Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
06.22.2016
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 using small arms and grenade launchers, as well as 120 mm mortars, armored vehicles (BMP and BTR), and occasionally, 122 mm artillery. Enemy DRG’s and sniper groups have stepped up their activity, while militants’ small infantry groups attempt to fire at the ATO forces’ positions at close range from the neutral zone.

In particular, terrorist shellings continue in the area of Avdiivka-Opytne-Pisky. The enemy’s main positions are in the area of Spartak (using 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, as well as heavy machine guns and stand-mounted grenade launchers). When necessary, the militant command also makes use of some of the forces and equipment from its Yasynuvata tactical group.

Militant activity is also noted in the area of Leninske-Mayorsk-Zaitsevo. In addition to small arms, the enemy is using artillery systems from positions north of the Terrykonna railway station and south of the Poselok 6-7 neighborhood.

June 2016: Russian artillery in Donetsk.

Shellings are permanent practically along the entire stretch from Krasnohorivka to areas south of Mar’inka. There is a notable increase in the enemy’s use of anti-aircraft ZU-23-2 systems.

Permanent shelling with use of mortars is also taking place in the area of Dokuchajevsk and further south, all the way to Hranitne.

The situation has escalated dramatically in the coastal regions, namely in the areas of Shyrokyne, Vodyane, and Talakivka, where militants are conducting short but powerful fire raids, deploying mobile strike groups. In addition, the density of militant combat lines has notably increased: south of the Oktyabr-Bezimenne line, we recorded appearances of armored vehicles, including tanks, of which at least 12, in groups of 2-3, are used to reinforce terrorist units in this area; as well as four BBM’s in the area of Bezimenne itself; three tanks and 6 BMP-2’s in the area of Kominternove; plus a concentration of transport and armored (12-13 trucks and 4 MT-LB’s) beyond the settlement of Oktyabr.

June 19, 2016: Russian tank near Yubileyne, Luhansk Oblast

In the area of the Svitlodarsk arc, as well as near the salient around the settlements of Schastia and Stanytsia Luhanska, small militant infantry groups are very active (shoot-outs with the ATO battlefield security take place practically every night). In many instances, these enemy groups operate with the support of mortars and armored vehicles (BMP and BTR).

Noteworthy facts:

• the reinforcement of a coastal militant group with combat equipment;

• terrorists’ attempts to retain combat initiative in areas west and northwest of Donetsk;

• the activity of the militant “Horlivka Garrison,” foremost in the western and northwestern flanks, with an escalation trend on the right flank of the Svitlodarsk arc.

Persistent rumors are circulating within the “DNR” militant groups about the deployment of at least two permanent “Russian military bases” in the occupied territories of the Donetsk Oblast: allegedly, the “DNR” leadership has already “reached an agreement” with the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation and the Russian Armed Forces General Staff (most probably, these rumors are spread with the purpose of “psychological support” for militants).

The “LNR,” in turn, is spreading rumors about the alleged transfer of Ukrainian assault aircraft to Severodonetsk (the “Severodonetsk International Airport” checkpoint). Militants are scaring the locals with stories that the ATO forces are preparing to bomb civilian targets.

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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