Voices of Ukraine

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.07.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

In the area of Debaltseve Russian-terrorist troops took an operational pause by temporarily ceasing the active offensive. At the same time, the enemy continues dealing artillery strikes (harassing fire) onto the positions of Ukrainian troops. These are predominantly dealt using barrel artillery, sometimes mortars connect in the near zone, and MLRS less often. Actions by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups [SRGs] has been observed; the insurgents are conducting reconnaissance of supply routes to Debaltseve.

The rearrangement of Russian-terrorist forces on the right flank of the Debaltseve springboard has been noted. A transfer of 6 armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) and 2 tanks has been recorded north of Vuhlehirsk, into the Kalynivka area.

Vuhlehirsk.

South of Vuhlehirsk, Ukrainian troop anti-tank gun fire destroyed an enemy BMP-2 and damaged an [amphibious APC] (MT-LB).

Throughout yesterday (02.06.1015), Ukrainian artillery successively shelled enemy tactical reserves behind their advanced positions in the vicinity of Ridkodub. Russian-terrorist troop units have made attempts to spread out and change their positions. At least one insurgent truck with ammunition burned down – detonating explosions were observed for a long time.

Ukrainian military conducted a successful operation in the area Ridkodub, Krasny Lyman Raion, Donetsk region – our checkpoint delivered weapons, ammunition and food, as well as evacuated all the wounded. Photo source.

Accurate artillery fire strikes by Ukrainian artillery have destroyed a battery of Russian-terrorist forces’ self-propelled artillery (only one [artillery] unit remains combat ready) in the Donetsk area.

For the past 24 hours, artillery skirmishes have been observed in the vicinity of the Ukrainian troops’ 29^th Checkpoint. The enemy tried to strike both the checkpoint and the nearby Ukrainian troop positions (at least 3 Russian-terrorist troop artillery units have been recorded launching fire strikes). Ukrainian artillery retaliated by striking at the firing positions of the terrorist artillery group.

In the area of the Bakhmut highway, the enemy is attempting to “shorten the distance” and move directly to the Ukrainian troop positions with a view to engage infantry combat forces. One of the enemy groups tried to quell Ukrainian units with fire; the second [group] went around along the flank. At the same time, the insurgents actively used armored vehicles (4 enemy tanks have been observed; they were used for direct fire support of the ‘infantry’).

Terrorists attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Mariinka. The attack was unsuccessful: the attacking enemy group entered the previously prepared and camouflaged positions of Ukrainian troops in a sector that had already been ‘adjusted’ by them.

In the area of Dokuchajevsk, an appearance by a task force of Russian-terrorist forces has been recorded (the armored tactical group previously located in the area has been pulled back for resupply). The new group includes 13 AFV (APCs, BPM-1 and BMP-2, several MT-LBs). Also, the group includes a unit staffed with Russian citizens from St. Petersburg. The group is supplied through the settlement of Komsomolske.

The enemy control post set up near Starobesheve changed positions and moved closer to Telmanove. Passage of an insurgent supply convoy has been recorded towards Dokuchajevsk (8 trucks and 2 BMP-2 IFVs).

In the area of Mariupol, active enemy reconnaissance (including the use of technical equipment) has been observed. Drone [UAVs] flights (fired at by Ukrainian troops), electronic surveillance devices, and activities by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups have all been observed.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.06.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

In the conflict zone in Donbas, the situation remains particularly tense in the area of the Debaltseve springboard. Terrorists continue shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops using cannon artillery and multiple rocket launching systems (MRLS). Six Russian-terrorist armored raiding groups advanced from the area of Kalynovo (each armored group includes up to 3 tanks and 4-5 armored fighting vehicles (AFV), with infantry cover). We have reports of these groups attempting to infiltrate the rear of Ukrainian troops through tactical gaps in the combat formations, as well as delivering firing strikes on the individual positions of our troops.

Vuhlehirsk, Debaltseve region. “August 14: Vuhlehirsk liberated by the AFU–Armed Forces of Ukraine. Feb. 15: Vuhlehirsk ‘liberated’ by the DNR–Donetsk People’s Republic.”

North of Debaltseve, an insurgent sabotage and reconnaissance group (SRG) attempted an attack on a Ukrainian military supply convoy. In the course of combat, part of the enemy SRG was destroyed by the battlefield security of the convoy.

The command of Russian-terrorist troops is attempting to organize orderly evacuation of equipment that had been hit and damaged around Debaltseve. The equipment is being evacuated to repair bases in Horlivka and Perevalsk. These efforts are made difficult by Ukrainian troops, who are shelling equipment evacuation teams (over the last 24 hours, insurgents only managed to evacuate 4 armored vehicles).

Nikishyne, Debaltseve region.

