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)
03.14.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past weekend (03.12-03.13.2016), Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas shelled the ATO forces’ positions using small arms, grenade launchers, mortars (82/120 mm), as well as 122 mm artillery (in at least 3 instances) and tanks (twice).

Terrorist shellings were observed along the entire western and northwestern section of the stretch between Donetsk (Mar’inka) and Horlivka (Mayorsk – Zaitseve).

The most tense situation is observed in the section near the Yasynuvata junction (the so-called “industrial zone”) as well as sections adjacent to it from the north and the southeast. In this area, militants are actively using heavy machine guns, stand-mounted grenade launchers, and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars. The enemy fire comes from positions near the 251.2 m and 272.m m high grounds, the undergrowth near Yasynuvata rail station, positions near the [water treatment] filtering station, and the “Tornado” gas station. During the past 24 hours, terrorist forces in this area were considerably reinforced and supplied with various armaments. The ATO forces’ positions twice came under fire from 122 mm cannon artillery, fired from the direction of Mineralne and the Verkhnjekalmiuske [Upper Kalmius] reservoir. Three terrorist tanks were also operating from positions south of the “Parallel” gas station (from a forested area) and from the direction of a militant checkpoint near Yasynuvata rail station. At the same time, two militant tanks maneuvered between the 251.2 m high ground and the “Gospodar” market [old Avdiivka], making brief stops to fire (following the pattern: 2-3 shots, movement, up to 4 shots, more movement).

From the direction of Dachnyy passway and the northern outskirts of Spartak, militants are occasionally firing at Ukrainian troop positions at Butovka [Mine] and Zenith, using the guns aboard ACV’s (BMP-2) as well as mortars of both calibers.

Militant activity has notably increased in the vicinity of Novotoshkivske, where the ATO forces’ positions are being shelled from 120 mm mortars. Terrorist infantry groups and DRG’s also stepped up their activity in proximity to the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds in the area of the 175.9 m high ground and Trokhizbenka, operating from the direction of Krasniy Lyman and Smile [Smileh], respectively.

A unit of Russian Spetsnaz arrived in the vicinity of Dokuchajevsk from the direction of Styla, transferred aboard 4 Kamaz trucks and two “Tiger” GAZ-2330 armored vehicles.

During the past few days, militants have been actively delivering ammunition (for small arms, mortars, and cannon artillery) to the area of Michurine, Telmanove district. Up to 10 vehicle loads arrived over the past weekend. Ammunition is being stacked in a hangar on the western outskirts of the village.

Nine new “Grad” BM-21 MLRS were identified at the premises of the Horlivka “Remmash” Works (2 Vavylova Street, Horlivka).

Some units of the “DNR 1st Army Corps” are starting to suffer from lack of ammunition for certain weapons. This is due to the fact that Russia is only partially fulfilling militants’ “requests” [for ammunition]. Namely, during the past two weeks, “DNR” units received only 50% of the requested amount of 120 mm mortar rounds, and some 30% of requested ammunition for ZU-23-2 from Russia.

Militants are using the grounds and equipment of “Tochmash” OJSC [precise machinery works] (1 Zhmury Street, Donetsk) to repair combat equipment (IFV’s, APC’s, etc.). A new welding line was delivered to this facility from Russia in early March, to be used for armored vehicle repair.

Reformation efforts continue in respect of the “Vostok” gang, which is planned for inclusion in the “DNR interior forces.” These include personnel checks, inventory-taking, and weapons survey. Discontent is spreading throughout the lower ranks of this gang due to its reformation, and some members have filed resignation notices. At the same time, after terrorists from this gang complained about the low levels of supplies and provisions, additional uniform items arrived for the needs of the “Vostok” gang from Russia, via the “Uspenka” checkpoint. These include 50 sets of winter uniforms, 300 pairs of tactical gloves, 50 pairs of combat boots, 30 ghillie suits, and more – provided by private individuals from the Rostov Oblast of Russia as “humanitarian aid.”

Post-apocalyptic images of the liberated Shyrokyne in the aftermath of the ‘Russian world’ – photos by Olena Bilozerska via censor.net

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
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
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
TZM, TLV – transporter-loading vehicle
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
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)
03.11.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue actively shelling the ATO forces’ positions and civilian targets, using small arms, grenade launchers of various types, as well as 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 122 mm artillery, and armored vehicles, including tanks. Shelling is carried out on several sections of the demarcation line. At the same time, militants are observing and reconnoitering the combat positions of Ukrainian troops along almost the entire length of the contact line.

