Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
08.06.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue to actively shell both the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian objects, using small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm artillery, and armored vehicles.

During the last 24 hours, terrorists used six groups of armored vehicles (including tanks):

• In the area of Donetsk airport and the settlement of Opytne, two armored groups were observed (one group included three tanks, six IFVs and APCs, and the other group – two tanks and up to 10 IFVs and APCs). These armored groups fired on the positions of ATO forces from dispersed firing positions in the dark;

• Two more armored groups of militants operate in the vicinity of Mar’inka (one group includes at least eight tanks, another – two tanks);

• In the area of Hranitne an armored group operates on the first line – up to a tank company [in size] (5-6 tanks operating on the forefront) and about 10 ACVs (mainly BMP-2). A short shelling from two tanks and a BMP-2 (30 mm automatic cannon) from the greenery was observed in this area ;

• Another armored group (up to a tank company in size, 6-7 tanks) operates in the area of the  Svitlodarsk springboard from the direction of Luhanske and Myronivske. In this area, terrorists usually operate armored vehicles in combinations of “tanks + mortars.”

During the last 24 hours, the following armed confrontations were observed:

• In the vicinity of Troitske and south of Verkhnotoretske the enemy made two attempts to infiltrate ATO forces’ combat formations using two infantry groups (each up to a reinforced platoon in size, about 28-30 persons) under cover of 120 mm mortars. The enemy was driven back to its original positions by [the] return fire [of Ukrainian troops];

• In the area of Chermalyk – Mykolayivka, the enemy followed the same scenario. A militant infantry group went into the greenery and then attempted to move closer to the positions of Ukrainian troops under cover of mortar fire by pretending to launching an intrusion to divert attention from its sabotage and reconnaissance group, which at that time was attempting infiltration on a neighboring/an adjacent site. After return fire, the infantry group and the sabotage and reconnaissance group of militants retreated to the starting line.

In the coastal areas (the area between Chermalyk – Mykolaivka), terrorists actively operate with several infantry groups from the greenery in the neutral zone, with support fire from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery, trying to get closer to the positions of the ATO forces at a distance of effective fire. Militant use of AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and ZU-23-2 mobile antiaircraft systems on transport platforms was observed in the area.

South of Donetsk (in the area of Berezove, Hranitne, and Staromariyvka), [Russia-backed] militants continue their armed provocations, trying to identify the configuration and firepower in the defense system of Ukrainian troops. In particular, the militants carry out short raids in the area from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 122 mm artillery, and use small groups of armored vehicles (2-3 tanks, 3-4 BBMs), trying to provoke return fire in order to determine the locations of firepower, and the engineering installations of the ATO forces.

Most of the terrorist shelling and armed provocations are carried out in a wide area from Mar’inka up to the northwestern outskirts of Horlivka. In fact, in this entire bend, militants carry out fire strikes in a permanent mode, using various means of destruction.

During the past 24 hours, the enemy used its artillery batteries from positions in the vicinity of Yasynuvata and Spartak and fired from 122 mm and 152 mm artillery at the positions of Ukrainian troops to the southwest of Avdiivka, in its northern outskirts, near Opytne, Vodyane, and to the northeast of Pisky. Terrorists fired from 120 mm and 82 mm mortars in the area of Krasnohorivka, Lozove, Leninske, and Shumy.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Terrorists opened fire, from 82 mm mortars 2B9 “Vasilek” and 120-mm mortars, onto the positions of the ATO forces in the vicinity of Kurdyumivka and Zelenopillya. Following the recent fire raid on Svitlodarsk and the Vuhlehirsk thermal power plant, the enemy periodically conducts “harassing” fire from small arms, AGS-17, anti-tank grenade launchers, and 82 mm mortars in the area (a similar pattern is observed in the area of Luhanske, Popasna, Zolote).

The enemy is gradually increasing the number of troops and military equipment in several locations simultaneously – the area of ​​Stakhanov – Pervomaisk – Kirovsk (the regrouping of armored vehicles was recorded), troops and artillery are transferred to the area of Zhelobok – Frunze, and also in the vicinity of Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska (near Khrystove and Obozne).

In the coastal areas, two large terrorist military equipment bases were created in Sakhanka (23-25 ​​vehicles, including 8 tanks) and Bezimenne (up to 30 combat vehicles, including 11-12 tanks). According to the IR group, these actions by Russian-terrorist troop command call for the special attention of the Ukrainian military and political leadership in the context of the “demilitarization of Shyrokyne.”

According to updated data, a militant combat training battalion is currently deployed near Mospyne. [The battalion] includes a reinforced consolidated tank company (up to 15 tanks of various modifications of T-64 and T-72) and 22 other vehicles, which corresponds to the typical range of weapons of a Russian Armed Forces infantry battalion. The unit is supplied through Starobesheve and Ilovaisk.

Between Lutuhyne and Novofedorivka, six 152-mm 2S3 “Akatsiya” self-propelled guns and four transport and loading vehicles were recorded on march. The convoy maintained disguise on the march and drove off the roads in the dark. While in the deep rear, the battery moved with combat outposts – three BTR-80 with infantry in armored vehicles.

During the last 24 hours, militants transferred four trailers with T-72B tanks, four BTR-80, two BMP-1, two BMP-2, four BTR-80A, two BMP-97 “Vystrel,” a GAS-2330 “Tigr,” and three BRDM-2 to the area of Luhansk from the direction of Krasnodon.

In Horlivka, Yenakijeve, and Makiivka, the “DNR” leadership is actively conducting recruitment and propaganda work among the taxi drivers, transport companies, and private contractors to draw them into the ranks of the “DNR army” as cargo drivers. They are promised a guaranteed income and a “high status as a DNR Army serviceman.”

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
Images source: Yuriy Kasyanov FB

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