Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.20.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue actively shelling the ATO forces’ positions, using DRGs to lay mines in the neutral zone, and approaching Ukrainian troops’ strongholds and checkpoints.

During the past 24 hours, militants opened fire on the ATO forces’ advanced positions near Mar’inka, as well as north of the town. Fire came from the west outskirts of Oleksandrivka and the Trudovski district [of Donetsk]. Terrorists used AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers (three units) and small arms (including heavy machine guns at two firing points).

Ukrainian troop positions near Pisky were shelled with 82 mm mortars and heavy machine guns from the direction of Zhobunky and Vesele. Militants shelled the ATO forces’ positions near Opytne from the direction of DAP and Spartak, using SPG-9’s, ZU-23-2’s, and small arms. The enemy fired 82 mm mortars and AGS-17’s on the town of Avdiivka (from the direction of Yasynuvata junction, the 252.2 m high ground and Kruta Balka).

Militant sniper groups are operating continuously on the stretch between Pisky and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka, usually under cover provided by other armaments (most commonly, 82 mm mortars and AGS-17).

Shellings by Russian-terorrist troops were also recorded south of Mayorsk, east of Novhorodske (from the 30 mm automatic cannon of a BMP-2), near Zaitseve (from ZU-23-2), and Starohnativka (small arms and AGS-17). Near Skeleve, Rozsadky, and Troitske, militants also used small arms and, in several instances, 82 mm mortars.

Enemy forces are more active in the coastal regions. Grenade launchers (AGS-17 and SGP-9) were fired towards Shyrokyne from the direction of Sakhanka, while Vodyane was shelled from 82 mm mortars. Small terrorist infantry groups entered the neutral zone and attempted to approach the ATO forces’ positions for close-range fire from small arms and RPG’s.

Militants are returning towards Luhansk armored vehicles that were previously removed from this area. Several convoys of ACV’s were spotted in the southern districts of the city: two BRM-1K’s and several MT-LB’s (as well as eight motor vehicles) were spotted near Yuzhnograd trade center, moving north; four BTR-80’s, two MT-LB’s, and four army trucks were seen east of the Proletariatu Donbasu [Donbas Proleteriate] quarter.

Militants are transferring reinforcements to the area of Horlivka, through Rumyantseva Street and Mykytivka, to strengthen the tactical group that continues firing on Zaitseve. The reinforcements spotted on the move included personnel (up to one company, on board of vehicles) and an armored group (three BMP-2’s and two MT-LB’s).

Northeast of Yenakijeve (between Bulavynske and Oleksandrivske), terrorist tanks were observed – 11 units. The tanks are entrenched in a forested area and camouflaged.

A terrorist command point is being transferred from one of the districts of Donetsk further south. The convoy includes three command and staff vehicles (KSM), two GAZ-66 vehicles, two Kamaz trucks (tented), two BTR-80’s, and one BMP-2.

A militant armored group of four BTR-70’s and BTR-80’s, and two BTP-2, arrived near Styla. The armored group was accompanied by two fuel tanker trucks.

Militants transferred an additional mortar unit (four 120 mm mortars) to the area of Telmanove, from the direction of Starobesheve.

Photo source: Hromadske Radio

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
AGS-17 – automatic grenade launcher
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTG – battalion tactical group
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
BRDM – armored reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle
BRM – armored reconnaissance vehicle
DAP – Donetsk International Airport
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
ZU-23-2 – anti-aircraft artillery system

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