Militants have been the most active in the broad stretch between Pisky and the northern outskirts of Horlivka (especially near Avdiivka). Namely, in the vicinity of Avdiivka, terrorists deployed heavy armor – a pair of tanks left the forrested area near the 272.2 m high ground and opened fire in the direction of Ukrainian troop positions west of the Yasynuvata junction (up to 10 HE projectiles). Later, two “Gvozdika” 2S1 122 mm self-propelled guns fired on the ATO forces’ positions west of the “Gospodar” Market (eastern part of old Avdiivka). At the same time, heavy 120 mm mortar shellings by militants were recorded.

Militants attacked residential sector in Avdiivka (Donetsk region) morning of March 10, 2016

On the stretch between Pisky and Butovka [Mine], including Opytne, terrorists are carrying out heavy fire from mortars and stand-mounted grenade launchers, providing cover for their small (up to one platoon) infantry groups operating near Avdiivka and the DAP.

Southeast of this area, a terrorist group on board of armored vehicles (two BMP-2’s and one BTR-80) fired on the ATO forces’ observation points and strongholds southeast and east of Novhorodske. After firing, the armored group retreated in the direction of the Lenina Mine and Zalizna Balka. Near Rozsadky, militants fired from the on-board weapons of BMP-2 (at least one armored vehicle was identified here).

Regrouping of Russian-terrorist troop units continues east of Horlivka. A unit on board of BMP-1’s and BMP-2’s (up to 10 armored vehicles) was spotted on the march near Bairak, headed towards the northern direction of operations. This unit has been transferred to resupply the left flank units of the militant “7th separate motorized rifle brigade” that holds defensive positions in this area.

A “joint DNR-LNR brigade” is being created in the vicinity of Yenakijeve, headed by Russian officers serving in “LNR” armed gangs. The total planned headcount of the brigade is some 2,500 personnel. Militant selection is being coordinated by the terrorist with the call-sign “Sanych.”

The “DNR Ministry of Defense” is taking urgent measures to reinforce the gangs comprising the “1st DNR Army Corps.” At this time, its units are, on average, 30-35% understaffed (some, up to 60%). The “DNR MoD” has decided to address the “supervisors” in Moscow with a request for urgent additional financial aid for the DNR, in order to increase militants’ pay, in the hope of creating additional motivation for local residents to join the “military service” as “contract soldiers.”

Stuff left by the “local rebels” in Shyrokyne, Ukraine: Russian-made specialist silent ammo 4 Spetsnaz (SOF) Source: @AlexPanchenko2

A unit of the Russian Armed Forces, up to one company in strength, arrived in Debaltseve for subsequent return to Russia. The moral and psychological state of this unit’s personnel is strongly negative. Up to 10 coffins with destroyed Russian military servicemen from this unit will be returning to the Russian Federation with the personnel.

Twenty T-72 tanks, seven “Grad” BM-21 MLRS, and several 122 mm howitzers have been unloaded at Matveev Kurgan railway station in the Rostov Oblast of Russia (close to the state border of Ukraine).

The “LNR” military leadership issued an order on “preventing damage and disabling of military equipment and armaments during combat training exercises.” The order mentions large-scale cases of damage to military equipment done by militants during “training.” Due to lack of [military] equipment in many “LNR” units, “requisitioned” civilian transport is used to transport personnel, practically as a norm. The order instructs unit commanders to sharply increase disciplinary penalties for negligent handling of equipment and armaments.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
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
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
TZM, TLV – transporter-loading vehicle
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
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)
03.04.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

In addition to the “traditional” weapons like small arms, grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas once again began using rocket artillery for fire attacks on the ATO forces’ positions and civilian objects (MLRS BM-21 “Grad” systems were used to fire at strongholds in the area of Krasnohorivka and Nevelske) and 152 mm artillery (“Msta-B” howitzers were used in the area of Zaitseve).

