Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
03.30.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Without scaling down their activity, Russian-terrorist troops have slightly changed their tactics, focusing their shelling on individual sectors. They still resort to the “traditional” range of weaponry: grenade launchers, mortars, ZU-23-2’s, heavy machine guns, and occasionally armored vehicles (including tanks), as well as 122 mm and 152 mm artillery.

In the vicinity of Avdiivka, we note increased activity by enemy DRGs, which covertly approach Ukrainian troop positions and open fire from close range, using small arms and under-barrel grenade launchers. A new terrorist 152 mm self-propelled artillery unit (four “Akatsiyia” SAU 2S3’s) is located on a firing position south of Yakovlivka. From time to time, the unit advances to the firing line, then turns around and retreats without opening fire: as practice for firing on the Avdiivka “industrial zone.”

Avdiivka graffiti: “God protect Avdiivka”

Increased militant activity has been observed in the Zhovanka–Zaitseve area. During the past 24 hours, terrorists in this area fired about 175 mortar rounds (82 mm and 120 mm) at Zaitseve and on positions west and north of it. The enemy also used tanks in this area, in two instances (from the forested area northeast of the Mayorsk automobile market, a pair of militant tanks operated in “carousel” fashion: alternately firing a series of three to five high explosive rounds). The ATO forces’ positions near Zaitseve also came under fire from militant 152 mm artillery.

Militant sniper groups became more active near Shchastya, firing at the ATO forces’ observation point and two strongholds in the area.

Near Dokuchajevsk (Tsentralnyy Karyer), terrorists further reinforced the troops concentrated here with bringing in a mortar unit (three 120 mm mortars) and two BMP-2’s. Militants are firing mortars from the back slopes of Tsentralnyy Karyer [Central Quarry], as well as from the residential districts of Dokuchajevsk.

On the stretch between Yasynuvata and Spartak, militants are building up their tactical groups. Apart from the “Pyatnashka” battalion, which consists mainly of units of Abkhazian mercenaries (currently the main enemy strike force in the “industrial zone” area), armed combat vehicles and militant personnel are accumulating near the engineering works in Yasynuvata (in total, up to 20 various armored combat vehicles, mainly BMP-1’s and -2’s, plus a reinforced company of up to 140-150 personnel). Given that similar-sized militant tactical groups are deployed directly in the area of Yasynuvata junction, Mineralne, and north of Yakovlivka, [it is obvious that] the high command of Russian-terrorist forces is not only preparing to continue active operations in this area, but is also afraid that Ukrainian troops might break through to the northern and western outskirts of Yasynuvata.

In Makiivka, the “Somali” battalion base, currently in the process of disbandment, is being transported by truck to the southern direction of operations. Simultaneously, the “DNR Ministry of State Security” has begun a major operation in Makiivka to find and neutralize (as quoted in the instruction sheets) “undercover subversive groups” of the Ukrainian troops (to date, up to ten local residents have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in these mythical DRGs). In addition, by order of the high command of the “1st DNR Army Corps (AC),” any transfer of personnel, equipment or weapons towards Horlivka and Yasynuvata through the area of Makiivka must circumvent the settlement.

A shootout was reported in the “DNR 5th separate motorized rifle brigade,” between a terrorist “company commander” and his subordinates. In the course of a conflict, the “commander” used a firearm, and his subordinates returned fire. As a result, two injured personnel were hospitalized, and two more militants deserted.

In the “DNR,” a large-scale campaign is being mounted to combat the “contraband of medical products” from Ukraine-controlled territory. Militant units that are currently inspecting and checking citizens and vehicles at the entry to occupied areas have received instructions to tighten their inspections, specifically looking for any medicines. A belief prevails in the “DNR law enforcement” circles that this campaign is connected to the “DNR” leadership’s current efforts to set up a system of organized smuggling of medicines from the Russian Federation.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB 

Glossary:

AC – Army Corps
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
ELINT – Electronic Intelligence
GUR – Defense Intelligence
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MGB – Ministry of State Security
MOD – Ministry of Defense
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
OMSBR – Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade
SBU – Ukrainian Secret Service
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
TZM, TLV – transporter-loading vehicle
UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (drones or other)
ZU-23-2 – anti-aircraft artillery system

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