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)
12.11.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance – the sociopolitical situation in the occupied regions of Donbas:

Under the instruction of their Russian supervisors, leaders of the illegal armed gangs in the Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] have been prohibited from issuing reports (used for calculating the bonuses paid to participants in military operations) that disclose the artillery strikes made on Ukrainian troop positions and targets under Ukrainian control.

* * * * *

Deputies of the “People’s Council of the DNR” have submitted a proposal to their Russian supervisors for the creation of an “industrial outpost” to protect and promote the Russian Federation’s interests on occupied Donetsk oblast territory. In view of the “DNR’s” industrial potential and pool of skilled labor, the Russian side has received a proposal for the establishment of a special industrial zone, serving as an example of the “benefits” and “superiority” of the “self-proclaimed republic’s” relationship with Russia. Discussions are currently under way to set up a military-industrial corporation that would unite the “DNR’s” high-tech enterprises, while virtually all of its assets would be under Russian control.

Meanwhile, the equipment at Luhanskteplovoz [Luhansk Diesel Locomotive Plant] is being removed and sold for scrap metal. Source

* * * * *

Rail freight movements from the “Luhansk People’s Republic [LNR]” through the “Debaltseve” railway station have been banned since late November. According to data received by the IR group, the “DNR” ban came about because the management of the “Donetsk Railways” state enterprise contested the formation of the “LNR’s” own railway sector enterprise (“Luhansk Railways”) announced back in May of 2015. If coal shipments from “LNR” territory to Ukrainian thermal power plants were to resume, their delivery could be blocked by a continuation of the ban.

* * * * *

Due to their failure to pay the “LNR’s” so-called state budget “tax,” the “LNR” leader, Ihor Plotnitsky has prohibited the “Alchevsk Metallurgical Plant” Public Joint Stock Company from shipping its output by rail.

* * * * *

The “LNR” leader, Ihor Plotnitsky, has instructed the “LNR Ministry of Political Information” to ensure wide public awareness of the results of the “LNR” leader’s work, and that of the foundations headed by his wife (“Slavyanskaya Shchedrost” [Slavic Generosity] and “Dobrotolyubiya” [Goodness Above All]). At the same time, he emphasized the need for harsher media criticism of the work of both the “LNR parliamentary deputies” and of certain ministers.

* * * * *

The mass deportation of Ukrainian citizens from Russia, formerly resident in Donbas, has noticeably deteriorated the social situation in the “DNR/LNR.” Inhabitants of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, forced to return from Russia, have found their homes “legally” occupied by militants, in reality making them homeless. The serious conflicts flaring due to these circumstances have recently been on the rise.

* * * * *

The Russian supervisors of “DNR” leader Oleksander Zakharchenko have warned him that the leaders of the Russian Federation are worried about “wholesale sabotage” and extensive corruption in the “DNR’s” top ranks. In particular, Zakharchenko is accused of attempting to personally control all financial flow within the “DNR” by any possible means, including the threat of physical violence, and the arrest of “DNR officials.” Zakharchenko’s behavior is considered unacceptable by Moscow.

Ukrainian Army in Donetsk. Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems

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)
12.10.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas are actively continuing to fire on the ATO forces’ positions, using artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems [MLRS] and the on-board weaponry of heavy armored vehicles.

Namely, similarly to the previous 24 hours, militants carried out fire strikes with BM-21 “Grad” MLRS in the Mar’inskyi district of Donetsk oblast. The MLRS positions were, as in the previous instance, located in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk.

At the same time, new militant manpower and resources, including artillery and armored fighting vehicles, were observed transferring to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk. A ten-strong column of heavy armor (including four BTR-80s) from the militant repair base in Snizhne arrived in Donetsk.

During the past 24 hours, the enemy used tanks: in particular, in areas north of Avdiivka, in the vicinity of Krasnyi Partizan, where tanks arrived from the area of Panteleimonivka. Two terrorist tanks took up positions prepared in advance; one fired six rounds of high-explosive fragmentation (OF) shells in the direction of the ATO forces’ positions in front of Novoselivka Druha [Novoselivka-2], then four more rounds towards Verkhnotoretske. The second tank did not open fire (it was there to provide cover). Then both tanks retreated to the residential quarter of Krasnyi Partizan.

