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)
01.25.2016
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 shelling the ATO forces’ positions, using, among others, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, as well 100 mm caliber anti-tank weapons; 122 mm artillery, MLRS, and militant tanks are present in several sections at the front line.

The enemy is conducting active land-based, radiotechnical, and air reconnaissance of the ATO forces’ combat formations, both on the tactical and operational-tactical scale.

Terrorist DRGs are active (their main task being to lay minefields), creating the foundations for future sabotage in the tactical and operational-tactical rear of the Ukrainian troops. Multiple “caches” and “warehouses” are being created, holding weapons, ammunition, and explosives for use by the DRGs (both “visiting” and “locally formed” groups).

During the past weekend (01/23-01/24/2016), militants actively shelled the ATO forces’ advanced strongholds and observation points near Donetsk: in the vicinity of Pisky, Opytne, south and west of Avdiivka, and near Novhorodske and Novoselivka. Near Opytne, a terrorist group up to one platoon in strength attempted to approach an ATO stronghold from the direction of the DAP’s ruined approach radiolocation station and to shell it from close range (the group was discovered by Ukrainian troops’ battlefield security, and, following a short firefight, retreated under covering fire from AGS-17 and ZU-23-2). Militants in this area also opened fire on the ATO forces’ advanced positions using 82 mm mortars and SPG-9’s from the direction of Spartak, DAP, and the high grounds east of the Yasynuvata junction. Near Pisky, an enemy BTR-80 used its on-board weaponry to provide cover to several small terrorist firing groups which attempted to shell [ATO forces] from RPG’s and underbarrel grenade launchers, operating near Naberezhna Street, Chystyakov Street, and at the joining of Chervonoarmiiske Highway into Myra Street (Donetsk). AGS-17 fire was also noted in the northern part of the town [of Pisky], from beyond the minefield on the Zhobunky side.

On multiple occasions, militants opened fire from stand-mounted grenade launchers (in addition to fire from automatic small arms) near Novhorodske (from the direction of Shyroka Balka) and Novoselivka (from the direction of Stavky and Batmanivka). Small arms fire was recorded south of Mayorsk, where militants also deployed ZU-23-2’s in several instances.

In the northern part of Zaitseve, militants actively fired westwards towards the Zhovanka river, using 82 mm mortars, AGS-17’s, and, in two instances, ZU-23-2’s. In this section, the enemy made another attempt to pass between Zaitseve and the Zhovanka, and reach the flank of the ATO forces’ stronghold. A small militant infantry group attempted this, and was stopped by precision machine gun fire and sniper fire, and forced to retreat to their original positions.

During the weekend, terrorists also opened fire from 120 mm mortars near Starohnativka, from positions west of Krasnyi Oktyabr and Pervomaiske, and in the bend of the Kalmius river (previously, IR group reported on the transfer of mortar units to this area).

Four tanks were spotted in Donetsk, in the greenery beyond Korabelna Street.

Russian-terrorist troop formations in the Luhansk direction of operations are continuing to receive reinforcements. South of Vesela Hora, we spotted the deployed positions of a motorized infantry company with armored vehicles (6-8 armored vehicles, BMP-2 and BMP-1). In total, militants deployed forces equal to at least one reinforced battalion between Kruta Hora and Vesela Hora, with artillery positions beyond Raivka, equipped with at least eight 122 mm “Gvozdika” 2S1 self-propelled guns (even though artillery must remain withdrawn south of Luhansk, according to the Minsk agreements).

The terrorist group in the vicinity of the Bakhmut motorway opposite from Kirovsk, is being reinforced with an armored group transferred from the direction of Irmino (four MT-LB’s [including one lengthened model], two BRM-1K, one BMP-2, two BTR-80’s), and three trucks with personnel.

South of Donetsk, between Mar’inka and Dokuchajevsk, militant combat formations are being tightened. Additional forces and equipment are being transferred here, including tanks (used to reinforce the enemy’s strongholds in this area).

The enemy is regrouping forces deployed near Mospyne. After the motorized infantry company previously concentrated here (nine BMP-1’s and BMP-2’s, several MT-LB’s, and BRM-1K) was transferred towards Horlivka, the amount of tanks in this area has also dropped dramatically. Only about 6 tanks are remaining, from the terrorist tank battalion (24 tanks) previously concentrated in this area. As of this time, we have been unable to ascertain the direction of redeployment of the rest of the tanks.

Ukrainian pilot and MP Nadiya Savchenko, pictured here in the ATO in 2014, and before her capture by Russian-proxy “separatists” near Metalist, Ukraine on June 17th of that year. Today, January 26th, 2016 marks the 40th day of her second hunger strike protest in Russian detention while her court trial continues.

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)
01.22.2016
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 ATO forces’ positions.

During the past 24 hours, militants, “as per tradition,” were shelling Ukrainian troop positions in the vicinity of Pisky (AGS-17 and heavy machine guns), both from the direction of Zhobunky and from the Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate (in the latter case, two BTR-80’s were deployed). Militants also used 82 mm mortars from the direction of Spartak, Yasynuvata junction, and the DAP, shelling the ATO forces’ strongholds in front of the Donetsk Bypass (near Opytne) and south of Avdiivka (in this instance, at least two militant SPG-9 details were deployed in addition to the mortars).

Militants from the “Horlivka garrison” were active in the area of Shyroka Balka. Operating in several firing groups from the western and northwestern outskirts of the town, terrorists attempted to shell the ATO forces’ positions using automatic small arms and RPG’s. After the militants advanced to effective range, Ukrainian battlefield security stopped them with heavy fire from automatic weapons and machine guns, forcing them to retreat to their initial lines.

The ATO forces’ positions east and northeast of Krasnohorivka were shelled by several militant BMP-2’s from an area north of the ponds near Staromykhailivka. In addition, militants opened fire from AGS-17’s and heavy machine guns on the town of Staromykhailivka itself, firing from the direction of the Zhylmaidanchyk [Zhilploshchadka] district. Another BMP-2 was deployed by terrorists near Hranitne (firing across the Kalmius river).

Enemy sniper groups were active in the vicinity of Mar’inka and Troitske. Snipers operated under the covering fire of 82 mm mortars and heavy machine guns, using the usual pattern: take their positions covertly, open fire, and quickly retreat under cover of mortar fire.

Brief militant shellings from small arms were recorded in the Talakivka direction of operation, near Shumy and Mayorsk.

In the territory controlled by the “LNR,” the six main defense-industrial facilities located in this area have been brought to a virtual standstill: Luhansk Cartridge Works OJSC (cartridge production), Luhansk Aircraft Repair Works SE (capital aviation equipment repairs), Yunost OJSC (electromagnetic relay production), Pervomaisk Mechanical Works OJSC (aviation hydraulics), “Donetsk” Central Engineering Bureau SE (specialized technological equipment production), and H.I. Petrovskiy State Chemical Enterprise (production and disposal of industrial high-explosive substances).

Production is stopped due to lack of manufacturing orders and components for the production of dual-purpose products, and due to the fact that products are not certified in the Russian Federation. Some facilities (such as the Luhansk Cartridge Works) recently received orders from the terrorist organizations “DNR” and “LNR,” but even those small-scale orders were not paid for. At the same time, a large part of these companies’ equipment has been removed to the Russian Federation.

Monitoring the media space in the Ukraine-controlled parts of the ATO zone shows that local citizens are further affected by Russian propaganda. Namely, in Dzershynsk (Donetsk oblast), digital television networks are broadcasting Russian channels prohibited in Ukraine (Rossiya-24, Rossiya-1, NTV, TNT, Zvezda, Ren-TV, Life News) and TV channels of the so-called “DNR” (Oplot TV, Novorossiya TV, Oplot 2, etc.). Ukrainian TV channels are not broadcast at all.

“The Ukrainian sun rises in Donbas”

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)
01.21.2016
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, Russian-terrorist troop activity in Donbas decreased somewhat, although the fighting continues overall. Militants fired on the ATO forces’ positions using small arms as well as heavy machine guns, mortars (82 mm), grenade launchers, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons.

