Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.04.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, Russian-terrorist troop activity has diminished somewhat in the conflict zone in Donbas. Nevertheless, the enemy continues shelling ATO forces’ positions and civilian targets from such weapons as heavy-machine guns (including their APCs’ on-board weaponry), hand-held and automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns.

In particular, during the past 24 hours, terrorists shelled the ATO forces’ strongholds located south of the Irmino – Svitlodarsk motorway, in the vicinity of Troitske. Operating here was a mobile militant fire team from Kalynove, which used small arms, as well as an AGS-17 and several SPG-9’s. After the shelling, terrorists fell back behind their combat lines.

Active terrorist shellings were recorded in several sections north and northeast of Avdiivka. Ukrainian troop positions near Novoselivka Druha [Novoselivka-2] and Kamyanka were shelled, including from two 82 mm mortars. Fire was conducted from the direction of the N5 Mine’s spoil bank, as well as from the northern outskirts of Vasylivka. Militants also shelled the ATO forces’ stronghold on the H20 motorway, northwest of Avdiivka – from the direction of Kruta Balka and Vasylivka (from the private residence area in the western part of the village, and the nearby wooded area. The enemy deployed grenade launchers (SPG-9 in five instances, as well as an AGS-17 to provide covering fire for the retreat of the terrorist infantry group that was firing from machine guns and submachine guns).

In the vicinity of Donetsk, the ATO forces’ positions near Opytne and the Kiltseva Road [Donetsk Bypass] came under fire from several positions near Spartak (including using the on-board guns of two BTR-80’s). The same Ukrainian troop positions were shelled from the direction of the DAP with a ZU-23-2.

Several militant sniper groups are operating in the vicinity of Novhorodske, Mar’inka, Krasnohorivka, Zaitseve, and Hranitne.

In the vicinity of Shyrokyne, a militant infantry group, operating under cover of three AGS-17’s, entered the neutral zone and opened small arms fire on the advanced ATO positions located northwest of Shyrokyne. After receiving an adequate response from the ATO forces’ battlefiend security, militants fell back to their original lines.

During the past several days, we have been observing a markedly low level of fire discipline and a significant degree of psychological instability among the personnel of the Russian-terrorist formations. In most cases, fire is unsighted and opened chaotically, the neutral zone is being shelled without any reason, and in some cases, terrorists open fire on their own flanks and in the rear. Thus, a private residential building near Staromykhailivka was destroyed from an AGS-17 for no reason.

Also, during the past several days, we are observing less movement of equipment and personnel in the militants’ rear, as well as less regrouping of armed gangs in the vicinity of the demarcation line.

Nevertheless, the redeployment of a militant battalion tactical group (BTG) to Yenakijeve continues, which began right before the New Year holidays. Small militant groups with armored equipment (sometimes up to one reinforced platoon in strength, 35-40 personnel; sometimes, up to 70 personnel) are arriving in the vicinity of Yenakijeve, the nearby settlements (Oleksandrivske, Bulavynske, Yunokomunarivsk), and in Vuhlehirsk. At this time, the total number of militants additionally transferred to this area stands at 365-370, plus 30-32 armored combat vehicles (mainly BMP-1 and BMP-2, plus 7-8 MT-LB’s, of which 3-4 carry “Shturm-S” anti-tank systems). A company-level militant tank group (10-11 tanks) was transferred to the vicinity of Kayutyne; the equipment is deployed at camouflaged positions. The BTG also employs artillery – 4-5 122 mm “Grad” BM-21 units, and a self-propelled howitzer artillery battery of six 122 mm “Gvozdika” 2S1 self-propelled guns, concentrated southwest of Pryberezhne. Several MT-LB’s with trailer-mounted “Rapira” MT-12 anti-tank weapons arrived in Vuhlehirsk. The BTG is being transferred from the southern direction of operations, from the vicinity of the so-called “Torez training center.” It is staffed with Russian personnel (at this time, we have no confirmed information whether this means Russian mercenaries or servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces).

Militants withdrew some of their armored combat vehicles (three BMP-2’s) from the area of Kominternove in the direction of Zaichenko, however, at least 8 armored vehicles and a militant tank platoon (three tanks southwest of Kominternove, in the direction of Dzerzhynske) remain at camouflaged positions in the vicinity of Kominternove. Terrorists also continue firing mortars (82 mm) on the ATO forces’ positions near the T0519 motorway and east of Lomakyne village;  the settlement of Vodyane was also shelled. Militants equipped a checkpoint at the exit from Kominternove in the direction of Talakivka.

After the New Year festivities, the “Lutuhyne camps” are expecting the arrival of two militant “motorized rifle companies,” part of one of the motorized rifle brigades of the “2nd Army Corps,” for operational coordination. The equipment has already arrived here – sixteen BMP-1’s and BMP-2’s, and eight MT-LB’s, complete with drivers, mechanics, and security. Tanks withdrawn from the front line north of Luhansk are also being transferred here (22 units, stored at several sites).

A Ukrainian soldier at the front line. Aleksiy Mazepa told TV 112 that the soldiers in the ATO had been supplied with winter uniforms, extra fuel for vehicles and space heaters. Photo via Unian.net

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
DAP – Donetsk International Airport
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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