Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.10.2016
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 active shellings (small arms, grenade launchers, mortars, anti-aircraft systems, on-board guns of armored vehicles), land reconnaissance in a number of sections, mine-laying (by DRGs), and sniper attacks.

During the past 24 hours, terrorists repeatedly used automatic small arms and grenade launchers (including stand-mounted AGS-17 and SPG-9) to fire on the ATO forces’ positions on the stretch between Pisky and Zaitseve. Near Butovka, the enemy deployed SPG-9’s and small arms. In the vicinity of Pisky, militants used two 82 mm automatic mortars (“Vasilek” 2B9 or similar), firing from the private residences area in Vtoraya Ploshchadka, while heavy machine guns and AGS-17’s were used from positions near Vesele. The area around Zaitseve and the Zhovanka river was shelled from two directions, including Holmivskyi (AGS-17’s and small arms). Detonation of 82 mm mortar rounds was also recorded near the ATO stronghold south of Mayorsk.

Militants actively shelled the areas of Opytne and Avdiivka from the direction of the DAP, Spartak, and the Yasynuvata junction, using heavy machine guns and SPG-9’s.

In the vicinity of Krasnohorivka and Mar’inka, the enemy deployed armored vehicles and mortars (82 mm and 120 mm). Near the [destroyed] children’s foster home (Mar’inka), terrorists used AGS-17’s and heavy machine guns, firing from a BTR-80. A militant armored group of three BMP-2’s moved from the Abakumov neighborhood towards Staromykhailivka. After taking positions north of the settlement, one of the BMP’s opened fire from its on-board 30 mm automatic gun.

The enemy opened fire from 82 mm mortars from the direction of Sanzharivka, shelling the area around Rozsadky and Skeleve. Mortars were also used to shell Ukrainian troop observation points and strongholds east of Troitske.

Near Shyrokyne, militants used small arms, mortars, grenade launchers, and a mobile ZU-23-2. Northeast of Talakivka, a mortar shelling by the enemy was recorded (82 mm mortars).

Enemy sniper groups are operating in the area of Mar’inka and from Shyroka Balka (the latter ones are targeting the ATO forces’ positions northeast of Novoselivka).

A unit of Russian Armed Forces servicemen arrived in Krasnyi Luch. The personnel is arriving in groups of 10-15 men, on board of vehicles. As of the morning of 02.10.2016, a total of one company’s worth has arrived (up to 100 personnel). Armored vehicles are being transferred separately: some 15 ACVs (BTR-70, BMP-2, MT-LB).

“DNR” armed formations are actively conducting military training. Continuous tactical field exercises on the grounds of the “training centers” are being held, aimed at improving unit coordination and practicing cooperation between motorized rifle units and mechanized forces in combat conditions. Between 02.09. and 02.11.2016, the “DNR” leadership are conducting large-scale command-staff exercises (mainly involving formations and units deployed in Donetsk and Horlivka). “DNR” “motorized rifle brigades” Numbers 1, 3, 5, and 100 are taking part in the training.

The “Somali” storm unit (headed by Mikhail “Givi” Tolstykh) also held a series of battalion tactical exercises aimed at practicing combat operations in an urban setting with armored vehicle support. The training was held on the grounds of abandoned and destroyed facilities in industrial areas of Donetsk.

The heads of the “DNR Ministry of Defense” developed an action plan (which is, as of now, already approved by Oleksander Zakharchenko [Head of the “DNR”] and the Russian “supervisors”) for provocations, to be carried out by militants along the contact line, specifically, on the Mar’inka–Krasnohorivka, and Kominternove–Pyshchevyk stretches. The provocations, aimed at forcing the Ukrainian Armed Forces units to open fire, are planned for the day before the February negotiations of the “Normandy Four” (planned to be held in Munich at the end of this week).

At a meeting with the division heads of the “DNR Ministry of Revenues and Duties,” the “minister” Oleksander “Tashkent” Timofeyev announced that the “ministry” employees are not allowed to discuss official matters via mobile communication serviced by Ukrainian operators. The only allowed mobile operator is “Feniks” (the “DNR republican communication operator”). Tymofeyev threatened immediate arrest and charges of “treason” to any “tax official” caught using the [SIM] cards of Ukrainian operators.

Employees of the Telmanove district administration (in the “DNR” controlled part of the district) received an order to start active preparation for the “local elections.” Staffing of election commissions and candidate selection are underway. After the “people’s council of the DNR” passes the so-called “law on elections,” the existing groundwork will be altered to fit its norms. At the same time, Russian “supervisors” ordered the “DNR” chieftains to activate efforts aimed at creating the “ideological base of the republic.” To this end, a so-called “Ideological Forum” will be held in Debaltseve in the second half of February. The forum will be attended by the heads of the “ministries of the DNR” and political consultants from Russia. The plan is to develop the main ideological principles of the “republic” and the directions for popularizing said ideology.

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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