Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
11.02.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past weekend (10.31 – 11.01.2015), Russian-terrorist troops continued armed provocations in the ATO [anti-terrorism operation] zone. Specifically, militant provocations were recorded in the following areas:

• In the vicinity of Pisky – small arms fire (including heavy machine guns) from the direction of the DAP [Donetsk Airport]; multiple firings from a ZU-23-2 in the area of Opytne from the direction of Spartak;

• Militant infantry groups (numbering from 5–7 up to 30 personnel) were seen on the move on multiple occasions throughout the neutral zone north of Avdiivka, northeast of Holmivskiy, and in the area of Starohnativka. In most cases, these groups were surveying the front edge of the ATO forces, but fire was opened in several cases (small arms fire, including, in some instances, under-barrel grenade launchers and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers). Fire was aimed at the neutral zone as well as in the direction of Ukrainian troop positions;

• Enemy sniper activity was recorded in the vicinity of Mar’inka;

• Near Hranitne, and south towards Chermalyk and Pavlopil, mortar shells detonated in the neutral zone (mainly 82 mm shells, and several 120 mm ones). Several mortar shells detonated at the front edge of the ATO troops.

The terrorists continue radio and land surveillance, including with the use of sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Due to this, the number of SRG staffed by Russian spetsnaz (GRU) is decreasing throughout [the occupied territories], in favor of sabotage groups staffed by local militants with appropriate training.

Militants continue demonstrating a withdrawal of armaments. A “withdrawal of tanks” was presented in the coastal regions – a tank company (8 tanks) was moved from Bezimenne to an area north of Novoazovsk. Interestingly enough, militants had moved most of the tanks and other armored combat vehicles from this area (Bezimenne, Sakhanka) even before the “official” withdrawal. They were moved north, beyond the Telmanove – Novoazovsk motorway, and camouflaged in several areas south of Telmanove. Meanwhile, according to our data, at least 4 terrorist tanks remain in the vicinity of Bezimenne.

The movement of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars by militants remains a problem. According to the IR group’s data, after mass “manipulations” with the withdrawal of armored vehicles and artillery, militants focused their attention on mortar systems, returning them to the initial positions at the front line (taking advantage of the fact that the movement of these systems is hard to control).

A militant armored group (10 ACVs, mainly MT-LB, and BTR-70 and -80) was recorded near Ozeryanivka (southwestern outskirt of Horlivka), plus three more BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles somewhat to the north. Two camouflaged anti-aircraft systems were recorded in the same area. Militants are regrouping – some of the AVCs were moved forward (6 units to the front line), while a stronghold is being set up in the second echelon, to provide cover from the direction of Mykhailivka.

Large amounts of fuel and lubricants are being transported towards Donetsk, through Amvrosiivka and Snizhne, on fuel tanker trucks of different capacity and types (from army MAZ vehicles to MAN trucks with tanker trailers). [The fuel trucks] are moving in convoys with armed escort (usually 2-3 cars with militants, in some cases accompanied by 1-2 BTR-80 armored personnel carriers or BRDM-2 combat and reconnaissance vehicles).

More “LNR/DNR” [“Luhansk and Donetsk Peoples’ Republics”] militants are being hired to take part in the armed conflict in Syria. According to sources in the “DNR army,” militants are being told that they are going to fight on the side of ISIS.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

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