Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
03.16.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue actively shelling the ATO forces’ positions, using, among other weaponry, 120 mm mortars and ACVs (including heavy armor, i.e. tanks). The most tense situation continues on the stretch between Pisky and Avdiivka, around the flank positions at the Svitlodarsk salient (Zaitseve and Troitske), and south of Donetsk.

Near Avdiivka (in the “industrial zone”), a tactical infantry group from the militant “Vostok Battalion” (up to a company of personnel reinforced with three BMP-2’s) was operating in the direction of the “industrial zone.” Small infantry groups from this terrorist tactical group are continuously engaging Ukrainian troop units in close combat near the 251.2 m high ground; this has been going on for three days already. During the past 24 hours, two small terrorist groups were operating from the forested area near the Yasynuvata junction, near the wholesale market, with fire support from the on-board weapons of a BMP-2. Following that, the command of the militant tactical group announced that “the industrial zone has been secured” (which is not true – in reality, clashes continue in this area; the distance between the parties’ initial positions is 600-700 m, shrinking to 300-400 m during clashes).

Ukrainian soldier in Pisky. Photo: Wojciech Koźmic

Several media camera crews, from Russian TV channels LifeNews and Rossiya, as well as from local, terrorist-controlled media, have been spotted in Yasynuvata and at militant positions beyond the railway (practically at the front line). The “DNR” chief Alexander Zakharchenko was present at the positions during the filming, allegedly personally directing combat against Ukrainian troops (he arrived and left the positions together with the camera crews).

In the vicinity of Zaitseve, 120 mm mortars were again identified at militant positions (four mortars operated by two mobile fire groups). Mortar fire came from positions located near Holmivskyi and in vegetation northeast of the Mayorsk automobile market.

Near Dokuchajevsk, a militant tank platoon (three tanks) was transferred to positions in the vicinity of Tsentralnyy Karyer [Central Quarry] (from the direction of the old colony). The ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds south of the quarry and on the southeastern outskirts of the settlement were fired on from the on-board weaponry of tanks. Namely, one tank fired while the other two provided cover. During the firing, the tank unit changed position several times; a total of 20-22 projectiles were fired. The tank positions had been equipped and camouflaged ahead of time.

Militants continue regrouping their forces in the coastal regions and south of Donetsk. A militant infantry group aboard two Ural trucks and one Kamaz (also including one MT-LB and one BTR-80) was transferred from Olenivka towards Luhanske. South of Kominternove, militants moved two tanks to the Sakhanka – Dzerzhynske line.

Terrorists are actively reinforcing their positions between Styla and Telmanove, tightening their combat lines in places. During nighttime, armored vehicles (some six units, mostly BMP-2) were seen transferring north of Staromarivka.

School in Pisky. Photo: Konstantin Bernatovich

In Donetsk, in areas directly adjacent to the demarcation line (the Petrovskyi and Kyivskyi districts of the city), there has been a sharp increase in the number of organized marauding groups made up of militants. The main mission of these groups is to loot premises abandoned by local residents, and to collect scrap metal. These groups occasionally clash with local residents pursuing the same “trade.”

The “DNR” leadership issued an order to step up recruiting activities among the employees of inactive (mothballed) companies in occupied areas, in order to enlist them for “military service” in units of the “DNR 1st Army Corps” (as previously reported by the IR group, “DNR” units are understaffed, by 30-35% on average, in some units up to 60%).

The “DNR Ministry of State Security” is checking whether the medical personnel of the Donetsk Hospital N15 (Donetsk regional hospital for medical rehabilitation, 1 Rodnykova street, Donetsk) are loyal to the “DNR.” According to the data of the “ministry,” the staff includes many Ukraine sympathizers. Wounded “DNR” militants are undergoing rehabilitation in this medical facility.

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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