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)
05.05.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas increased the number of their attacks, using predominantly small arms and heavy machine guns,  stand-mounted grenade launchers in several instances, as well as mortars (82 mm mortars in one instance, 120 mm mortars in another). Most of the terrorist attacks and provocations took place in the coastal regions, in the vicinity of the Donetsk International Airport, an area south of Avdiivka, and areas on the Mar’inka – Krasnohorivka and Dokuchajevsk – Novotroitske stretch.

In addition to shellings, militants are conducting active reconnaissance of the ATO forces’ combat lines, regrouping their forces and equipment in a number of areas, and actively improving their combat positions at the front as well as behind the lines. Radio reconnaissance by terrorists has increased in several areas at once – south of Donetsk (from Olenivka to Hranitne), north of Luhansk (the area of Stanytsia Luhanska and Shchastia), and in the Horlivka “corner” (virtually the entire Svitlodarsk arch and areas north of Yasynuvata).

The troops of Russia’s 45th Guards Detached Spetsnaz (Reconnaissance) Brigade seen near Mariupol. Source.

In the area of Avdiivka, militants used small arms from Yasynuvata junction, firing in the direction of the “industrial zone” and further north in the direction of the forest-park area. Intense small arms shellings were observed in the area of Opytne and between Opytne and Vodyane; enemy infantry groups were also detected from the direction of Vesele and the Donetsk International Airport; several rounds from an SPG-9 antitank gun came from the western outskirts of Spartak. In the vicinity of Novotroitske, the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds came under fire repeatedly, in the area of Berezove and southeast of Novotroitske (small arms and AGS-17’s). Near Shyrokyne, two mortar attacks came from the direction of Sakhanka (a militant mobile fire squad that uses automatic 82 mm 2B9 “Vasilek” mortars) shelling the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds east of Hnutove. Southwest of Luhanske, the front line was shelled from RPGs and heavy machine guns, while militant snipers and machine guns were deployed in the area of Rozsadky.

Terrorist units totaling about 300 militants (three companies from unit 08824 of the “DNR 1st Army Corps”) were relocated from positions in the “industrial zone” near Avdiivka and Yasynuvata junction to the area of Panteleymonivka, Donetsk Oblast. Militants are accumulating forces and equipment in the vicinity of this settlement. Rumors are circulating among the militants that the Russian-terrorist troop command are preparing a strike from the vicinity of Panteleymonivka towards Verkhnotoretske, Yasynuvata district. Presently, sources in the command of the “DNR 1st AC” could not confirm these rumors.

At the same time, militants transferred eight MT-12 “Rapira” anti-tank guns to the vicinity of the Donetsk International Airport and Trudovski estate. Some weapons were moved on trailers towed by Ural trucks, some, on MT-LB’s. In addition, militants continue reinforcing their units north of Donetsk. The firing positions of a 122 mm D-30A gun battery were identified at the eastern outskirts of Yasynuvata. Militants also unloaded four MT-LB’s (carrying “Shturm-C” anti-tank missile systems) and three tanks at the Yasynuvata railway station. A battery of six 2S3 “Acacia” 152 mm self-propelled guns was observed further south beyond Yakovlivka (this battery had been previously detected at these positions and was subsequently moved deeper behind militant lines).

Fighters of the Azov Battalion

After the “DNR Ministry of State Security” contributed to the panic about the impending arrival in Donetsk of the mythical SBU “liquidation teams” and special operation forces tasked with eliminating the “DNR” command, the “DNR” chieftain Alexander Zakharchenko signed an order to establish a personal guard regiment. The regiment will include the following military units: No. 08830 (headquarters), No. 08831 and No. 08832 (combat units). The “main combat unit” – No. 08832 with a staff of 860 militants – will be called the “Patriot Battalion.” The total headcount within the regiment is about 1,200 people.

The Russian command is currently deciding on “internship” sites at the forefront of the ATO zone for cadets of the Mikhaylovskaya Military Artillery Academy (St. Petersburg, Russia) who arrived in Donetsk a few days ago. At the moment, Russian academy cadets are housed on the territory of the Donetsk military lyceum, which is guarded by units of the regular Russian Armed Forces and Russian mercenaries from the “DNR’s 1st AC.” A technical support and artillery reconnaissance group arrived in Donetsk from Russia along with representatives of the Mikhaylovskaya Military Artillery Academy; among other equipment, the group is outfitted with specialized UAVs. The Russian “trainees” are tasked with practicing artillery fire control for various types of combat.

A garment factory in Donetsk (in the Tekstylschyk [“Textile worker”] district) received an order from the “DNR” to sew a large number of Ukrainian military uniforms with corresponding insignia. Part of the order, bearing the “Aidar” Battalion insignia, has already been completed and handed over to militants. The rest of the commissioned uniforms have the insignia of Ukrainian Armed Forces brigades (among identified insignia was written “Mykolayiv” and “79”, indicating the 79th Airmobile Brigade from Mykolayiv).

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

This translation work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The rights pertaining to the original work remain unaffected.

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
05.03.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, shellings by Russian-terrorist troops were recorded in the ATO zone, mainly from small arms and grenade launchers; in two instances, militants used 82 mm mortars. Terrorists continue actively reconnoitering the ATO forces’ combat formations, at the front line as well as in the tactical rear, including with the use of aerial drones (two cases were recorded).

Russian militants firing from the roofs of private houses. Photos: liveuamap.com

During the “Easter ceasefire,” militants actively attempted to provoke Ukrainian troops into opening fire. In addition to the shelling, terrorist sniper groups operated during the past two days along several stretches of the front, west and northwest of Donetsk. Enemy snipers were also active in the coastal region (in the Mariupol direction of operations).

The movement of militant combat equipment and weaponry was on the rise during the past three days, in the vicinity of Donetsk and Luhansk. The given reason for the transfer of weapons is “preparation for the May 9 [Victory Day] parade,” but in reality, the Russian-terrorist troop command uses this pretext to carry out large-scale regrouping of its units from one sector into another. In the vicinity of Donetsk, the enemy units operating near Spartak, Putylivka, and the DAP (Vesele) received considerable reinforcements under the guise of “parade preparations.” Additional force included at least one “motorized rifle company” and eight armored vehicles, while four 120 mm mortars and two MT-LB’s with ZU-23-2’s were seen on the move near the railway station. In Luhansk, 10 BTR-80’s were transferred to the northern part of the city.

The “DNR” started reforming the “DNR 1st Army Corps” into a so-called “Donetsk  Operational Command.” According to the official version of the “DNR Ministry of Defense,” moving from a corps system to operational command – the latter being a more effective troop command system – is carried out based on the experience acquired by militants during combat operations. In reality, this reformation was ordered by the Russian military command, which concluded that the staff structures of the “DNR 1st AC” require expanding, because they can no longer effectively control the amount of units and division that currently comprise the “1st AC” (and their number is excessive for one army corps). This also takes into account the Russian command’s plans to continue increasing the numbers of the “DNR” units and divisions. At the same time, similar reformation is considered for the “LNR 2nd AC.”

By “strong recommendation” of the Russian supervisors in the “DNR Ministry of State Security,” the “DNR” command intends to create a database of fingerprints of all firearms owners. This intention caused a panic among militants, especially Russian mercenaries, many of whom are voicing their wish to terminate their contract with the Russian MoD early and return to Russia immediately. Mercenaries believe that this decision is the Russian command’s way of preventing Russian citizens currently fighting in Donbas from returning to the Russian Federation.

