Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.09.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

The situation in the vicinity of Debaltseve, Shchastya–Stanytsia Luhanska, and Trokhizbenka–Krymske remains extremely tense. Russian-terrorist forces continue to regroup in these areas, actively compensating for the losses incurred here during previous battles. The main routes used by the enemy to transfer personnel and weapons towards Debaltseve is the highway through Antratsyt – Krasnyi Luch; and towards the area of Shchastya–Stanytsia Luhanska, and Trokhizbenka–Krymske – the highway through Krasnodon–Luhansk. Over the past weekend (February 7-8, 2015) the passage of supply convoys on these routes has been observed (about 60 covered cargo trucks and over 50 armored vehicles). During the past 24 hours, insurgents have moved about 25 armored vehicles into the vicinity of Debaltseve (15 tanks and 10 AFVa [armored fighting vehicles]), 2 batteries of MT-12 “Rapira” antitank guns (8 guns), 4 MRLS systems.

Also, the enemy is conducting active evacuation and repair of military equipment that was previously damaged in the fighting on the Debaltseve springboard (although only about 8-10% of the total number of the failed military equipment gets back into operation). Repair facilities and equipment used for the repair are located in Perevalsk, Horlivka, Makiivka; part of the equipment gets towed to the “home base” in Snizhne.

To use the insurgents’ terminology, a ‘rotation’ of Russian-terrorist troop units, which earlier stormed Vuhlerhirsk and attempted to engage in the offensive north of the settlement, continues (in reality, it is a resupply to restore the combat capability of the units that suffered heavy losses). For these purposes, another batch of military equipment and manpower has been transferred into the vicinity of Horlivka (up to 300 people, partly – local insurgents recruited in the southern areas of the ‘DNR’ and ‘LNR,’ [‘Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics’] and partly – Russian mercenaries, as well as up to 20 vehicles, including 8 tanks and 2 trucks with mounted ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns).

The positions of Russian-terrorist troops east of Debaltseve are mainly occupied by units of the Russian army (“little green men”). Overall, there are two tactical groups of 350-400 people, each [equipped] with standard armored vehicles (up to 15 tanks and 50 ACVs [armored combat vehicles], up to 20 specialized vehicles, and about 10 AFVs) and supported by an artillery group operating from the area of Alchevsk–Perevalsk (24 units of barrel artillery and 8 MLRS units). Detachments staffed with local insurgents with the support of 6 tanks and 5 AFVs have been moved to advanced positions, in front of the Russian units.

An enemy tactical group which the IR group has previously reported about, has completed a “hidden march” to the frontline (northeast of Yenakiieve) from its earlier position in Makiivka. The transfer was performed by small groups, who arrived in the area of concentration by dark. Overall, close to 350 people, 30 armored vehicles (including 6 tanks), about 15 automobile units and two mortar batteries (12 mortars) from this group were transferred to the southwest corner of the Debaltseve springboard.

Daily, about two combined convoys with fuel and ammunition pass through Alchevsk (their main destinations are Bryanka, Pervomaiske, Chornukhyne). On average, every convoy is composed of 15-20 vehicles accompanied by 2-3 armored vehicles (usually BMP-2 or BTR-70, 80), up to an infantry platoon as a team escort.

The intensification of Russian-terrorist troops is observed south of Donetsk. Besides a previously deployed advanced avant-garde company tactical group the IR has reported about, the main forces of an enemy battalion tactical group (BTG), staffed by the Russian servicemen, continue to arrive in the area of Dokuchajevsk. Overall, the arrival of up to 25 armored vehicles (BMP-1,2, up to 5 units of MT-LB, 8 units of BTR-80) has been observed in the area. In addition, a gathering of a consolidated artillery group has been observed in the area (4 batteries, 2 of them are MLRS (12 units), 8 units of self-propelled artillery, and 6 D-30 howitzers). According to our data, the “zone of responsibility” of the BTG will include the district of the settlements of Novolaspa, Troitske, Olenivka and will spread out up to the settlement of Stepne.

Meanwhile, one more BTG is currently formed on the basis of a mechanized infantry unit of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation, which will also be directed to this area. This BTG will also include a unit of mercenaries instructed in a training camp In Perevalne (Crimea).

Over the past weekend, the Ukrainian artillery (MLRS) inflicted a fire attack on the armored vehicles of the enemy concentrated north of Novoazovsk. In the area north of Vuhlehirsk, a group of Ukrainian tanks dealt a fire attack on the advanced units of the enemy.

Over the last weekend, the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine along with the Isa Munayev Battalion drove the enemy from the settlement of Chornukhyne. Therefore, the enemy’s defense has been violated in the vicinity of Mius–Novohryhorivka.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
All photos are of Ukrainian volunteers and troops at the front lines in the vicinity of Debaltseve. Photo source: Alexander Khadzhinov, ArmiyaSOS volunteer, FB