Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
12.24.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Despite the “ceasefire” declared for the holidays, Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue to carry out active shellings (using portable rocket systems such as the 9P132 “Grad-P” and antitank missile systems). [Russian-terrorist forces] also continue to seize new territories in the so-called “gray zone” in the coastal regions.

In particular, militants are expanding their presence in the “Kominternove zone” (Vodiane–Kominternove–Zaichenko) by transferring additional manpower and equipping positions in the area. Manpower and equipment are also being deployed to the right flank: in addition to the weapons delivered earlier, a transfer of up to six ACVs was detected from the direction of Novoazovsk towards Zaichenko (mainly BMP-2’s, a couple of MT-LB and ZU-23-2’s). From the Khomutovs’kyi Steppe, through the settlements of Rozy Lyuksemburh and Porokhnya, another armored group is heading to this area – three tanks, two MT-LBs (with two towed MT-12 antitank guns), four BTR-80’s, and one BRDM-2.

A Russian Armed Forces unit entered Kominternove along with a reinforced “motorized infantry company” of militants. Russian servicemen are attempting to limit numerous instances of looting by the “DNR” militants in this settlement.

In the area of Horlivka, militants fired at Ukrainian army positions between Shumy and Mayorsk using small arms and two AGS-17 heavy grenade launchers. The fire was carried out from two positions – from the Poselok 6-7 estate and from Smirnova St.

Terrorists used antitank missile systems in the area of Hranitne. In particular, a mlitant infantry group that previously held positions in the vicinity of Krasnyi Oktyabr (the IR group reported on their movement to this area) has moved to the front line north of Hranitne, towards Novohryhorivka, on vehicles with antitank missile systems. After taking their positions, militants fired twice from the missile systems towards an ATO forces checkpoint northwest of Hranitne.

Militants shelled advanced ATO forces’ strongholds south and southwest of Troitske from the neutral zone using “Grad-P.” The attacks were carried out by a militant infantry group which advanced from Kalynove (the IR group also reported about their arrival in the area from Alchevsk).

In the vicinity of Ozeryanivka, a militant infantry group with two BTR-80’s advanced to the front line from the western outskirt of the village and attempted to covertly approach the ATO forces stronghold north of the Batmanovka River. The terrorists were discovered by Ukrainian troop battlefield security which opened fire. During the armed clash [the enemy was] provided with covering fire from the on-board weapons of a BTR-80, after which the enemy retreated.

Militants were observed transferring artillery from Amvrosiivka towards Starobesheve, mainly away from the main roads. During the past 24 hours, the following artillery units were transferred, one or two at a time, eight 122 mm D-30 and D-30A howitzers, two MLRS BM-21 “Grad,” and five 2S1 “Carnation” self-propelled guns were transferred (accompanied by cars and AFVs).

“Let the Kremlin monster understand that Mariupol is Ukraine.”

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
BRDM – armored reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle
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

This translation work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The rights pertaining to the original work remain unaffected.