By George Tuka, coordinator of “Narodnyi Tyl” volunteer movement
01.21.2014 Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
A few words about the situation at the Donetsk airport.
I remained silent, just as I promised. I will be very restrained in my assessments, and, if someone thinks that I’m being too harsh, then you can imagine HOW overpowered I am with emotions [right now].
So. The leadership of the General Staff, headed by General Muzhenko, developed a military operation that came down to this: our guys were supposed to initiate a flank attack and push the enemy back 3-4 kilometers [1.9–2.5 miles]. Such an attack suggested the transition of the [Donetsk] Airport from a demarcation point into an object in the rear. I want to think that [they] also anticipated the destruction of the runway, since no other strategic objects besides [the airstrip] remained there. If six months were not enough to destroy the runway, then …
Our guys completed the first part of their task successfully: the enemy was repulsed and the information that the combat moved to Donetsk corresponds to reality. However … It’s not enough to seize a territory or an object. The main thing – is to hold on to it. And our guys could not fulfill this task. How come?
I express my point of view, exclusively my own. Without details. For example, out of the ten APCs, only 2 were able to get to point “x.” The rest [of them] stalled because of a breakdown. Two out of ten tanks. Thick fog. Visibility – 20 meters [0.01 miles]. The enemy easily blocked our communications (both mobile and radio). Surveillance equipment and adjustments are nonexistent during poor visibility.
And so, our guys found themselves in such circumstances. They were left with no choice but to retreat. And, it’s off their backs that the terrorists entered the building.
A situation formed where the enemy was on the third and the first floors, while our [guys] were on the second. The guys drew artillery fire on themselves, hoping to hide behind the beams. And so it happened. But, during this time, the enemy managed to blow up the pillars and the ceiling collapsed on our guys. Both the living and the wounded ended up under the rubble. Alas, some were dead …
Part of the guys managed to leave the airport, some were taken prisoner. There is hope that there are still survivors under the rubble.
Now, two subjective observations:
First. The guys from the 90th Battalion of the 81st Brigade are very disappointed that no one says a word about the contribution of their units to the defense of the airport. Believe me, this is not fair! The guys volunteered to storm the church [Ed. Note: where Russian terrorists had an armory], they [also] held the object, and attempted to rescue the wounded. They deserve to be KNOWN!
Second. General Muzhenko is not good enough for his post! I spoke about this numerous times. I was accused of carping. Hmm … I will state [once] again: neither Muzhenko [Chief of General Staff], nor Pushnyakov [Ukraine’s Ground Force Commander] meet the demands of their positions! It’s one thing – to conduct ostentatious parades and exercises. It’s a different thing – to show off and issue worthless equipment. And, it’s a completely different thing – to plan combat operations, managing people’s lives. If the parade and [military] exercises – stupid window dressing, and the transfer of piles of scrap metal in Yavoriv is a crime, then the planning of an operation using misrepresented data about the technical condition of the troops – is a stupid crime.
Heavy fighting continues.
To the question, “which enemy is more dangerous now, external or internal?”
I would possibly answer – internal.
Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.21.2015 Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Operational data from Information Resistance:
During the past 24 hours, reinforcements of Russian-terrorist troups arrived through Amvrosiivka and Starobesheve to Donetsk to make up for the losses incurred by the enemy in the course of armed fights at the Donetsk airport(DAP), the village of Pisky, the vicinity of Spartak and the Putilovskyi Overpass. In particular, two tank units (overall, 12 tanks and mobile repairshop) and several “infantry” units were transferred in.
A Ukrainian serviceman fires a weapon during fighting with pro-Russian separatists in Pesky village, near Donetsk January 21, 2015. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko
Fierce fighting continued in the vicinity of Checkpoint #31. The enemy brought in a considerable amount of artillery –at least two artillery groups were observed (overall: up to 25 units of cannon artillery, mostly 122 mm D-30 howitzers, and up to 10 units of MLRS). These artillery groups carry out fire strikes on Ukrainian units not only at advanced positions, but also inside their combat formations. In addition, enemy artillery attempts to prevent the arrival of Ukrainian troop reinforcements and logistics units into the area. Enemy attempts to conduct artillery reconnaissance have also been observed (primarily to determine data for artillery fire strikes on Ukrainian troop command posts, logistics and communications units).
Near Mariupol, the enemy inflicted a series of massive fire strikes onto the forward positions of Ukrainian troops (the district of Talakivka, Pavlopil, Sartana). These attacks were made in order to cover the regrouping of Russian-terrorist units towards the Mariupol direction. Advanced enemy groups have significantly reinforced with both manpower and combat equipment. The action of at least 10 insurgent tanks were observed directly at the forefront in this area. The movement of enemy armored vehicles into the first lines [of the front] continues.
Local residents remove debris at a house damaged by recent shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, January 21, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko
In the vicinity of Hranitne – Telmanove, as well as Dokuchajevsk – Olenivka, the enemy continues to concentrate new formations (staffed with both local insurgents, and Russian Federation soldiers disguised as insurgents). Between Telmanove and Hranitne, at least one enemy company tactical group (CTG) is operating, which received reinforcements a few days ago. In the vicinity of Dokuchajevsk, a combined battalion tactical group (BTG) has been observed; it was formed from the remaining members of the “Kalmius” gang, some [members] of the “Oplot” gang, and Russian mercenaries.
Convoys with wounded insurgents and terrorists continue to arrive at Russian-terrorist forces’ “transfer” medical stations near Khartsyzk and Torez. Over the past 24 hours, at least five of these convoys have been observed. These stations perform “sorting:” the seriously wounded get sent to Russia (Rostov-on-Don), and the rest [of the forces] get treated at general civilian medical institutions in Donbas, where, according to terrorist leadership, there is a shortage of qualified medical personnel and medications, as well as specialized medical equipment needed to treat combat wounds.
Ukrainian servicemen fire their weapons during fighting with pro-Russian separatists in Pisky village, near Donetsk January 21, 2015. REUTERS/Oleksandr Klymenko
By Dmitry Wojciech, Deputy, Irpin City Council, Ukraine
1.20.2015 Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
The Armenian drama is a microcosm of Russian politics. Sadly, in spite of doctors’ efforts, the last participant in this cruel tragedy died today, a six month old baby. This was literally days after Armenia became a member of the Eurasian Union, in spite of mass protests. Armenia has just allowed Russian military bases to be deployed on its territory. In essence this is the sort of relationship that Russia is trying to force on Ukraine. And this is the result, a Russian deserter, who turned out to be a maniac, massacred a whole Armenian family and the possibility of handing him over to the Armenian authorities is not even being discussed. There is no guarantee that the affair will not be quietly buried. Instead of supporting their own people, and demanding a judicial investigation into the military unit and an open trial of the suspect, the Armenian Authorities have made excuses for the mass protest, saying that the Russians should not think we have anything against them and that silly things like this happen. They are already totally dependent on the Kremlin. That is what Putin’s ideal Russian world looks like.
Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
01.20.2015 Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Operational data from Information Resistance:
Against the background of aggravated confrontation in the conflict zone in Donbas, Russian commanders are trying to organize interactions between the forces of the “DNR” and “LNR”terrorist organizations [“Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics”]. Reinforcements from the “LNR troops” are being thrown in the direction of Donetsk. These activities are carried out under the direct supervision and control of Russian specialists.
Simultaneously, in both terrorist organizations, arrangements continue for the resupply of the thinned gang ranks. Thus, in the “DNR” efforts continue to create “reserve lists” for military conscription for all sorts of “checks” and “clarifications,” in reality – for campaigning to join the gang ranks in the next campaign to recruit “volunteers.” In the “LNR” Similar events are held in the form of forced “mobilization,” under the threat of punishment “under martial law” in case of failure.
An extremely difficult situation in the region remains in Donetsk. Among the militants operating in Donetsk, there are persistent rumors about the preparation in this region of a “counter-attack.” In the Petrovsky District of Donetsk, additional enemy artillery groups have been deployed. In the district of Mariinka, an ACS battery (5 units 2S1 “Gvozdika”) is fixed, and the same area is also equipped for battery emplacements of 120-mm mortars. In the Kuibyshev district of Donetsk, the transfer of an armored group (6 combat armored vehicles and 3 tanks) was recorded. Another armored group of Russian-terrorist forces (up to 10 armored vehicles, including 4 tanks), transferred to Vesele.
The enemy continued to carry out fire strikes on advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in the region of the Donetsk airport (DAP), as well as near the settlements of Pisky, Doslidne and Avdiivka, trying to prevent the arrival of reinforcements to Ukrainian units leading the fight in the flank positions of the DAP, as well as carrying out their regrouping. The attempt “to stop the breakthrough” of Ukrainian armored vehicles, realized through the undermining of the Putilov overpass, was the result of the panic of gang personnel, which fell under heavy fire from the tight tank guns of Ukrainian armored groups and were forced to abandon their positions.
Crates under Putilovsky Bridge where a Russian ammunition resupply position was destroyed
In the district of Spartak, Ukrainian artillery suppressed enemy firing points. The insurgents are trying to lead counter-battery fire, but unsuccessfully: during the past two days, three ACS terrorists, as a result of Ukrainian artillery strikes, received substantial damage and were towed to Horlivka. Ukrainian troops are dug in on the outskirts of Spartak. Insurgents, instead of carrying out the task to “take control” of the Donetsk airport (DAP) lost a part of their flanking positions.
Donetsk airport shot from drone plane
In the district of Horlivka, Ukrainian artillery worked on the positions of the insurgents, on weapons depots, on repair shops, on places of concentration of materiel and technical resources. In the courtyard of the machine-building plant the positions of 2 insurgent 2S1 self-propelled howitzers were hit (both are beyond repair).
On the northern and north-western outskirts of Makiivka, the enemy has equipped firing positions for their artillery (both cannon and reactive). The shelling is towards the outskirts of Horlivka and Yenakievo, as well as towards the positions of Ukrainian forces in the area of the Donetsk Airport.
In the area of Trokhizbenka and Krymske, over the past 72 hours the terrorists have made several strikes from cannon artillery and mortars, covering the approach of their units into this region from Alchevsk.
Shelling periodically continues from the terrorists’ artillery group from positions in the area of Stakhanov.
In the area of Stanytsia Luhanska, after obtaining permission for return fire, Ukrainian artillery inflicted a massed strike on the previously-recorded positions of terrorist mortars and artillery.
South of Luhansk in a special “dumpster,” several dozen armoured vehicles are concentrated without crews (up to 25 tanks, up to 30 units of armoured combat vehicles), as a resource for the resupply of the “armies of the DNR and LNR.” The transfer of the equipment from the territory of Russia was performed by a special combined team from one of the brigades of the Southern military district (RF).
Two company tactical groups of Russian forces have been deployed through Krasnodon into the region of Luhansk. Each of them includes up to 20 units of BPM-97 (in service exclusively in the Russian army), up to 10 units of other armoured vehicles, 6 tanks. These groups are used by the leadership of the “LNR” as some [kind of] “reserve of the Supreme Command,” including for the “establishment of a unity of command and the creation of a single command vertical” in the “LNR.” These units have already distinguished themselves in Krasnodon, Sverdlovsk and Luhansk, where they tried to “demilitarize” a number of units of Russian “Cossacks” and local militants who did not want to submit to the leadership of the “LNR.”
The village of Pisky which has taken the brunt of heavy shelling.
By Vlad Demchenko, photojournalist, project author at Docutoloka
01.18.2015 Translated by Voices of Ukraine’s Maria Stanislav and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Pisky is being stormed, the airport has been surrendered, everyone is dead, and all is lost… Sometimes, when you sit in Pisky or even on the DUC (Ukrainian Volunteer Corps) base, you can laugh yourself into a hernia by reading news and Facebook comments. Even after a year, most of our citizens have yet to develop an immunity against panic attacks.
But when Combat [“commander of battalion”] Chornyi [“Black”] says that there’s “some hardcore sh*t in Pisky” – that means things really ARE hardcore. And, if friend Bars [“Panther”] then starts emptying all of his grenade stashes, even the deepest ones – that means that “hardcore sh*t” is probably an understatement.
“The Airport’s Blood Brother” – a report from Pisky by Docutoloka
Moskal [Russian] artillery has been pounding Pisky and the [Donetsk] airport into the ground for two days now. Knowing that Combat will be heading to the front, I nag at him to bring me along. At first, as befits a true chieftain, he refuses, twice (or rather, pretends to ignore me), and then asks, “What are you going to do there?”
…Looks like Chornyi finds my answer to his liking, because he gives the order to pack.
I pack my equipment on the quiet, because there are two more photographers at the base – Tom and Loui – who will kill me if they find out I went without them. They are tough and brave guys but, considering the situation, two foreigners who don’t understand anything or anyone around them are a real burden. Fortunately, they are distracted by the celebration of friend Smereka’s [“Fir’s”] name-day, and while they are munching on holiday treats, I sneak into the car.
“You really think you can take up all this space?” Friend Hatylo [“Attila”] has a formidable argument, namely, an RPK [Kalashnikov’s light machine gun]. Obediently, I shuffle further in.
