Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.05.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the active offensive operations, which the Russian-terrorist troops carried out in Donbas during January and early February 2015, the latter are faced with the problem of overspending ammunition (primarily for cannon artillery and MLRS). According to the calculations of the insurgents themselves, the firing division operating in the direction of the ‘main strike’ uses up to 150 tons of shells per day, on average, in the course of the ‘offensive.’ Supplies from Russia do not cover such ammunition expenditure. This has caused a relative decrease in the intensity of attacks by terrorists in the past days.

At present, the command of the Russian-terrorist troops is trying to solve this problem. Over the past few days, an average of 2 troop trains have been arriving at the unloading station in Ilovaysk every night, carrying ammunition of the most commonly used calibers, which, the next day, is delivered either directly to the firing positions (in most cases), or to ‘distribution warehouses and bases.’

Current requests for ammunition from individual terrorist formations are satisfied via motor transport. For instance, after a powerful artillery group of Russian-terrorist troops (26 self-propelled artillery units (SAU) of MSTA-S 2S19) was transferred to the vicinity of Donetsk, insurgents have been delivering ammunition for this artillery group over the course of the last three days, by motor vehicles (we have reports of an average of 20 laden ‘KAMAZ ‘ [trucks] per day).

Up to a battalion’s worth of Russian infantry terrorist troops (mostly – Russian mercenaries disguised ‘as militia’) was spotted transferring from the southern lines to the area north of Yenakijeve, in the south-eastern outskirts of Horlivka, as reinforcements. The reinforcements are being delivered by trucks; armored vehicles for this unit are expected to arrive, as well.

Debaltseve checkpoint. Screenshot from Vice News video, Dispatch 90

In the area of the Debaltseve springboard, Ukrainian artillery delivered a series of pre-emptive strikes on the Russian-terrorist lines and the places of concentration of their reserves. Multiple successful hits are reported (including, in some cases, detonation of the terrorists’ ammunition – in Krynka, north Yenakijeve, Bryanka, Sofiivka and a number of other areas). In particular, in the area of Bryanka, Ukrainian artillery delivered fire on the positions of the Russian Armed Forces’ reserve units with military equipment, and numerous detonation explosions were reported.

Debaltseve. Screenshot from Vice News video, Dispatch 90

In the vicinity of Makiivka, we note deployment of two enemy battalion tactical groups (BTG). One BTG is manned by Russian servicemen (camouflaged as ‘insurgents’); the second, not as well armed and equipped (deployed on the northern and north-eastern outskirts of the city), consists of local insurgents. Between them, the two BTG have a total of 18 tanks, 42 armored combat vehicles (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and MT-LB), and about 30 motor vehicles. The ‘Russian’ BTG has a dedicated MLRS battery (6 units) and a 122-mm howitzer D-30 battery (6 guns).

One of the militants killed in the battles for Chornukhyne, a ‘military commander’ from Perevalsk was identified as one G. Shirko, a ‘Colonel’ and a representative of the Russian ‘Cossacks’ – who came under a fire attack of Ukrainian artillery with a group of insurgents from Perevalsk.

In Popasna, insurgent artillery fire partially destroyed a number of homes and businesses, including a local bakery (where a fire broke out). There are casualties among the civilian population.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB