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)
02.08.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past weekend (02.06 – 02.07.2016), the situation in the ATO zone in Donbas was the most tense in the Donetsk (Mar’inka, Staromykhailivka, Pisky, Opytne, Avdiivka) and Alchevsk directions of operation (Zaitseve, the Zhovanka river), in the area of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, and in the Telmanove – Hranitne area.

Units of Russian-terrorist troops, as per “tradition,” shelled Ukrainian troop positions in the vicinity of Pisky and Opytne. Several terrorist groups (8-10 personnel in each), moving under the covering fire of heavy machine guns, entered the neutral zone and opened fire on the ATO forces’ strongholds, using automatic small arms and machine guns. During the shellings, militants also used RPG’s (firing HE projectiles) and underbarrel grenade launchers. Terrorists operated in the vicinity of the destroyed radar station (the DAP) and in the private residences area on the outskirts of Spartak.

Heavy fire came down on the southern and eastern outskirts of Avdiivka, where terrorists deployed 82 mm automatic mortars (“Vasilek” 2B9 or similar), firing from the high grounds near the Yasynuvata junction. The “Zenith” stronghold and the remains of buildings near the vent header of the Butovska Mine also came under fire (militants used AGS-17’s and SPG-9’s).

A militant mortar unit (three 120 mm mortars) fired from positions in the private residences area in south Staromykhailivka. In this vicinity, terrorists also used the on-board weaponry of the two BTR-80’s that maneuvered through the area. From the northern part of the settlement, militants fired using SPG-9’s.

In the vicinity of Mar’inka, militants fired heavily on the ATO forces’ strongholds and positions, deploying four AGS-17’s from the “Crocodile” waste bank.

Militants also stepped up their activity in a number of other areas. Mortars were used in the Zhovanka – Zaitseve area, with support from heavy machine guns. Here, terrorists operated not only from the southern side of Zaitseve, but also from positions near Holmivskyi. Another terrorist mortar group is constantly operating from positions north of the Terykonna station (firing towards Zhovanka – Zaitseve as well as towards Mayorsk).

Grenade launcher and heavy machine gun fire was coming from the direction of Shyroka Balka. Fire from 120 mm mortars was also recorded from the direction of Horlivka (from positions between Lenina Ave and Marshala Zhukova Street, as well as near the knitwear factory).

Terrorist formations have also been activated in the vicinity of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead. Heavy machine guns and stand-mounted grenade launchers (AGS-17 and SPG-9) were used against the ATO forces’ strongholds northeast of Rozsadky (from the direction of Veselohorivka), as well as on a number of Ukrainian troop strongholds and observation points east of Troitske (from the direction of Kalynove).

North of Staromarivka, terrorists deployed mortars from positions near Krasnyi Oktyabr and Pervomaiske, firing at the ATO forces’ stronghold north of Hranitne. A militant group stationed on positions north of the destroyed bridge provided supporting fire from machine guns and AGS-17’s.

In and around Donetsk, the “DNR Ministry of State Security” is deploying “filtering measures.” In addition to the stationary checkpoints, 12 mobile checkpoints were deployed, mainly near the city exits. Some of them are reinforced with armored vehicles. According to the rumors that are being circulated among militants, a search is underway for Ukrainian DRGs – supposedly, the “Kyiv junta,” unwilling to pass a law on the amnesty of terrorists, gave orders to eliminate the “DNR” higher-ups, including Zakharchenko, and to carry out a number of large-scale sabotage acts in Donetsk.

A combined unit of Russian marines dressed in “DNR” militant uniforms was identified in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk (near Ratsionalizatoriv Street). An armored group (up to 10 BMP’s and MT-LB’s) was spotted south of that area, and six tanks further east.

Militant mobile groups were identified in Horlivka, near Michurina Street and the Komarova residential estate. Each group has 1-2 APC’s, 2-3 trucks with 82 mm mortars, SPG-9’s, sometimes ZU-23-2 or anti-tank guns, and 20-30 personnel. These groups take positions covertly, fire on targets, and promptly leave. Similar groups were previously spotted in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk, in the Putilovka area [of Donetsk], near the Novyi Horniak and Vtoraya Ploshchadka neighborhoods.

A camouflaged militant anti-tank battery was identified between Yasne and Dokuchajevsk. The battery comprises four 100 mm “Rapira” MT-12 antitank guns.

Artist Yury Zhuravel

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
HE – high-explosive shells
KSM – command and staff vehicle
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems
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)
02.09.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

A Ukrainian soldier raises flag in occupied Zaitseve, Ukraine on his birthday, Feb 9. Source: (Screenshot from video)

During the past 24 hours, Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas were the most active in the areas of Donetsk and Horlivka, in a number of locations between these two cities, as well as south of Donetsk and on the Svitlodarsk bridgehead.

In the vicinity of Pisky and Opytne, militants actively shelled the ATO forces’ positions from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers (AGS-17, SPG-9). Near Mar’inka, terrorists deployed mortars of the two main calibers (82 mm and 120 mm) and heavy machine guns; sniper fire was also recorded.

Further north, militants fired on the southern and northern outskirts of Krasnohorivka from the direction of Staromykhailivka (private residence areas), using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars.

East of Troitske, the ATO forces’ positions were shelled from 82 mm “Vasilek” 2B9 mortars; the detonation of approximately ten 120 mm projectiles was also recorded. In the same area, militants opened fire from the neutral zone, using small arms and RPG’s.

In the vicinity of Zaitseve, the enemy deployed machine guns from the direction of Holmivskyi, and from positions southeast of Novhorodske. In the latter case, a terrorist infantry group attempted to approach Ukrainian troop positions and was stopped by the ATO forces’ fire. The group’s retreat was covered by fire from a BTR-80’s on-board guns.

A Ukrainian soldier raises flag in occupied Zaitseve, Ukraine today on his birthday.

Militants fired on [the ATO forces’] strongholds east of Rozsadky from the direction of
Sanzharivka and Veselohorivka, using heavy machine guns and AGS-17’s.

Machine gun fire came at the Ukrainian troop stronghold east of Starohnativka from the direction of Starolaspa. Terrorists also used SPG-9’s from the direction of Bila Kamyanka.

Two ATO forces’ strongholds came under fire from 82 mm mortars and heavy machine
guns, used by militants from positions near Kominternove. In particular, their firing positions are equipped on the southwestern and western outskirts of Kominternove.

Militants continue transferring combat equipment along the Snizhne – Donetsk
and Starobesheve – Donetsk lines. During the past 24 hours, up to five BTR-80’s, five BMP-2’s and two MT-LB’s (one carrying a ZU-23-2) were transferred.

Militants are equipping positions in the vicinity of Staromarivka (north of the destroyed bridge, as far as Krasnyi Oktyabr). According to our preliminary data, this area will receive a unit of up to one reinforced “motorized rifle company” in strength, with armored vehicles (a company tactical group).

Up to 1,000 militant personnel are stationed in the Alchevsk – Perevalsk area (concentrated here during the past week). Periodically, militant groups from this number advance towards Bryanka and Stakhanov.

Further west, we observed:
• near Lomuvatka – 10-11 pieces of various armored vehicles (no tanks, mainly
BMP-1 and MT-LB);
• near Almazna and Kalynove – one reinforced company each (9-10 pieces of combat equipment, motor vehicles, mortar type armaments (82 and 120 mm), ZU-23-2, and up to one battery of 100 mm “Rapira” MT-12). The companies’ equipment is partially camouflaged, partially on display (which appears to be a demonstrative action).

Near Horlivka (the settlement of Myrnyi), a battery of five D-30-A 122 mm howitzers (towed) was spotted on the march. The guns were moved during the hours of dusk, with large gaps.

