Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.17.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

The conflict continues to escalate in the ATO zone. In addition to small arms, grenade launchers, and mortars, Russian-terrorist troops are using cannon artillery and MLRS. Their activity also intensified in several areas in the Luhansk region. Fire attacks by militants are observed practically in all areas along the demarcation line in the Donetsk oblast.

Particular escalation of terrorist activity has been observed over the past two days in the vicinity of Donetsk. Intense shellings were carried out in the areas of Krasnohorivka and Mar’inka, where continuous fire from grenade launchers, as well as 120- and  82 mm mortars, is observed. A militant armored group of four ACV’s operates in the area of Staromykhailivka (using heavy machine guns and the ACV’s on-board 30 mm automatic cannons); in the same area, terrorists also deployed a BM-21 “Grad” MLRS. A militant tank opened fire from a camouflaged position in the Trudovski district.

In sections from Mar’inka to Zaitseve, militants are actively using grenade launchers, small arms, and mortars. In the Zaitseve–Zhovanka area, terrorists used cannon artillery (two 122 mm D-30A howitzers) from a position in the greenery east of the Buchma Street (Zaitseve), firing at the ATO forces’ positions in the northern part of Zaitseve and the private residences sector. Mortars of both calibers (120 mm and 82 mm) were used to shell an outpost south of Mayorsk, and several fire strikes were recorded to the east and in the outskirts of the same town.

A group of militants tried to use small arms and RPG’s in a close-range attack against a flank of a Ukrainian troop stronghold southeast of Novotroitske. The group was promptly detected by the ATO forces’ battlefield security and, after an armed confrontation, withdrew to their original positions.

Militants fired 82 mm mortars on two [ATO] strongholds to the northeast and east of Lomakyne, as well as on the ATO forces’ positions east of Hnutove. The attacks were carried out from the direction of Kominternove (the southwestern outskirt of the down) and from positions west of Zaichenko.

In the area of Shyrokyne, terrorists used machine guns and 2B9 “Vasilek” 82 mm mortars. Militants also deployed ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns from the area of Sakhanka.

In the area of Hranitne, militants on positions north of the destroyed bridge across the Kalmius river opened fire from 82 mm mortars at the [ATO forces’] outpost to the northwest of the settlement. Machine gun and AGS-17 fire came from the same direction.

Terrorists used 82 mm mortars in the area of Tr’okhizbenka.

Militants are regrouping their forces in the Horlivka area. An armored group providing support to the terrorist battalion tactical group stationed south of Holmivskyi was reinforced with two 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzers. The enemy also transferred up to five armored vehicles (mainly MT-LB’s) to the same area. New positions for a battery of 120 mm mortars were equipped to the northeast of the Terykonna Station (Horlivka). Enemy units take these positions in order to open fire, then retreat in the direction of the Poselok 6-7 estate on board of several GAZ-66’s. East of Panteleimonivka, we identified positions of four 122 mm D-30A howitzers.

A new unit of militants arrived in the Donetsk area (near the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate). The unit is armed with mounted grenade launchers, including two SPG-9’s and four AGS-17’s.

Ukrainian flag hanging from the town marker in Mar’inka

In addition, militants transferred one additional tank to the area of Kominternove (stationed at a camouflaged position north of the village). A militant armored group of several BMP-2’s changed positions at the northern outskirts of Kominternove.

Militants continue to move ammunition (mortar projectiles) to the vicinity of Bezimenne. During the last 24 hours, three “Ural” trucks with ammunition and a fuel tanker arrived in the area. The ammunition and fuel are being delivered from the direction of Novoazovsk.

The “Foreign Policy and International Committee” of the “DNR’s People’s Council” (headed by Alexander Hryakov) held a meeting, discussing the issue of “protecting the republic’s interests within the framework of the approved Set of Measures to implement the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015.” During the discussion, the “deputies” [“MP’s”] concluded that the above Set of Measures contradicts “the DNR Constitution.”

Namely, “the DNR MP’s” believe that Provision #4 of the Minsk Agreements (which calls for negotiations on the modalities of local elections under Ukrainian law and definition of the “special status” [increased autonomy] of Donbas) eliminates the possibility of the “DNR” being recognized as an “independent state.” Moreover, Provision #8 (which provides for complete restoration of socioeconomic connections [between Ukraine and the occupied territories], in particular, the payment of pensions and other social benefits) is regarded as an attempt to make a “republic” a “fragment of Ukraine” that is completely dependent on Kyiv. Implementation of the constitutional reform in Ukraine and the decentralization of power in the regions with the special status (Provision #11 of the Set of measures) are viewed as steps towards dissolving of the [DNR] “parliament” and a “risk of elimination of the DNR.”

After a heated debate, the “MP’s” decided to create an “advisory group of experts” (as part of the above “committee”) to discuss appropriate “defense strategies.” The resulting suggestions would be put forward to Olexander Zakharchenko and Denis Pushilin [current head and prime minister of the “DNR,” and speaker of the “DNR parliament,” respectively].

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
TZM, TLV – transporter-loading vehicle
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
ZU-23-2 – anti-aircraft artillery system

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