Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.24.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Operational data from Information Resistance:
Over the last twenty-four hours, massive shelling continued on Ukrainian troop positions and civilian targets in the area of Shyrokyne. Russian-terrorist troops made two attempts to break through the defense lines of Ukrainian units; the attempted assaults were supported by armored vehicles (including at least 6 tanks). The enemy also delivered massive MRLS and cannon artillery fire around the settlements of Oktyabr and Zaichenko. The enemy is pulling up armored vehicles in the Novoazovsk sector (four tanks were spotted moving along the T0508 motorway).
After the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from the Debaltseve springboard, Russian-terrorist troops continue attempting an offensive in this area. In particular, two Russian-terrorist tactical groups (each one up to a reinforced company in strength, and supported by 5 units of combat equipment) attempted to attach the front positions of Ukrainian troops in the area of the Luhanske – Svitlodarsk separation line. These groups were supported by a terrorist mortar unit. Ukrainian units fired on the enemy groups, forcing them to stop and retreat to their initial lines.
Azov Battalion selfies near Shyrokyne
Firefights between individual ‘DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] and ‘LNR’ [Luhansk People’s Republic] gangs are taking place in the area of Debaltseve.
The terrorists continue shelling the Avdiivka Coke and Chemical Plant, purposefully striving to shut the plant down (part of this facility has already stopped operations).
On the Yasynuvata – Panteleimonivka stretch, the enemy continues concentrating a tactical strike group (at least 35 armored vehicles spread out in groups of 5-7 units). This area is also expecting arrival of mortar units and the artillery group (in part or in full) from Yenakijeve. The artillery group in question, which had supported the “Horlivka DNR Brigade” during the Debaltseve offensive, includes 26 units of cannon artillery and self-propelled guns, and five multiple rocket launcher systems.
The concentration of Russian-terrorist combat formations continues on the Stepne – Dokuchajevsk stretch. However, the enemy’s heavy armaments in this area currently remain withdrawn deeper behind the lines, and the Russian-artillery group deployed in this area does not open fire at this time. In this area, the enemy is using mortars and small arms, and scouting out the positions of Ukrainian troops, including through aerial reconnaissance (we observe 12-15 Russian-terrorist drone flights per day in this sector).
In the territory controlled by the ‘LNR’ [Luhansk People’s Republic], the Russian-terrorist command continues presenting a picture of the “withdrawal of heavy armaments.” In reality, the combat equipment is only being slightly withdrawn from the front line and concentrated in many well-camouflaged “storages.” Civilian settlements (with private housing) are primarily used for this purpose.
A transfer point of Russian-terrorist troops has been set up south of Luhansk. Equipment and armaments arriving from Russia are being transported here; as is some of the heavy weaponry withdrawn from the front line.
Shipments of supplies, equipment and ammunition from Russia to Donbas continue. Over the last twenty-four hours, we observed at least three supply convoys, one of which (consisting of 22 vehicles) proceeded to Donetsk.
The share of various models of T-72 tanks is increasing among the heavy weaponry being transported from Russia to Donbas. Such tanks are not in the service of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (previously, Russians mainly transferred various models of T-64 tanks, also employed by the Ukrainian army).
Photo: A comparison of T-62 and T-72 tank models. Despite the similarities in the two tanks’ silhouettes, T-72 has larger, characteristically shaped wheels and a number of other differences visible upon inspection.
Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
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