Over the past day, terrorists actively fired on Ukrainian troop positions in the area of Opytne, Pisky, and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka. The attack involved several enemy firing groups using 82-mm mortars, AGS-17’s, and heavy machine guns. The main positions from which the enemy fired were located in the vicinity of the DAP, Spartak, Vtoraya Ploshchadka estate, and the high grounds around the Yasynuvata junction. Terrorists also used an 82 mm mortar battery to fire towards both Pisky and Opytne from the intersection of Marshala Zhukova Avenue and Stratonavtiv Street in a residential district of Donetsk.

Pisky. Screenshot from film 5 Cyborgs.

Near Shyroka Balka, a militant infantry group attempted, under heavy covering fire from AGS-17’s and heavy machine guns, to take firing positions close to the ATO forces’ advanced observation posts and strongholds (northeast of Novoselivka), and to open fire [on the ATO positions] from small arms and RPG’s. A skirmish broke out, and after return fire was opened, terrorists retreated behind their lines.

A sniper group operating from militant positions in the neutral zone targeted advanced ATO forces’ positions close to Oleksandrivka (under covering fire from 82 mm 2B9 “Vasilek” mortars and heavy machine guns).

Two ATO forces’ strongholds to the east of Rozsadky came under fire from 82 mm mortars. Enemy sniper activity was noted in this and the neighbouring section (in the direction of ATO forces’ positions near Skeleve), with two sniper groups at work.

In the coastal areas, the militants continue armed provocations designed to attract return fire from Ukrainian troops. The enemy fired in the direction of the ATO forces’ checkpoint on motorway T0519 using small arms and AGS-17’s. Machine guns and RPG-7’s were fired at the Shyrokyne area from the high grounds near Sakhanka. Unsighted automatic small arms fire at Ukrainian troops’ defense lines was observed from militant positions north of Kominternove. Several terrorist infantry groups also opened fire in the direction of Vodyane from camouflaged positions southwest of Kominternove, using 82 mm mortars.

The transfer of enemy troops towards the Horlivka area continues. Militants are moving armored vehicles from Vuhlehirsk to the rear of their battalion tactical group deployed east of Horlivka. Five MT-LB’s were brought in during the past 24 hours. Militants are concentrating artillery and armored vehicles between the knitwear factory and the Horlivske Reservoir: we observed the transfer of several 100 mm MT-12 “Rapira” trailer-mounted anti-tank guns, up to five BTR-70’s, and two MT-LB’s.

Terrorists in the vicinity of Horlivka are setting up observation posts and firing positions on the waste banks and dumps of several mines (near Zalizna Balka, Lenina Mine, Poselok 6-7 estate, Haharina Mine). Firing positions are equipped with mortars and grenade launchers (mainly SGP-9); in one instance, a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannon was pulled up onto a waste bank. These positions allow militants to carry out observation and direct aimed fire at targets further behind the ATO forces’ lines. In particular, these vantage points give clear visuals on the ATO forces’ positions south of Artemove, Shumy, and Mayorsk.

The militants are transferring forces through Prymorske (south of Telmanove), to either reinforce or rotate their units deployed in the Oktyabr–Krasnoarmiiske–Zaichenko triangle (the situation requires further monitoring). Up to ten tented trucks with personnel, one BTR-80, and two BMP-2’s were transferred here during the past 24 hours.

Russian-terrorist forces, numbering at least two thousand personnel with up to 150 armored vehicles, are concentrating manpower and resources along the Pervomaisk–Stakhanov–Bryanka stretch. Additional militant units are continuing to transfer to the area. Measures to conceal movements of weaponry are being observed. Civilians are barred from entering Pervomaisk (except for local registered residents). Terrorists have intensified road patrols. In Stakhanov, recruitment of local residents to newly-established troop units has been stepped up (the Stakhanov employment center is used as a recruitment point). The city’s businesses have been sent letters demanding lists of persons eligible for military service.

Among “DNR” militants, rumors are circulating about a “sharp increase in the number of ISIS fighters” in the Mariupol area who are allegedly arriving from Turkey to participate in the armed conflict in Donbas on the side of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the rumors, Ukrainian troops supported by ISIS fighters are preparing a large-scale offensive to capture Novoazovsk.

Pisky. Screenshot from film 5 Cyborgs.

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.