Incident Summary:

02/18/2020: Assailants shelled a Ukrainian forward observation post near Zolote, Luhansk, Ukraine. This was one of three coordinated attacks in the area on the same day. At least two people, including one Ukrainian soldier and one assailant, was killed and nine others, including four Ukrainian soldiers and five assailants, were injured in the ensuing clashes. The Luhansk People's Republic claimed responsibility for the incident, stating that Ukrainian security forces initiated the clashes.

GTD ID:
202002180032

When:
2020-02-18

Country:
Ukraine

Region:
Eastern Europe

Province/administrative
region/u.s. state:

Luhansk

City:
Near Zolote

Attack Information
Type of Attack (more) Armed Assault
Successful Attack? (more) Yes
Target Information (more)
Target Type: Military
Name of Entity Armed Forces of Ukraine
Specific Description Observation Post
Nationality of Target Ukraine
Additional Information
Hostages No
Ransom No
Property Damage Unknown
Extent of Property Damage Unknown
Value of Property Damage Unknown
Weapon Information
Type Sub-type
Explosives Projectile (rockets, mortars, RPGs, etc.)
Firearms Unknown Gun Type
Weapon Details
Tanks, 152-mm artillery, 120-mm mortars, and firearms were used in the attack.
Additional Information
Suicide Attack?No
Part of Multiple Incident?Yes
Criterion 1 (more) Yes
Criterion 2 (more) Yes
Criterion 3 (more) No
Doubt Terrorism Proper (more) Yes
Alternate Designation (more) Insurgency/Guerilla Action
Additional Information Casualty numbers represent a division of the total number of those killed and wounded across incidents 202002180031, 202002180032, 202002180033. Casualty numbers conflict across sources. Following GTD protocol, the most reliable estimates are reported here.
Perpetrator Group Information
Group Name Claimed Responsibility
Luhansk People's Republic Yes (Confirmed: Unknown; Mode: Personal claim)
Perpetrator Statistics
Number of Perpetrators Unknown
Number of Captured Perpetrators 0
Casualty Information
Total Number of Casualties 1 Fatalities / 3 Injured
Total Number of Fatalities 1
Number of U.S. Fatalities 0
Number of Perpetrator Fatalities 0
Total Number of Injured 3
Number of U.S. Injured 0
Number of Perpetrators Injured 3
Sources
"To Make a Diplomatic Point, Ukraine Rebels Open Fire," New York Times, February 18, 2020.
"OSCE Urges Restraint In East Ukraine After Uptick In Fighting Leads To Casualties," Radio Free Europe, February 19, 2020.
"Putin Problems: Why Is Ukraine's Frozen War Heating Up Again?," Yahoo! News, February 21, 2020.