Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
12.05.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

79th Airborne Brigade of Ukraine. Photo: Fekla Malahit

Despite some “agreements” [that had allegedly been reached], Russian-terrorist troops engaged in active hostilities in the area of Donetsk during the past 24 hours. In addition to shelling, they simultaneously attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops near Opytne, in order to encircle our units stationed in the area of the Donetsk Airport. The enemy also delivered concentrated fire strikes along the entire line of contact in the vicinity of Donetsk. Multiple clashes between units of Russian-terrorist and Ukrainian troops were reported in the zone between Staromykhailivka and the Petrovsky district of Donetsk.

As a result of the counter-battery firefights and strikes of Ukrainian artillery on the positions of Russian-terrorist troops in the area of Volnovakha–Novotroitske– Dokuchajevsk, enemy frontline units that advanced towards Volnovakha have suffered significant losses. Several checkpoints and entrenched positions of the terrorists were destroyed; the dead and wounded are being transported to the area of Olenivka. At some of the destroyed positions, the enemy is not evacuating the bodies of the killed insurgents.

Meanwhile, a large enemy formation, equipped with artillery and armored vehicles, is concentrated behind Dokuchajevsk and Olenivka. [Our sources] were able to identify at least 3 reinforced company tactical groups of the Russian army, and several “composite” groups of local insurgents used as “lead teams” (the latter experience the majority of casualties). A single command center reportedly coordinates the Russian-terrorist troops in this district. The enemy continues to engage in counter-battery fights with Ukrainian artillery in the area, mainly firing from positions near Dokuchajevsk. We are receiving reports of enemy artillery striking residential areas as well.

The insurgents continue to set up new artillery firing positions near Makiivka (in the northern and northwestern outskirts of the town). During the last 24 hours, the enemy has delivered massive fire strikes onto the positions of Ukrainian troops in the area of Debaltseve; there are casualties among the local civilians.

The positions of Ukrainian troops to the north and northwest of Luhansk have experienced an increase in heavy shellings (the IR group earlier noted the arrival of a large insurgent artillery group in this area – at least two divisions of cannon and rocket artillery). During yesterday’s battle near Stanytsia Luhanska, the enemy used tanks en masse (8 units). The offensive was disrupted by the return fire of Ukrainian troops. As a result, the enemy lost at least 1 tank.

79th Airborne Brigade of Ukraine. Photo: Fekla Malahit

A “wandering” enemy artillery group was noticed in the area of the Bakhmut highway. We were able to identify 6 units of 2S1 Gvozdika 122-mm self-propelled artillery systems, which changed their firing positions.

A convoy of insurgents wounded in fights near Schastya (up to 80 persons) arrived in Luhansk. Most of the wounded will be evacuated to Rostov-on-Don (Russia). A convoy of 3 URAL trucks traveled from Horlivka towards Yenakijeve, carrying dead bodies of insurgents and Russian servicemen. Another convoy with dead bodies arrived from Donetsk to Makiivka (at least 2 covered URAL trucks escorted by Russian military dressed as local insurgents with DNR [Donetsk People’s Republic] insignia).

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB