Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
12.18.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas are continuing to actively fire on Ukrainian troop positions and civilian targets (mainly using small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, and mortars). Most attacks are carried out haphazardly, without coordination between individual armed gangs.

The presence of individual tanks and artillery pieces (mostly 100 mm MT-12 “Rapira” [“Rapier”] anti-tank guns) can be observed on several sections of the front line. The weapons are mainly in camouflaged positions. At the same time, militants continue to transfer heavy weaponry to the front line.

During the past 24 hours, militants fired particularly actively on ATO forces’ positions near Pisky (using 82-mm mortars, heavy machine guns, and AGS-17 stand-mounted automatic grenade launchers – a minimum of three). Several enemy mobile infantry groups have been spotted on the stretch between Pisky and Avdiivka, where they tried covertly approaching Ukrainian troop positions and firing on ATO forces’ positions from within the neutral zone. In most cases, these groups operate under the cover of 82 mm mortars and Zu-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons. Snipers have also been identified among these groups.

Militants used 120 mm mortars near Avdiivka. Fire strikes were also recorded near Verkhnotoretske (small arms), close to the “Pivdenna” mine and to the village of Shumy (firing from the on-board weapons of a BTR-80 APC, and from SPG-9 grenade launchers), Zaitseve (82 mm mortars), Luhanske (from the direction of Sanzharivka and Nyzhnje Lozove, from 82 mm mortars and heavy machine guns), and Novhorodske.

Terrorists sharply intensified all forms of intelligence activities – ground, air, and radiotechnical.

The command structures of the two “army corps” (of the “DNR” and “LNR”) are actively continuing to spread rumors of a build-up of manpower and hardware by Ukrainian troops along the demarcation line, in preparation for a large-scale offensive. Attempts by Russian “supervisors” and “advisers” to refute the rumors meet with skepticism and incomprehension on the part of the leaders of the armed gangs.

The terrorists continue actively redeploying troops and resources. This includes moving heavy weaponry to the front line which should have been withdrawn from the demarcation line under the Minsk agreements:

• South of Staromykhailivka, the repositioning of three BM-21 “Grad” MLRS and two MT-LBs has been noted. Four Ural trucks with militant munitions and troops (one carrying a ZU-23-2), two BTR-80 and a BRDM-2 combat reconnaissance patrol vehicle arrived in Spartak. A militant combined unit (about one platoon in strength) arrived in the Trudovski district (Donetsk) equipped with small arms, AGS-17 stand-mounted automatic grenade launchers and SPG-9 recoilless guns (at least four details).

• A militant tactical group occupying positions along the Oktyabr – Zaichenko – Leninske – Sakhanka line (approxiamtely two companies) is redeploying the military hardware on its right flank during nighttime. Armored vehicles are being repositioned along the “front line” northwards and southwards (three to four vehicles per night – mainly MT-LB, BMP-1, and BMP-2). The repositioning of terrorist tanks has also been observed within this area.

• Militants continue delivering ammunition to the artillery group positioned on the south-eastern outskirts of Horlivka. Convoys of 4–5 trucks are arriving from Debaltseve (three convoys in the past two days), mainly consisting of open Ural trucks and several tented Kamaz trucks.

• Militants have brought in reinforcements from the direction of Styla towards Dokuchajevsk – two MT-LB (both carrying 120 mm mortars and militants). According to our preliminary information, the enemy is gradually concentrating a fire strike group near Dokuchajevsk.

• Militants are transferring reinforcements to areas south of Donetsk. In the past 24 hours, these included four BMP-2, two MT-LB, Kamaz trucks, and two Ural trucks, moving from the Kiltseva Doroha [Ring Road] to Olenivka.

• Terrorist reinforcements have arrived at positions near Staromarivka. This militant group is up to one platoon in strength and includes at least three 82 mm mortars.

The “DNR Ministry of Defence” intends to conclude a deal with the “Luhansk Cartridge Works” PJSC for the supply of five thousand 9 mm cartridges (“Luger” 9×19) to use in the testing of a new weapon prototype – a new small arms weapon developed at one of the factories in Donetsk. However, under the “current legislation” of the “LNR,” “Luhansk Cartridge Works” has not yet received an “LNR” license to export munitions.

In a number of “DNR” armed gangs, dissatisfaction is growing with the chronic delays in the payment of “soldiers’ allowances.” Currently, militant pay rates in the so-called “Army of the DNR” are 15,000 rubles [$208] for privates and 20,000 rubles [$278] for non-commissioned officers.

“DNR” ringleaders have prohibited export of maize and buckwheat seed from the temporarily occupied territories until 10.01.2016. In addition, starting 01.01.2016, there is a plan to levy a “customs duty” on goods and vehicles imported to the temporarily occupied territories.

Source: RFERL.org

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems

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