total, the enemy violated the ceasefire 25 times, including twice with the use of mortars. Joint Forces units prevented the provocative actions of the enemy and responded adequately," reads a report as of 07:00 on Thursday, which was posted on the Facebook page of the JFO.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, five militants were killed and three more wounded

Since the beginning of the current day militants in Luhansk region have fired five times on Ukrainian positions from 120mm and 82mm mortars near the villages of Krymske and Novotoshkivske.