A “special purpose unit” up to 70 persons strong was sent to the outskirts of Debaltseve (area of Chornukhyne – Novohryhorivka) from the direction of Alchevsk by the “LNR” [Luhansk People’s Republic]. Approximately 80% of this unit’s personnel are citizens of the Russian Federation (all of them former military servicemen with the Spetsnaz units of the Main Intelligence Directorate, with battlefield experience), including Russian military servicemen from occupied Crimea. The mission of the “special unit” is carrying out sabotage in the rear of Ukrainian troops, using individual SRGs.

Another portion of terrorists  (up to 80 people) destroyed near Debaltseve was delivered to Krasnyi Luch, most of them Russian citizens. The bodies of local insurgents were collected by relatives; vehicles with the rest of the bodies set out towards the Russian border.

Vuhlehirsk

A convoy of 20 armored vehicles (including 6 tanks) was spotted near Krasnodon, heading towards Alchevsk.

North of Luhansk, the enemy transferred an anti-tank battery to the front lines (the battery includes four MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns, of which two are towed by an MT-LB towing vehicles, and two by motor vehicles).

Vuhlehirsk

Over the last two days, several mobile terrorist groups (mainly “LNR units”) near Shchastya attempted to vault the Siverskyi Donets river, under mortar fire cover. However, in all instances, the enemy groups were stopped and forced back by Ukrainian artillery.

In the area of Dokuchajevsk and Olenivka, the enemy is attempting to stabilize the situation “on the front lines.” This area received reinforcements (6 AFVs and 2 mortar squads).

Nikishyne

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.05.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the active offensive operations, which the Russian-terrorist troops carried out in Donbas during January and early February 2015, the latter are faced with the problem of overspending ammunition (primarily for cannon artillery and MLRS). According to the calculations of the insurgents themselves, the firing division operating in the direction of the ‘main strike’ uses up to 150 tons of shells per day, on average, in the course of the ‘offensive.’ Supplies from Russia do not cover such ammunition expenditure. This has caused a relative decrease in the intensity of attacks by terrorists in the past days.

At present, the command of the Russian-terrorist troops is trying to solve this problem. Over the past few days, an average of 2 troop trains have been arriving at the unloading station in Ilovaysk every night, carrying ammunition of the most commonly used calibers, which, the next day, is delivered either directly to the firing positions (in most cases), or to ‘distribution warehouses and bases.’

Current requests for ammunition from individual terrorist formations are satisfied via motor transport. For instance, after a powerful artillery group of Russian-terrorist troops (26 self-propelled artillery units (SAU) of MSTA-S 2S19) was transferred to the vicinity of Donetsk, insurgents have been delivering ammunition for this artillery group over the course of the last three days, by motor vehicles (we have reports of an average of 20 laden ‘KAMAZ ‘ [trucks] per day).

Up to a battalion’s worth of Russian infantry terrorist troops (mostly – Russian mercenaries disguised ‘as militia’) was spotted transferring from the southern lines to the area north of Yenakijeve, in the south-eastern outskirts of Horlivka, as reinforcements. The reinforcements are being delivered by trucks; armored vehicles for this unit are expected to arrive, as well.

Debaltseve checkpoint. Screenshot from Vice News video, Dispatch 90

In the area of the Debaltseve springboard, Ukrainian artillery delivered a series of pre-emptive strikes on the Russian-terrorist lines and the places of concentration of their reserves. Multiple successful hits are reported (including, in some cases, detonation of the terrorists’ ammunition – in Krynka, north Yenakijeve, Bryanka, Sofiivka and a number of other areas). In particular, in the area of Bryanka, Ukrainian artillery delivered fire on the positions of the Russian Armed Forces’ reserve units with military equipment, and numerous detonation explosions were reported.

Debaltseve. Screenshot from Vice News video, Dispatch 90

In the vicinity of Makiivka, we note deployment of two enemy battalion tactical groups (BTG). One BTG is manned by Russian servicemen (camouflaged as ‘insurgents’); the second, not as well armed and equipped (deployed on the northern and north-eastern outskirts of the city), consists of local insurgents. Between them, the two BTG have a total of 18 tanks, 42 armored combat vehicles (armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and MT-LB), and about 30 motor vehicles. The ‘Russian’ BTG has a dedicated MLRS battery (6 units) and a 122-mm howitzer D-30 battery (6 guns).

One of the militants killed in the battles for Chornukhyne, a ‘military commander’ from Perevalsk was identified as one G. Shirko, a ‘Colonel’ and a representative of the Russian ‘Cossacks’ – who came under a fire attack of Ukrainian artillery with a group of insurgents from Perevalsk.

In Popasna, insurgent artillery fire partially destroyed a number of homes and businesses, including a local bakery (where a fire broke out). There are casualties among the civilian population.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB