Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.06.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Units of Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops and provoking them to open return fire; civilian targets are also coming under militant fire. During the past 24 hours, terrorists used small arms, including heavy machine guns (including the on-board weaponry of APCs, firing from a stationary position), hand-held and automatic grenade launchers, 82 mm mortars, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. Fire was mainly unsighted and conducted erratically. Additionally, militants fired two rounds at the neutral zone from a 120 mm mortar.

In particular, during the past 24 hours, terrorists in the vicinity of Donetsk opened fire on the Ukrainian troop positions near Opytne (a militant group operated from the direction of the destroyed radar station of the DAP, using small arms; additionally, two AGS-17’s were used from the direction of Spartak). A[n ATO] stronghold located near the former air defense unit (Donetsk Bypass) was also shelled. Additionally, the on-board weaponry of a BTR-80 was used to shell the advanced positions of the ATO in the vicinity of Pisky (the armored vehicles arrived at firing positions through the residential sector in the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate). Militants fired 5 shots from a 82 mm mortar from the direction of Zhabunky [estate of Avdiivka].

Militants actively shelled Ukrainian troop position in the section between the Zhovanka river and Zaitseve. Namely, the enemy delivered aimed fire on the ATO forces’ stronghold northeast of the Zhovanka, from several SPG-9’s, ZU-23-2’s, and AGS-17’s. Later, a militant infantry group (up to 20 personnel) was recorded in the same area, opening small arms fire on the ATO positions from the neutral zone; a sniper was operating as part of this group.

In the area between the Skeleva river and Rozsadky, the ATO forces’ positions were shelled from the on-board weapons of a BTR-80 (which arrived from the direction of Nyzhne Lozove). Militants in the same area later opened fire from machine guns, but the fire was unsighted and erratic.

Militants also shelled front line sections in the vicinity of Novoselivka, Dokuchajevsk, Shchastya, Mar’inka, south of Novozvanivka, near Zaitseve, Mayorsk, and Troitske.

During the past 24 hours, we recorded several firefights and explosions (allegedly, hand grenades) behind the militants’ combat lines. In at least one instance, a terrorist detonated a land mine that had been laid by militants earlier.

Militant formations are being reinforced in the stretch between Dokuchajevsk and Olenivka. During the past 24 hours, several APC’s and MT-LB’s were transferred to this area, as well as three trucks with trailer-mounted 120 mm mortars.

The so-called “DNR Ministry of Internal Affairs” announced that the deadline for firearm registration by local residents has been extended to 01.02.2016. Between May and November 2015, 411 civilians applied to register a total of 498 rifled hunting weapons, a total of 2,536 smooth hunting guns were registered by 2,152 persons. Registration of combat firearms with caliber up to 11.43 mm started on 25.05.2015.

The “committee for foreign politics and international relations” of the “DNR People’s Council” intends to send an address to the National Assembly of France requesting application of Article 68 of the Constitution of France against the President of France François Hollande (the article stipulates removal of the President of France from office in case of failure to perform his duties). In particular, the “DNR” is accusing François Hollande of violating the clauses of the Agreement on the Settlement of Crisis in Ukraine of February 21, 2014, signed by Viktor Yanukovych (at that time, the President of Ukraine) and representatives [of several EU states], including France, with mediation by representatives of the European Union (Eric Fournier, Director for Continental Europe within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic).

In DNR-controlled settlements, the “DNR” chieftain Ihor Plotnitsky prohibited the directors of community centers and other institutions suitable for mass gatherings from allowing any so-called “Cossack” formations and associations to use their premises. Heads of facilities held in municipal property were instructed to terminate all existing lease agreements with representatives of “Cossack” formations.

Ukrainian military strengthen a dugout at their positions near the town Dokuchajevsk, Donetsk region, December 10, 2015
Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
AGS-17 – automatic grenade launcher
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
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
ZU-23-2 – anti-aircraft artillery system

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