Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.18.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue shelling Ukrainian troop positions and civilian objects, using small arms, handheld and mounted grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft systems. During the past 24 hours, militants also deployed armored combat vehicles (on-board weaponry of BMP-1, BMP-2, and BTR-80).

Specifically, on the stretch between Pisky and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka, terrorist shelled the ATO forces’ positions almost continuously during the past 24 hours. In the vicinity of Pisky, a militant infantry group (up to 20 personnel) advanced from the direction of the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate towards the neutral zone, took position, and, after shelling from 82 mm mortars, opened small arms and RPG fire on the Ukrainian troops’ stronghold near the unfinished highway overpass. Militants also fired from the direction of Zhobunky and the Volvo Center Donetsk [23b Sofiiska Street], from the direction of the DAP and the destroyed radar station, and from the direction of the western and northern parts of Spartak (using heavy machine guns, SGP-9’s, and AGS-17’s).

From their positions near the Yasynuvata junction, militants fired rounds from three 2B9 “Vasilek” 82 mm mortars, in the direction of the Vynohradnyki cottage estate  and Lenina Street (Avdiivka). The ATO forces’ positions in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, Hranitne, Rozsadky, Mar’inka, and Troitske were shelled from small arms and stand-mounted grenade launchers. Four shots from a 120 mm mortar were also recorded near Krasnohorivka, coming from the direction of Staromykhailivka. In the vicinity of Hranitne, terrorists fired from [the on-board weapons of] two BTR-80’s, under cover of one AGS-17. From the direction of Mar’inka, militants used the on-board weaponry of a BMP-1 (approximately 10 shots), while a terrorist sniper group (3 snipers) operated from the same direction.

East of Novhorodske, militants fired from AGS-17’s and SPG-9’s, and used ZU-23-2 against the ATO forces’ two advanced strongholds (this was the terrorist tactical group previously recorded by the IR group near the Zalizna Balka). Militants fired on Ukrainian troop positions northeast of Novoselivka and southeast of Yurivka (east of the Verkhnotoretske – Dzerzhynsk motorway), using 82 mm and two BMP-2’s from positions west of the Horlivske reservoir (near Shyroka Balka).

In the vicinity of Zaitseve, Vodyane, and Talakivka, militants used small arms and AGS-17’s.

Near Donetsk, Russian-terrorist troops continue building up their forces and equipment on several sections of the front line, in the northwestern direction of operations. During the past 48 hours, in addition to the several armored groups already deployed in the Petrovskiy district of Donetsk, militants transferred to the same area six ACVs (mainly BMP-2) and a mortar battery (six 2B9 “Vasilek” 82 mm mortars); while new SPG-8 and ZU-23-2 details are observed at equipped positions in the Trudovski and Zhylmaidanchyk [Zhilploshchadka] districts.

Russian-terrorist troop command is transferring reinforcements to the Pervomaiske – Kalynove – Polove area. In this area, six tanks and 16 ACVs are spotted behind terrorists’ advanced positions (this equipment was transferred here without concealment, almost demonstratively).

During the past several days, militants between Lutuhyne and Bile [Beeleh] have been transferring small batches of armored equipment to the northern direction of operations: up to 20 ACVs (BMP-1, BMR-1K, MT-LB) were transferred here in the last 3 days, in stages, 2-3 units at a time.

Militant formations in the Yenakijeve direction of operations are receiving reinforcements. New positions are being equipped northwest of Panteleimonivka, near Stavky. Up to 10 ACVs, as well as several SPG-9 and AGS-17 details, had been transferred from the direction of Mykhailivka to reinforce the previously deployed unit.

Photo source: @HromadskeRadio

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.