Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
06.17.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, most of the shellings and armed provocations by Russian-terrorist troops were recorded in the coastal direction of operations and south of Donetsk. Militant activity was also observed to the west and northwest of Donetsk, as well as in the area of the Svitlodarsk salient.

In particular, in the area of Avdiivka and adjacent areas (from Opytne to Troitske), we observed the traditionally continuous shelling of the ATO forces’ advanced strongholds and observation posts, with the use of small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Sporadic 122 mm artillery strikes came near Butivka and the Tsarska Ohota [restaurant]; militant shelling from 82 mm mortars was also observed around the “industrial zone.”

In the Mar’inka area, there was intense shelling from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. Along the Zaitseve–Zhovanka stretch, terrorists used heavy machine guns and SPG-9M’s from the direction of Holmivskyi and Rybalka Street. Near Krasnohorivka, militants used a BBM [armored fighting vehicle] and anti-aircraft cannons.

Near Staromykhailivka and further south (in the Zhilploschadka estate), a terrorist tank unit (4 tanks) is in operation. Aimed fire from tank guns was recorded against a stronghold near Krasnohorivka; as were at least two tanks that traveled towards Staromykhailivka from the south.

Russian-terrorist troop formations have not abandoned their attempts to “push” the ATO forces’ units out away from Dokuchajevsk. Operating in this area is a militant artillery group previously transferred here (a division consisting of three batteries); other armaments are also used for shelling. During the past 24 hours, a terrorist fire group with a ZU-23-2 maneuvered between the village of Yasne and the northern neighborhood of Dokuchajevsk, constantly changing positions to shell the ATO forces’ strongholds near Berezove and south-east of that settlement (three times). The group’s operation took place under covering fire from grenade launchers (SPG-9M’s and AGS-17’s). Additionally, militants fired 120 mm mortars from the “black waste mound” (Tsentralnyy Karyer mounds), aiming at Ukrainian troop positions southwest of Dokuchajevsk and then shifting their fire onto the Mariupol–Donetsk highway and beyond.

On the Svitlodarsk salient, a pair of militant BMP-2’s [infantry fighting vehicles], operating from the direction of Nyzhnje Lozove, shelled the ATO forces’ advanced positions southeast of Luhanske, operating under covering fire from 82 mm mortars. After fire was returned by the ATO forces, the BMP’s returned to their starting lines. Later, the ATO forces’ strongholds south of Svitlodarsk came under fire from 120 mm mortars. East of Novozvanivka, a terrorist fire group slipped into the “greenery” and opened sudden fire from small arms and RPG’s; after its fire was returned, the group retreated behind militant lines under the cover of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars.

Terrorist heavy armor was spotted in the Panteleimonivka and Yasynivka areas, a total of 14 vehicles, camouflaged and dug in, in a “scattered” formation. Additionally, six enemy tank positions were noted in the latter location.

North of Telmanove, a militant D30\D30A howitzer battery (five guns) was spotted on the march; the convoy also included  two BTR’s and one MT-LB.

“DNR” and “LNR” media have received instructions from Moscow to start trumpeting the theme of “Russian peacekeepers,” who are supposed to intercede “between the hostile parties” to stop the shelling. As is known, a similar scenario was used in Transnistria and Georgia, after which the Russian “peacekeepers” became an active party to the conflict.

Between 06.20 and 06.24.2016 “DNR” militants plan to deploy two mobile military hospitals with suitable equipment and staff near Bezimenne, Novoazovskiy district. Rumors are circulating through militant units stationed in the area that an offensive is planned by their own side along the Shyrokyne–Hnutove–Pavlopil line, in late June.

After returning to the “DNR” as a result of prisoner exchanges, liberated militants are placed under close control of “DNR MGB” agencies, with all their contacts photographed and filmed (by “MGB’s” external surveillance groups). The liberated militants are prohibited from contacting other terrorists who have also returned from captivity, which causes indignation among them.

The “DNR” military leadership is considering implementing “supplementary mobilization measures” in occupied districts of Donetsk oblast. The measures will serve primarily to replenish terrorist formations deployed in the Avdiivka area.

According to the “DNR MGB” quota, employees of “DNR police agencies” (officer corps) must book at least two criminal proceedings each month. “Police” workers who fail to meet this target are subject to an official reprimand, and informed that should they continue failing to meet the “target,” they will be transferred to the “front line” for one month.

Two “motorized rifle brigades” of the “2nd LNR AC” are undergoing military exercises with a strong focus on offensive actions, including the breaching of water obstacles.

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
GRU – Russian Defense Intelligence, the main military foreign-intelligence service of the Russian Federation
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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