In addition to this, militants near Shyrokyne used 122 mm artillery. This is the second instance of the use of 122 mm caliber cannon artillery by terrorists in the past week.

Militants also opened fire:

• on a stretch near Donetsk from positions in the village of Vesele and positions along the Chervonoarmiiske Highway (south-west of the “Volvo-Center-Donetsk” auto center). During the past 24 hours, militants opened heavy fire several times, using automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns (two BTR-80 armored personnel carriers were also used). The terrorists also resorted to 120 mm mortars (at least two).

• near Krasnohorivka from the direction of Staromykhailivka, with 82 mm mortars and small arms.

• on ATO forces’ positions southeast of Luhansk, from the Svitlodarsk high grounds and Nyzhnje Lozove, using heavy machine guns, the on-board weaponry of a BMP-2, and 82 mm mortars.

• on positions near Opytne (from Donetsk International Airport (DAP) and Spartak with 82 mm mortars and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers), Mar’inka (an infantry group from the neutral zone attacked with automatic small arms and hand grenades), on positions northwest of Avdiivka, and near the H20 motorway (fire came from Kruta Balka, with 82-mm mortars and at least two ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft cannons).

• near Zhovanka-Zaitseve with 82 mm mortars, small arms and AGS-17s;

• from heavy machine guns on positions near elevation 175.9 (the area of Bakhmut motorway, southwest of Sokilnyky).

• near Shyrokyne in the coastal region, where a militant infantry group supported by a sniper unit fired at an ATO forces’ stronghold.

Militants from northern areas transferred an infantry group with four armored fighting vehicles (three BMP-s2 and one BTR-70) to the vicinity of Ozeryanivka (near Horlivka). In Horlivka itself, raids continue as the “Ministry of State Security [MGB] of the DNR” and militants of the “1st DNR Army Corps” are looking for Ukrainian “insiders and saboteurs.” Rumors are rapidly circulating among the terrorists of the so-called “Horlivka garrison” that “peacemakers” will soon appear in the city (they are most likely referring to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe [OSCE], as earlier the OSCE SMM announced the opening of an observation post in Horlivka).

South of Stakhanov, the transfer continues of a troop unit up to a battalion in strength (the transfer is already into its 3rd day). In the past 24 hours, eight MT-LBs and two Kamaz trucks have been brought towards Bryanka, and nine or ten BBMs to Perevalsk via the Mykhailivska interchange (two MT-LB trailers carried MT-12 antitank guns, and two vehicles in the convoy were BRDM-2 combat reconnaissance patrol vehicles equipped with anti-tank rocket systems). Five militant tanks were also observed on the march towards Lomuvatka.

A group of Russian mercenaries from the Russian Federation (up to 100 personnel) arrived in Novoazovsk, transported on board of four buses. Some of the mercenaries were without weapons.

“The snow is falling and the ground is slippery and wet,
Better run for it, moskals, or the BANDERITES will get you!”

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multipurpose tracked vehicle
MLRS – multiple-launch rocket systems

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)
12.07.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

(See end of post for acronym glossary)

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past weekend (12.05.–12.06.2015), Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continued actively firing on ATO forces’ positions and civilian targets in a number of sectors. Militants used small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, the on-board guns of armored combat vehicles and grenade launchers. Enemy tactical groups made attempts to directly engage ATO units, and to approach advanced Ukrainian troop units to fire at them from an effective small arms range.

The appearance of militant heavy armor (tanks) and artillery at the front line, which had been previously withdrawn according to the Minsk agreements, was noted in several sections simultaneously. At this time, these armaments are not being used (they are camouflaged at front-line positions).

The highest terrorist activity was recorded in the vicinity of Horlivka, as well as west and northwest of Donetsk. During the past 24 hours, militants fired on ATO positions near Krasnohovirka, Pisky, and Avdiivka, as well as along almost the entire contact perimeter between the “Horlivka garrison” and Ukrainian troops (firing was particularly active in the directions of Shumy, Mayorsk, Zaitseve, and east of Zaitseve). Militant activity was also noted in the vicinity of Troitske, Shyrokyne, and Shchastya.

Militants made three attempts to attack the ATO forces’ positions.

Thus, northwest of Staromykhailivka, a terrorist group of up to one platoon in strength (up to 30 personnel), supported by four 82 mm mortars, one ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun, and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (firing from a stationary position), covertly proceeded towards an advanced ATO stronghold in the vicinity of Pisky. After a mortar fire attack, the group attempted to engage the Ukrainian unit in close combat. The covert movement of the militant infantry group was duly spotted by the lookouts of the stronghold’s battlefield security, and the enemy was subject to heavy fire from automatic rifles and machine guns. Following that, militants were forced to fall back to their original line, all the while actively returning fire. During the retreat, the enemy actively fired on ATO forces’ positions from mortars, AGS-17 type automatic stand-mounted grenade launchers, ZU-23-2 and the on-board weaponry of a BMP-2.

Screenshot from Ministry of Defense video (source)

Militants followed a similar scenario south of Novhorodske and in the vicinity of Shumy – Zaitseve. Near Novhorodske, an enemy DRG attempted to infiltrate the ATO forces’  tactical rear under cover of heavy fire on the Ukrainian troop positions (militants fired heavily on strongholds south of Novhorodske throughout Sunday, using small arms, and 82 mm and 120 mm mortars); the resulting skirmish was a firefight. In the vicinity of Shumy – Zaitseve, militants employed several armored combat vehicles (APCs and BMP-2) and operated with relatively large infantry groups (45-50 personnel in each). The assault was “accompanied” by fire from 82 mm mortars, the on-board weapons of ACVs, and ZU-23-2.

The level and manner of organization of these skirmishes demonstrate the lack of foresight and a considerable nervousness in the militant tactical command: terrorist groups often fire unsighted, act in an erratic and “ad hoc” fashion, and make frontal assaults against the battlefield security and positions of Ukrainian troops. The level of coordination of forces and equipment during these attacks and armed provocations is notably low.

The enemy continues growing (reinforcing) their tactical groups concentrated in the vicinity of Horlivka. Further accumulation of forces and equipment in this area can result in the creation of a militant strike group capable of operating in the northern (Artemivsk), northeastern and northwestern directions.

Terrorists also continue reinforcing their units concentrated on the stretch from Spartak and Donetsk International Airport (DAP) to the northern outskirts of Horlivka. A militant armored group (several BMP-2) was spotted transferring to the vicinity of Ozeryanivka. A militant reinforced motorized rifle company (eight ACVs and a mortar battery of six 2B9 82 mm automatic mortars) is concentrated near the Haharina (Hlyboka) mine town. A similar reinforced company was transferred towards the Stroiteley residential estate in [western] Horlivka; four terrorist tanks were recorded south of the area (camouflaged among private residences).

The group deployed along the Novooleksandrivka – Veselohorivka – Sanzharivka line continues receiving reinforcements. Terrorists are covertly transferring personnel (in 25-30 person groups) to this area through Irmino and Stakhanov (Almazny). Six ACVs (MT-LB multi-purpose transporters and BMP-1) arrived in this area during the weekend.

An armored group consisting of six MT-LB and three BMP-1 advanced from the direction of Luhansk towards Stanytsia Luhanska (according to our preliminary data, to provide reinforcements for militant checkpoints).

Two MT-LB transporters with Strela-10 anti-aircraft systems were spotted in the vicinity of Makiivka, transporting to the southern regions.

Screenshot from Ministry of Defense video (source)

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Glossary:
ACV – armored combat vehicle
ATO – Anti-Terrorist Operation
BMP – infantry fighting vehicle
BTR, APC – armored personnel carrier
DNR – “Donetsk People’s Republic”
DRG – sabotage and reconnaissance group
LNR – “Luhansk People’s Republic”
MT-LB – light multirole tracked vehicle

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