The intensity of the shelling is growing, not only in the “traditionally hot” sections, but also in several other areas. In the coastal regions, terrorist shelling began in the areas of Pavlopil and Chermalyk. Militant activity intensified in the area of the Svitlodarsk ridge (the area of Rozsadky and Skeleve). Attacks by fire from small arms are observed in the area of Zolote.

In the area south of Donetsk, another armed confrontation was recorded. Namely, Ukrainian troop strongholds south of Novotroitsk were attacked by an enemy infantry group (about 50 personnel in total, divided into three subgroups). This group moved forward from the vicinity of Tsentralnyy Karyer [Central Quarry] (Dokuchajevsk): one subgroup bypassed the ATO forces’ advanced position along its flank (moving through the greenery), and tried to fire at another ATO forces’ stronghold using RPG’s and automatic small arms and machine guns, while a second subgroup blocked the neighboring stronghold. After a brief confrontation, militants retreated in the direction of the Central Quarry and the old colony.

Terrorist units switched to a heightened state of readiness in several areas (Petrovskiy district of Donetsk, Putylivka–Spartak–DAP, Yasynuvata, “Horlivka garrison,” Olenivka–Dokuchajevsk stretch, the Sakhanka–Zaichenko group and the Stakhanov group). Militants are actively delivering material and technical supplies to these groups, and resupplying them with personnel and equipment. Regular meetings with the “command staff” are held at the headquarters of the militant 1st and 2nd “Army Corps” (at the “1st Army Corps,” the “DNR” ringleader Alexander Zakharchenko held a secret meeting with gang commanders). A large number of battalion-level units of the “1st AC” (mainly from the second echelon) are undergoing combat coordination exercises in so-called “training centers.”

A number of first-line militant units are considerably understaffed. In the meantime, their commanders report that their units are fully staffed, for reasons of personal gain – in order to receive financial and material supplies for full staff numbers. This pattern is typical for units in a number of areas south of Donetsk, north of Luhansk, and in the areas along the border of the “DNR” and “LNR”‘s respective responsibility zones.

“Telmanove area, March 2, 1st separate motor rifle brigade of Putin’s orcs. The land is ready for war?” @GirkinGirkin

The “DNR” command organized mandatory lectures for medical staff in the health facilities of Kirovske, Komsomolsk, Telmanove, and Novoazovsk (Donetsk Oblast). The main subject matter [of these lectures] are the types of combat injuries and their treatment. All medical staff, regardless of their specialization, must attend the lectures. Currently, about 30% of beds in inpatient departments of medical institutions in the above towns are kept vacant, in order to provide immediate medical assistance to militants, if necessary. The lectures are conducted under the pretext of the anticipated large-scale offensive by Ukrainian troops.

Discontent is on the rise among the militants of the “1st Army Corps of the DNR,” aimed at officers of the Russian Armed Forces appointed as commanding officers among this unit. The strongest causes of this discontent are drill training and the rigorous demands to strengthen military discipline. Another cause for irritation is the requirement to prepare “emergency suitcases” (containing a compass, a map-marking stencil, pencils, etc.) at the militants’ own expense.

In the course of investigating the “Vostok” gang command, representatives of the “DNR MIA” and the “DNR prosecutor’s office” established that militant commanders are actively seeking ways to sell the coal mined in the occupied areas (in particular, [the coal mined from] “dugouts” in the area of Torez). In addition, gang commanders instructed militants to seek out various profitable manufacturing facilities, which the gang aims to take control of (most recently, a poultry farm near Krasnyi Partyzan came “under the patronage” of militants in this manner). In its defense, the “Vostok” command proclaim that they are seeking such facilities in order to “officially execute a lease,” with the alleged intention to conclude contracts and subsequently make payments under them.

Train cars full of coal at Yasynuvata. Photo by @GirkinGirkin

The “Ministry of State Security of the LNR” launched investigations of several commanders of the “2nd AC of the LNR” in connection with their participation in “contraband schemes.” The Russian FSB representatives in the “LNR” demand that these cases are handed over to their jurisdiction, because names of Russian servicemen keep cropping up in the course of investigation. Spy scares are on the rise in the “Republic” – intensive “search operations” to identify “Ukrainian spies” are currently underway in several towns (Rovenky, Antratsyt, Krasnyi Luch, Krasnodon).

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
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
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
TZM, TLV – transporter-loading vehicle
SPG-9 – stand-mounted grenade launcher
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.