The trunk is stuffed full of deadly ammunition, there’s a bag full of loaded magazines in my lap. To my left – a pile of weapons almost reaching the car roof, to my right, friend Hatylo with a handheld machine gun. Bars is driving, and Chornyi is the navigator. This is a team to remember, and I can’t shake the feeling that one day, my grandchildren will get bored of my tales about legendary commanders I was lucky to cross paths with. Things get even more dramatic with discussions of possible options for retreating from Pisky – the situation can turn any way, after all. But, as is always the case at the front, most of the way is spent telling stories, cracking jokes, and sharing plans for the peaceful future. Plus, as per tradition, a latté and a hot-dog at the last gas station before the front line.
Road to Pisky. “…Sit down, grandchildren, let me tell you again the story of how I rode to Pisky with the legendary rebel commanders… ))”
The atmosphere at checkpoints is tense. The day’s password is “hummingbird,” countersign “parrot.”
Past Karlivka, the motorway is glum and dangerous, and all villages along it are completely dark – something must have hit the power substation. A busted Ukrainian tank looms out of the darkness, memorial and milestone at once. We have arrived.
This is the same tank that welcomes and sees off everyone who rides to Pisky. In this picture, it’s seeing me off. An entire tank crew was killed on this spot. I’m convinced that this tank should stay here in the future, as a reminder of what happened here in 2014-15.
Outside, it’s pitch black, but felled trees, lying at every turn, testify to the scale of shelling. We are lucky to be here during a quiet time.
I can’t help but feel sorry for this little birch tree.
A tree without the crown – a plant mutation typical for Pisky!
The first thing I see as I step out of the car is a huge black crater in the white snow. The club building, which only had one hole the last time I saw it, stands lopsided, showing signs of several direct hits. Craters are scattered at 20-30 meter intervals, deep and black against the white snow. I get a surprise when I want to go use the bathroom – turns out there isn’t one anymore. Where the outhouse used to be, is a crater filled with debris.
“Look on the bright side – no more cleaning!” Chornyi jokes.
Everyone who’s been to Pisky knows this place. I slept in that triple-level over there, during the latest hot winter nights. Black pits everywhere are craters from the shells [that fell].
The “Orthodox” sub-soldiers shelled the church several times. The guys here told me they heard the bells in the belfry humming for the rest of the night.
The next day, as I wander through Pisky, I hear everyone’s story of how katsap [Russian] shelling helped them out. One hit shook up a pile of frozen coal; another, made a crater perfect for burning trash in. Some are talking about planting trees in the craters, and others say that next summer, the mortars will be great for harvesting potatoes. There are no wounded or dead. Thank God!
Our gunners [artillery men] used to live here earlier. Now they’ve moved. Everyone is alive – they dropped by to take their stuff. )
These doors lead to the apartment where I slept). The separs [slang term for the so-called “separatists”] are still winning in the nomination for “Gentlest Morning Awakening.”
During the day, you can really see the scale of what happened here. When I first came to Pisky, there were still some buildings with windows intact – now, there isn’t a single building left standing! It’s also obvious that professionals were at work here this time, working without giving out coordinates on air, and delivering very precise strikes – several direct hits on each position. It used to be that every direct hit was a special occasion, one that warriors told and retold each other in tales heavily punctuated by choice swearwords. Now, there aren’t many words left… But everyone’s alive! That’s what matters.
An intact fence and an undamaged building – something unheard of in Pisky! Finding an unbroken glass window here is tantamount to finding a nugget of gold )
Mutilated cars, however, lie all over the village. A rich harvest!
The place right behind these two beautiful little cars – that was once our toilet/shower. By the way, whoever says that Chinese cars are sh*t – this one, after everything it’s been through, is ready TO GO! (if the wheels were still intact)
“I can imagine how bummed they’ll be when they get hospital updates [and see that no one got hurt]. I know they’re keeping tabs!” Chornyi is pepped, being obviously in his element here. He visits all positions, finds three cars’ worth of mortar ammo for artillery men, hunts an enemy tank (which WILL get blown up by the end of the day!) and keeps repeating,
“I DON’T BELIEVE THEY’VE GOT ENOUGH ARTILLERY TO BEAT US! Grads are too expensive, Russia isn’t going to keep supplying them. This whole three-ring-circus, along with the lies about the airport, and the ultimatums, that’s just to demoralize us… Well, the hell they will! Let them waste their ammo – all the better!”
