Russian-backed shootings continuing after Zolote withdrawal

Russian-backed forces extended their shootings in
Donbas into November despite the completed withdrawal of soldiers and hardware
in the Luhansk region town of Zolote, the Joint Forces Operation press center
reported on Nov. 3. Six ceasefire violations were reported on Nov. 3 at several
sites along the separation line, injuring one Ukrainian soldier. One of these
shootings was reported in the area of Zolote, but beyond the forces withdrawal
area.

Measures are still being taken at Zolote even after
the completed withdrawal of forces and hardware on Nov. 1, the statement said.
“Technical reviews, the demining of roads and curbs, and the removal of
explosive materials are occurring, which will continue to Nov. 9, according to
schedule,” the statement said.

On Nov. 2, free movement of all citizens was renewed
in Zolote, several military officers confirmed at a briefing in the town that
day, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine. They said the ceasefire has been upheld
for 12 days in the area, despite reports from the Joint Forces Operation press
center to the contrary. They added that a withdrawal was also completed last
week in the village of Katerynivka in the area.

Also on Nov. 2, Russian-backed fighters violated the
ceasefire regime 15 times along the Donbas separation line, injuring two
soldiers, the press center said. “The Russian mercenaries shot at Joint Forces
positions from 120 mm mortars prohibited by the Minsk Accords, as well as
grenade launchers, high caliber machine guns and rifles,” the press center
said.

The next planned withdrawal of forces, which was
supposed to happen on Nov. 4 in the town of Petrivske in the Luhansk region,
has been postponed owing to shootings in the immediate area that were recorded
on Oct. 30, Defense Minister Andriy Zahorodniuk told reporters on Nov. 1.

Zenon Zawada: Given that
shootings didn’t stop the forces withdrawal in Zolote, it’s not clear why they
would delay the withdrawal in Petrivske. So the Zelensky administration is
making these decisions on withdrawals without any clear consistency.
Nonetheless, it’s apparent the Zelensky administration will move forward
aggressively, with the Petrivske withdrawal likely to begin this week.

Ukraine’s pro-Western forces have yet to announce any
protests of the withdrawals. The paramilitaries have remained silent for a week
now.