In the Putilovka area of Donetsk, six militant tanks were spotted in the vegetation. Previously, the IR group spotted this tank group in the private residences sector in front of the DAP; it has now been withdrawn somewhat deeper into the terrorists’ positions.

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
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)
02.05.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Another conflict escalation is observed in the ATO zone. Russian-terrorist forces have increased the intensity of their fire attacks using small arms, anti-tank systems, 120 mm mortars, and armored vehicles.

During the past 24 hours, militants have “traditionally” fired at the ATO forces’ positions near Pisky, Opytne, the “Zenith” [position], the Butovska [mine], the southern and eastern suburbs of Avdiivka, northeast of Novoselivka, in the area of Mar’inka, and east of Novhorodske (where militants also used the on-board weapons of ACVs). The attacks were carried out mainly from heavy machine guns and grenade launchers (mostly AGS-17 and SPG-9). In addition, terrorists used  82- and 120 mm mortars (the latter were deployed north of Pisky and Opytne; several detonations of 120 mm mortar rounds were observed in the area of Novhorodske ). Snipers operated in the area of Mar’inka; sniper fire was delivered from a waste bank, as was fire from 82 mm mortars and grenade launchers (SPG-9).

Near Rozsadky and the Skeleva river, the enemy deployed stand-mounted grenade launchers. Moreover, two militant infantry groups, entrenched in the greenery in the neutral zone, fired from small arms, RPGs’, and underbarrel grenade launchers.

Zaitseve, Ukraine. The consequences of night attacks by Russian militants Feb. 2, 2016. Source: Screenshots from Ukraine Military TV video

In the area of Zaitseve – Zhovanka, militants carried out intense mortar fire (from 82- and 120 mm mortars). Terrorists used heavy fire in an attempt to “squeeze out” Ukrainian troops from their positions. Return fire was opened [by the Ukrainian troops], and a firefight ensued.

Zaitseve, Ukraine. The consequences of night attacks by Russian militants Feb. 2, 2016. Source: Screenshots from Ukraine Military TV video

In the area of Hnutove – Talakivka, militants fired from 82- and 120 mm mortars from the direction of Kominternove and Zaichenko; in two instances, the enemy deployed mobile ZU-23-2 units.

A rapid increase in the activity of armed gangs is observed in the gap between Pryshyb and Krasnyi Lyman and along the entire stretch between Tr’okhizbenka and Slovyanoserbsk. Militants are firing from grenade launchers, small arms, 120 mm mortars (three mortars fired on the ATO forces’ positions from across the Seversky Donets river).

In addition to the “DNR’s” “motorized infantry brigade” previously deployed near Horlivka, terrorists are gradually concentrating several reinforced companies and battalions in the same area. In particular, two such units are deployed east of Horlivka, in the direction of Panteleimonivka and Yasynuvata; another reinforced battalion is a de facto reserve unit, deployed in the area of Yenakijeve – Makiivka. This formation is reinforced by armored groups (including tanks) and artillery groups. Some of the personnel and equipment are advanced towards the area of Holmivskyi and Bairak station.

In the Petrovskiy district of Donetsk, the movement of terrorist forces and equipment is observed. During the past 24 hours, an armored group (four BMP-2s) and a mobile fire team (five 82 mortars on trucks) were spotted moving in the direction of the railroad, north of Vuhlehirsk Street. A militant howitzer battery (six 122 mm D-30 howitzers) is stationed in camouflaged positions in the greenery northwest of Shvedova Avenue; two tanks are identified in the same area.

Two of the militants’ BM-21 “Grad” MLRS covertly advanced between the settlements of Vesele and Zaichenko. In the same area, we are observing a reinforcement of terrorist formations on the right flank, in the general direction of Talakivka (up to six BMP-2 and MT-LB were transferred to the area of Zaichenko). East of Sakhanka, firing positions equipped for towed artillery were discovered (as of yet unoccupied).

Zaitseve, Ukraine. The consequences of night attacks by Russian militants Feb. 2, 2016. Source: Screenshots from Ukraine Military TV video

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
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.