He says the same on air, for separs [separatists] to hear. Chornyi is an unparalleled master of separ trolling. Compared to him, snotty katsap warriors are like kids who make prank calls to shout ‘you suck!’ and hang up. [Their air time is all] dumb swears and curses, ‘fascists’ and ‘motherf*ckers,’ and empty threats. I was ‘lucky’ to hear the ‘dynamic duo’ of Givi and Motorola [separatist battalion commanders] on air once. The first one is definitely off his head – like I wrote before, he even talks to his own men like they were swine.
Motorola, now, is just full of sh*t! To use their own terms, ‘kid done f*cked up’ – if you believe him, he’s been taking the airport for half a year now, and has killed everyone in Pisky at least three times, blah, blah, blah… I should note, though, that all our commanders say, “We respect him as a fighter – he’s a tough guy; too bad he’s dumb.”
This is a swimming pool in the spa complex which, according to rumors, belonged to the son of Yanuk [Yanukovych]. Now it is a dump.).
A few direct hits flew into the legendary “sauna.” Took out an entire corner of the building!
The Agrarian Institute!
An interesting dialogue happened between Chornyi and one of the separ commanders, a fellow named Fiksa.
Chornyi: Fiksa, don’t be dumb! Find a white t-shirt, hang it on a stick, come over here, and we’ll solve all our problems. It’s our home, so let’s kick the katsaps out and sort out, on our own, who gets to run Donbas.
Fiksa: Yeah, so there’d be parades in leather underpants here, too…
There you go… The ‘Gayrope’ myth [Gay Europe, popular homophobic slur in Russia], the crucified babies stories – they’re actually working. People are fighting, stuck in the dumbest Matrix ever, and will keep fighting until they get put to rest with a 7.62 caliber shot.
This is what 90% of the buildings in the village of Pisky look like.
After the shelling, Tom and Loui arrive from the base. In the same car as them are two colonels from the artillery school in Sumy. They came here to teach the Right Sector’s warriors to guide artillery. You should’ve seen the gleam in those men’s eyes! That was the real thing! I finally saw how Ukrainian warriors unite into an Army! Soon, Ms Alla Megel will bring you an interview with these colonels – it is not to be missed.
As for me, I’m leaving Pisky for a while. I must write the report for you, process a pile of photographs, and edit new films. One of them, Christmas of a Nation, is already done and will be live online on January 19. I’ll include its trailer at the end of this post, and I strongly recommend it. It is so far my favorite film made by Docutoloka authors!
I don’t know what else to write. This post was shot on the go, processed on the go, and written up on a bus bound for Dnipropetrovsk. I hope you found it interesting.
Pisky – is ours! No matter what!
And, naturally, I want to thank the people who chipped in and put UAH 1,000 [c. USD 60] on my bank card. Going in, I didn’t know whether I’d have money even to get back to Dnipr [Dnipropetrovsk] – and now, thanks to you, I have a berth on the train that will take me all the way to Kyiv, and even a mug of beer to toast the men who are pummeling the damn katsaps right now.
I’m going home! Stay tuned!
Christmas of a Nation (a Docutoloka) documentary – Trailer:
You too can help the independent documentary project DOCUTOLOKA!
– visit our Facebook page, like it, and invite your friends to;
– subscribe to our YouTube channel (thanks to you, we already earned USD 4.5 through YouTube. 🙂 );
– if you can afford to, help us financially. The names of all sponsors will be included in the credits of the new Rokada series! Bank information:
– Privat Bank card N 5168 7553 6963 8966 – Demchenko Volodymys Stepanovych.
– Docutoloka community association. State registration code 39291743, current account 26003453674 in Raiffeisen Bank Aval, MFO 380805.
Also, if anyone has optics for a Canon 60D camera, that would be awesome. ‘Cause we’re still, as the saying goes, ‘naked and barefoot, in a flower crown.’ ))
eorge Tuka, coordinator of “Narodnyi Tyl” volunteer movement
![Everyone who's been to Pisky knows this place. I slept in that triple-level over there, during the latest hot winter nights. Black pits everywhere are craters from the shells [that fell].](https://maidantranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10806322_10206030157772480_2997492304718340572_n.jpg)
![Our gunners [artillery men] used to live here earlier. Now they've moved. Everyone is alive – they dropped by to take their stuff. )](https://maidantranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10911488_10206030160532549_1357334814658537848_o.jpg)
![This is a swimming pool in the spa complex which, according to rumors, belonged to the son of Yanuk [Yanukovych]. Now it is a dump.).](https://maidantranslations.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/10931577_10206030166972710_3600900387583889866_o.jpg)
Voices of Ukraine 