Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.14.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces continue firing on Ukrainian troop positions and civilian targets, in the Ukraine-controlled as well as occupied territories. Terrorists have stepped up their activity on the stretch between Krymske and Trokhizbenka, where the reinforcement of their infantry units was noted earlier.

Shelling in all regions of the ATO is carried out using small arms, heavy machine guns (including the on-board guns of APCs), ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons, grenade launchers of various types, and 82 mm mortars.

During the past 24 hours, terrorists opened fire on two ATO forces’ strongholds from the direction of the Donetsk airport (DAP) and Spartak, using AGS-17 automatic stand-mounted grenade launchers, SPG-9 recoilless guns, small arms, and heavy machine guns. Near Pisky, fire provocations were carried out by an infantry group armed with RPGs and small arms, as well as by a BTR-80. Militants near Opytne and Avdiivka fired on Ukrainian troop positions using a 2B9 “Vasilek” mortar.

East of Verkhnotoretsk, provocative fire by a terrorist infantry group was supported by a mortar unit armed with 82-mm mortars. Near Troitske, militants used AGS-17’s and underbarrel grenade launchers. After a few bursts of [ATO forces’] return fire, the terrorists were forced to retreat. Strongholds in the vicinity of Mayorsk continue coming under fire from small arms, heavy machine guns, SPG-9’s and 82 mm mortars.

In order to reconnoiter the combat lines and identify the firing positions of Ukrainian troops, terrorists crept up to the advanced ATO forces positions west of Zaitseve and initiated a firefight. Faced with strong retaliation, occupiers were forced to retreat to their starting lines, under cover fire from 82 mm mortars and ZU-23-2’s.

Unsighted terrorist fire was recorded in the vicinity of Mar’inka, Hranitne, Staromykhailivka, Krasnohorivka, and other areas.

The movements of Russian-terrorist troops:

• A rapid build-up of militant troops and resources has been observed near Holubivske, Donetskyi, and Zholobok. Under the guise of “battalion tactical exercises,” terrorists are reinforcing their so-called “Stakhanov” fighting group near Alchevsk and Perevalsk. Three tanks, six BMP-1’s, and two MT-LB’s have been transferred to the vicinity of Stakhanov. A battery of five 122 mm BM-21 “Grad” MLRS was transferred to the area east of the town of Kirovsk. A terrorist infantry unit of up to 140 personnel has been transferred to the same area from Alchevsk.

• Large amounts of of materials, supplies, fuel, lubricants, and ammunition are being delivered to Russian-terrorist troop units deployed near Dokuchajevsk and Olenivka.

• An artillery command post has been deployed in the area of Obilne and Pavlohradske; one KSM-1 command and staff vehicle and two R-419 shelter trucks (“Kung”) arrived here.

• Four BTR-80’s, two BMP-2’s, and six army trucks proceeded from the direction of Makiivka towards Yenakijeve–Vuhlehirsk.

• Six railway wagons and three platform cars carrying six tented ACV’s arrived at Krasnodon railway station. The station was cordoned off by the local city commandant.

• A terrorist group near Mospyne has been reinforced with four 2S1 122 mm “Gvozdika” self-propelled guns, a PPRU mobile reconnaissance and troop control unit (lengthened model), and a standard MT-LB.

• Ten ACV’s and an infantry platoon were redeployed from the area of Telmanove towards Krasnyi Oktyabr and Nova Marivka.

The economic and social situation of the residents of the occupied territories is deteriorating. The collaborationist authorities are unable to pay miners their wages. Employees of Shakhtarskantratsyt State Enterprise are owed about 104 million rubles [US$ 1,361,800], employees of the Vuhlehirska Mine, 63 million rubles [US$ 824,930], and employees of the Zarya Mine (Snizhne), about 27 million rubles [US$ 353,540].

By demand of the leader of the “LNR” terrorist organization, Igor Plotnitsky, employees of educational establishments are required to submit resignation notes effective January 30th, 2015, and applications to be rehired starting January 6th, 2016. The occupying authorities explain this is by the need to reorganize the education system. These formalities will result in lack of [statutory] health improvement payments for teachers, and a break in the length of their teaching service [which will affect their social and retirement benefits].

Photo: IT Sector Kharkiv

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
AGS-17 – automatic grenade launcher
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTG – battalion tactical group
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
BRDM – armored reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle
BRM – armored reconnaissance vehicle
DAP – Donetsk International Airport
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
KSM – command and staff vehicle
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

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