Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.01.2016
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 the ATO forces’ positions and civilian objects, using small arms, grenade launchers, mortars (82 mm and 120 mm), anti-aircraft guns, and armored vehicles. Militant activity has sharply increased at the front line, in terms of DRGs and terrorist infantry groups.

During the past 24 hours, militants actively shelled Ukrainian troop positions in the Donetsk direction of operations. Near Opytne, the enemy fired from the direction of the DAP and waste banks in the western outskirts of Spartak, using three heavy machine guns, AGS-17’s and SGP-9’s. Fire from two 82 mm “Vasilek” 2B9 automatic mortars was aimed at the ATO forces’ two strongholds in front of the Donetsk Bypass near Opytne, as well as at the “Zenith” position and Butovka [Butovska Mine].

The ATO forces’ positions in the vicinity of Pisky and the stronghold southeast of the town came under fire from two directions: from the private residences area at the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate, and from an area north of Zhobunky, to where a militant group has advanced. Terrorists deployed heavy machine guns and grenade launchers (AGS-17, SPG-9, RPG-7, RPG-22, GP-22). A militant infantry group attempted to take advantage of the off-road terrain and approach the ATO forces’ observation point and stronghold south of Pisky. After the ATO forces’ battlefield security opened fire from automatic weapons and machine guns, the enemy fell back.

Near Mar’inka, the enemy fired from the high ground dubbed “Crocodile,” using SPG-9’s (six shots), small arms, and AGS-17’s. Sniper fire was also recorded. A militant armored group operating near Oleksandrivka (previously mentioned by the IR group) has been transferred to an area south of Mar’inka.

In the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, militants opened fire from heavy machine guns from the direction of the western outskirts of Staromykhailivka; the use of AGS-17’s and ZU-23-2’s was also noted (at least two of the latter were spotted). Following that, three or four 82 mm automatic grenade launchers (“Vasilek” 2B9 or similar) fired on the front line of the Ukrainian troops from positions north of the lakes in the Abakumivka district. The enemy also opened fire on the northern outskirts of Krasnohorivka (near Krupskoy Street), using 120 mm mortars (11-12 projectiles).

Militants fired on the ATO forces’ positions near Rozsadky and Skeleve from the 307.9 m high ground and from Nyzhnje Lozove. Terrorists actively used SPG-9’s and 120 mm mortars. In the same area, terrorists opened fire from heavy machine guns and automatic small arms, in multiple instances.

Terrorists fired on the eastern outskirts of old Avdiivka from the 251.2 high ground (near the Yasynuvata junction), using mainly AGS-17’s and 82 mm mortars. It should be noted that no Ukrainian troops are concentrated in this area.

Near Novhorodske and east of Novoselivka, terrorists actively shelled the ATO forces’ positions from small arms. We also recorded the use of at least two AGS-17’s, and shots from a SPG-9. A stationary ATO observation point and two advanced strongholds came under fire. In the same area, militants opened fire from BMP-2’s from the flank of one of the ATO forces’ strongholds. A pair of enemy BMP-2’s (under covering fire from AGS-17’s and a BTR-80, which remained at stationary positions) advanced into the greenery northwest of the Batmanovka river. From there, one of the BMP-2’s opened fire on the stronghold from its on-board 30 mm automatic gun. The other did not open fire, but was used for observation, fire direction, and to provide cover for the first BMP.

In the vicinity of the Zhovanka river and the village of Zaitseve, militants opened heavy fire from automatic small arms, several times. The use of 82 mm mortars was also recorded (a battery of 4 militant mortars fired from the southern outskirts of Zaitseve).

In the coastal regions, terrorists near Shyrokyne used a mobile firing group with a platform-mounted ZU-23-2 and a pair of 82 mm mortars to shell the ATO forces’ advanced positions.

The enemy opened small arms and grenade launcher fire in the vicinity of Stanytsia Luhanska, on the ATO forces’ right-flank positions. Mortar shellings were recorded near Troitske, from the direction of Kalynove (82 mm and 120 mm mortars). Near Sokilnyky, militants opened fire twice, from heavy machine guns (using the usual “two-point” scheme) and AGS-17’s.

In Donetsk, infantry and firepower are being transferred to the Petrovskyi district from other parts of the city. In total, some 20 KAMAZ and Ural trucks carrying personnel were moved over the past weekend (from different directions, mainly moving via Petrovskoho Street and Vuhlehirska Street). A concentration of enemy personnel and equipment is observed near Trudovski and Zhylmaidanchyk [Zhilploshchadka] districts. Notably, a mortar battery has also been transferred to this area (six vehicles with 120 mm mortars on trailers).

Militants continue reinforcing the Stakhanov group of the “LNR” forces. Additional firepower, combat equipment and personnel keep arriving for the two units deployed in the Alchevsk – Perevalsk area (resupplied to the strength of one reinforced battalion) and along the Polyove – Pervomaisk line. During the past 24 hours, up to 10 pieces of armored equipment and 100 personnel were transferred here.

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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