Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.29.2016
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 actively shelling the ATO forces’ positions and civilian objects. Terrorist DRGs are active in a number of areas.

During the past 24 hours, militants shelled the ATO forces’ advanced strongholds and observation points on the stretch between Pisky and Avdiivka (including Opytne and Butovka [Butovska Mine]). In the vicinity of Pisky, the enemy used heavy machine guns and AGS-17’s from several firing points; two SGP-9’s were used from the direction of the Volvo Center Donetsk [23b Sofiiska Street] and the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate. Near Opytne, the “Zenith” position, and positions near the Butovska Mine, militants operated in several firing groups, firing from the direction of the DAP and Spartak, including from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers (AGS-17 and SGP-9). At the same time, several small enemy groups were seen moving along the front line, in order to note down the ATO forces’ firing positions if the latter opened return fire.

In the vicinity of Mar’inka, militants staged a sniper ambush from the direction of the waste bank west of Ratsionalizatoriv Street; they also periodically opened fire from heavy machine guns. Snipers operated under covering fire of ZU-23-2. In the same area, militants deployed a BTR-80, which used its on-board guns to shell the “Mar’inka” checkpoint.

Terrorist units from the area of the Poselok 6-7 estate and waste banks along Michurina Street (Horlivka) opened fire on the ATO forces’ advanced stronghold near Mayorsk, several times during the past 24 hours (using small arms and grenade launchers, mainly AGS-17). The enemy also used 82 mm mortars; south of this stronghold, up to six detonations of 120 mm mortar projectiles were recorded.

“Roaming” 82 mm mortars fired on the Ukrainian troop stronghold northeast of Troitske, firing from the direction of Kalynove. In the same area, militants opened fire from small arms and AGS-17’s. Two BMP-2’s were spotted moving through the vegetation at the front line, but did not open fire.

East of the village of Pryshyb, a militant group attempted to shell the ATO forces’ advanced positions near Trokhizbenka, using small arms and RPG’s.

In the vicinity of Starohnativka, we recorded small arms fire in the direction of the ATO forces’ advanced observation points. Five 82 mm mortar projectiles were fired across the Kalmius River towards the stronghold near Hranitne.

In the Donetsk area, the enemy is reinforcing their units stationed near Zhylmaidanchyk [Zhilploshchadka] district and Staromykhailivka. Small groups of armored vehicles are being transferred here: 3-4 units at a time, mainly BMP-2’s. Up to 12 armored vehicles were transferred during the past 24 hours.

Militants are transferring firepower from the direction of Mineralne towards the Yasynuvata Junction and Donetsk-Pivnichnyi [Donetsk-North] railway station. Over the past 24 hours, we recorded the transfer of two ZU-23-2’s, four 82 mm mortars (on trailers) and two 120 mm mortars.

The enemy continues reinforcing their positions in the Stakhanov–Kirovsk area. In addition to the command point deployed here (as previously reported by the IR group), additional “motorized infantry” units are arriving from the direction of Perevalsk. During the past 24 hours, up to two militant companies arrived on board of trucks; three BMP-1’s also arrived, accompanied by a fuel tanker truck.

South of Oleksandrivka, we are observing a terrorist armored group that is part of the unit stationed on positions opposite Mar’inka. The armored group, which includes four BMP-2’s, one MT-LB, and one BTR-80, is operating south of Donetsk Bypass, at the flank of the ATO forces’ stronghold in this area.

Terrorists are withdrawing some of the 122 mm cannon artillery from the artillery division deployed in the direction of Hurty and Bairak [Horlivka]. During the past 24 hours, we recorded the withdrawal of two 122 mm “Gvozdika” 2S1’s and at least four 122 mm D-30 howitzers (on trailers towed by Ural trucks). The artillery is moving in the direction of Vuhlehirsk. At the same time, the reactive artillery battery (MLRS) from the same division is not being withdrawn.

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.