SVATOVO (LPR), January 7 – RIA Novosti. The soldiers of the 488th motorized rifle regiment of the western unit group of the Russian Armed Forces destroyed the enemy stronghold in the direction of Svatov in the Donbass with the fire of the Soviet Msta-B howitzer on the eve of the armistice, the relevant personnel are at the disposal of RIA Novosti.

Earlier, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia offered to establish a Christmas truce from 12:00 on January 6 to 24:00 on January 7. Russian President Vladimir Putin then instructed Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to declare a ceasefire at a certain time along the entire line of contact in Ukraine. In line with the President’s instruction, a ceasefire decision was made for the troops.

“The artillery of the 488th regiment of the Western Military District of the RF Armed Forces destroyed the fortress of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, determined by aerial reconnaissance in the direction of Svatov, on the eve of the ceasefire,” said the commander.

He explained that Russian soldiers fired from a towed Msta-B howitzer of 152 mm caliber at the strong point that the Ukrainian security forces placed in a private house. Images of attacks on the enemy are at the disposal of RIA Novosti.

“The enemy is actively acting, we are actively trying to stop all his attacks,” said a soldier with the call sign “Zavod” at the scene.

The situation in the Donbass in the direction of Svatov escalated a few months ago. Ukrainian security forces regularly bomb Svatovo from the American HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, trying to break through the defenses in this strategically important area, paving the way for a number of settlements in the republic.