Militants are trying to conceal non-combat casualties that took place during the “Easter ceasefire” – namely, in the course of shoot-outs caused by conflicts between terrorists in a state of intoxication. These losses are being used for propaganda purposes, officially attributed to shellings by the ATO forces, which, allegedly, took place during the ceasefire. The command of the “LNR people’s police” made an official statement that a terrorist killed during a drunken brawl in Sokilnyki (Novoaidar district, Luhansk Oblast) was killed by a “mercenary sniper group from the Baltics,” which, allegedly, is fighting on the side of the ATO forces in said area.

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

This translation work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The rights pertaining to the original work remain unaffected.

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
05.03.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the “Easter ceasefire,” Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas sharply decreased their firing activity, without entirely ceasing armed provocations and shellings. In addition to small arms, militants deployed 120 mm mortars at least once; the use of ZU-23-2 was also recorded. Terrorists are using UAVs increasingly often, [for reconnaissance] as well as for attack: a strike drone was used against one of the Ukrainian troop positions. During the holidays [April 30 – May 2], the enemy at the front line repeatedly opened small arms fire. The fire was mainly unsighted and used tracer ammunition. The enemy also used signal ammunition and hand grenades (several explosions were recorded in the neutral zone).

In particular, in the vicinity of Staromykhailivka, militants fired on the ATO forces’ strongholds north of Krasnohorivka and near Nivelske, using 120 mm mortars from positions north of Lozove and north of Dzhankoiska Street [Donetsk]. (Several dozen mortar rounds were fired with a large spread – it is likely that the terrorists’ mortar details were either intoxicated or were purposefully carrying out “harassing fire.”)

Near the village of Rozsadky, militants opened fire from machine guns (including heavy ones) several times, from the direction of Nyzhnje Lozove and Polyove.

A terrorist mobile fire group with a platform-mounted ZU-23-2 was operating from the direction of Staromarivka, firing in the direction of the ATO forces’ strongholds and observation points north and south of Hranitne. This group opened fire from a ZU-23-2 and small arms several times, changing position. It also provided cover fire for militants’ use of underbarrel grenade launchers.

In the vicinity of Shyrokyne, militants fired erratically and used signal rockets.

Militants continue preparing for the ATO forces’ mythical offensive. A classified instruction was sent to the intelligence departments and units of both militant “army corps,” alerting them of the “…need to reinforce efforts in the operational-tactical zone due to the obvious signs of the enemy’s (IR note: the Ukrainian Armed Forces) preparation for a large-scale offensive.” Due to this, terrorist reconnaissance efforts increased in several sections at once (increased numbers of lookouts at the front line, and intensified agent intelligence in liberated territories; the agents are tasked with scouting out locations of the ATO forces’ command points, major railway stations, and the movement of vehicles along the main roads). At the same time, rumors are circulating among militants that the “1st AC” command made a decision to intensify combat in the Mairupol and Horlivka directions of operations in the next few weeks, in order to “repel the Ukrainian Army attacks.”

In Donetsk, the “DNR Ministry of State Security” continues actively searching for the ATO forces’ “liquidator groups.” According to the “Ministry,” Ukrainian special forces and the SBU sent in several “special groups” before the start of the May holidays, tasked with physically eliminating “the DNR leaders.” Due to this, the “border control” and patrols in residential areas have been tightened, and companies, organizations, and private residences are being more frequently subjected to searches.

In the coastal regions, terrorists are pursuing active efforts to prevent a beachside landing of ATO forces’ DRGs and units. During the past week, militants were using reconnaissance equipment near Bezimenne (Novoazovskyi district) to scan the Azov Sea waters for vessels. Earlier, militants had shut down navigation and banned all vessels from sailing in the Novoazovskyi district, from 25.04.2016 onward.

After completing military coordination exercises, a number of artillery units of the “LNR 2nd AC” are moving from the “training centers” (namely, “Lutuhyne camps”) to their permanent stations. Three cannon artillery batteries (mainly D-30 and D-30A 122 mm guns) and their support units transferred through Luhansk.

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

This translation work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The rights pertaining to the original work remain unaffected.