Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.21.2016
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 in Donbas decreased somewhat, although the fighting continues overall. Militants fired on the ATO forces’ positions using small arms as well as heavy machine guns, mortars (82 mm), grenade launchers, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons.

Over the past day, terrorists actively fired on Ukrainian troop positions in the area of Opytne, Pisky, and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka. The attack involved several enemy firing groups using 82-mm mortars, AGS-17’s, and heavy machine guns. The main positions from which the enemy fired were located in the vicinity of the DAP, Spartak, Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate, and the high grounds around the Yasynuvata junction. Terrorists also used an 82 mm mortar battery to fire towards both Pisky and Opytne from the intersection of Marshala Zhukova Avenue and Stratonavtiv Street in a residential district of Donetsk.

Pisky. Screenshot from film 5 Cyborgs.

Near Shyroka Balka, a militant infantry group attempted, under heavy covering fire from AGS-17’s and heavy machine guns, to take firing positions close to the ATO forces’ advanced observation posts and strongholds (northeast of Novoselivka), and to open fire [on the ATO positions] from small arms and RPG’s. A skirmish broke out, and after return fire was opened, terrorists retreated behind their lines.

A sniper group operating from militant positions in the neutral zone targeted advanced ATO forces’ positions close to Oleksandrivka (under covering fire from 82 mm 2B9 “Vasilek” mortars and heavy machine guns).

Two ATO forces’ strongholds to the east of Rozsadky came under fire from 82 mm mortars. Enemy sniper activity was noted in this and the neighbouring section (in the direction of ATO forces’ positions near Skeleve), with two sniper groups at work.

In the coastal areas, the militants continue armed provocations designed to attract return fire from Ukrainian troops. The enemy fired in the direction of the ATO forces’ checkpoint on motorway T0519 using small arms and AGS-17’s. Machine guns and RPG-7’s were fired at the Shyrokyne area from the high grounds near Sakhanka. Unsighted automatic small arms fire at Ukrainian troops’ defense lines was observed from militant positions north of Kominternove. Several terrorist infantry groups also opened fire in the direction of Vodyane from camouflaged positions southwest of Kominternove, using 82 mm mortars.

The transfer of enemy troops towards the Horlivka area continues. Militants are moving armored vehicles from Vuhlehirsk to the rear of their battalion tactical group deployed east of Horlivka. Five MT-LB’s were brought in during the past 24 hours. Militants are concentrating artillery and armored vehicles between the knitwear factory and the Horlivske Reservoir: we observed the transfer of several 100 mm MT-12 “Rapira” trailer-mounted anti-tank guns, up to five BTR-70’s, and two MT-LB’s.

Terrorists in the vicinity of Horlivka are setting up observation posts and firing positions on the waste banks and dumps of several mines (near Zalizna Balka, Lenina Mine, Poselok 6-7 estate, Haharina Mine). Firing positions are equipped with mortars and grenade launchers (mainly SGP-9); in one instance, a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon was pulled up onto a waste bank. These positions allow militants to carry out observation and direct aimed fire at targets further behind the ATO forces’ lines. In particular, these vantage points give clear visuals on the ATO forces’ positions south of Artemove, Shumy, and Mayorsk.

The militants are transferring forces through Prymorske (south of Telmanove), to either reinforce or rotate their units deployed in the Oktyabr–Krasnoarmiiske–Zaichenko triangle (the situation requires further monitoring). Up to ten tented trucks with personnel, one BTR-80, and two BMP-2’s were transferred here during the past 24 hours.

Russian-terrorist forces, numbering at least two thousand personnel with up to 150 armored vehicles, are concentrating manpower and resources along the Pervomaisk–Stakhanov–Bryanka stretch. Additional militant units are continuing to transfer to the area. Measures to conceal movements of weaponry are being observed. Civilians are barred from entering Pervomaisk (except for local registered residents). Terrorists have intensified road patrols. In Stakhanov, recruitment of local residents to newly-established troop units has been stepped up (the Stakhanov employment center is used as a recruitment point). The city’s businesses have been sent letters demanding lists of persons eligible for military service.

Among “DNR” militants, rumors are circulating about a “sharp increase in the number of ISIS fighters” in the Mariupol area who are allegedly arriving from Turkey to participate in the armed conflict in Donbas on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the rumors, Ukrainian troops supported by ISIS fighters are preparing a large-scale offensive to capture Novoazovsk.

Pisky. Screenshot from film 5 Cyborgs.

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

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