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)
11.13.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Rumors that a Ukrainian Armed Forces offensive has begun are circulating more insistently amongst “LNR” [“Luhansk People’s Republic”] militants (previously the IR group reported that similar information was circulating in the “Horlivka garrison” of the “DNR” [“Donetsk People’s Republic”] – see yesterday’s report). According to these rumors, individual units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have supposedly already crossed the Siverskyi Donets river (along which runs the demarcation line) near Pionerske in the Stanychno-Luhanskyi district, while ATO [anti-terrorist operation] forces’ tank columns are allegedly moving from the town of Stanytsia Luhanska towards the demarcation line. These rumors have taken on the status of quasi-official information, all “LNR” military units have been put on full combat readiness.

Against the backdrop of this disinformation, militants are actively continuing to fire at ATO forces’ positions; in fact, the increased activity of enemy DRG [sabotage and reconnaissance groups] is observed along the entire demarcation line (in the grey zone and at the front line) as are the attempts of terrorist infantry groups to come almost right up to the advanced positions of the ATO forces. Russian-terrorist forces and materiel also continue to be redeployed in several sectors.

Also noted in several locations on the front line is the appearance of new units of Russian mercenaries (judging by their behavior, they lack combat experience).

West of Viktorivka (south of Donetsk in Volnovakha district) militant mortar batteries opened fire several times on ATO forces’ positions (according to various sources they fired for 40 to 50 minutes). 82-mm 2B9 Vasilek (“Cornflower”) automatic mortar systems were used, at least six hits from 120-mm mortar fire were recorded.

In addition, southeast of Sokilnyky a group of militants fired at ATO forces’ positions near Trokhizbenka from AGS-17 grenade launchers and 82-mm mortars. Near Shchastya, terrorists opened fire twice with AGS-17s, also directing aimed shots from small arms (several sniper teams were involved). Shelling was also conducted in the vicinity of Katerynivka and Krasnohorivka and south of Popasna (Troitskyi district). Militant infantry group manoeuvres were observed from the direction of Zholobok towards the front line beyond the Donetsk [river]. A skirmish between militants and ATO forces was recorded near Zaitseve.

The militants are proving most active west and north-west of Donetsk. Militant infantry and armored groups have been in action near Pisky (including firing from mortars and the on-board weapons of BMP-2 and BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles) and south of the settlement, in the vicinity of the Donetsk International Airport [DAP], and also on the southern outskirts of Avdiivka (in these last two locations, the militants also used ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft systems).

ATO forces’ positions and civilian objects [targets] came under fire in the area of Opytne, Shumy, Mayorsk and Novhorodske (militant groups, supported by three BTR-80 armed personnel carriers and a single BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicle, were spotted south of this last locality).

North-west of the Yasynuvatska junction, militants have concealed at least two tank companies (about 20 tanks) in camouflaged positions. Militant “reinforcement groups” which arrived earlier in the Olenivka – Dokuchajevsk area (see previous IR reports) are playing an active part in the shelling of the positions of the ATO forces. They have been observed using mortars and grenade launchers. One of these terrorist “reinforcement companies” (eight or nine AFVs, mainly MT-LB multi-purpose light-armored transporters, a mortar battery, including at least three 120 mm mortars) advanced to the area north of Hranitne. According to our information, this militant group is due to take up positions between Petrivske and Mykolaivske reservoir in order to carry out fire at Novohnativka, Mykolaivka or Trudivske, thereby pinning down both flanks of the Ukrainian troops (the Starohnativka and Dokuchajevsk groups of the ATO forces).

Makiivka is increasingly turning into a major defense “hub” for the militants’ second echelon. A significant number of armored vehicles (mainly BMP-2s) are observed in the greenery to the west and south of the settlement, while artillery positions are being actively prepared.

Militant reinforcements keep arriving in the Horlivka and Yasynuvata as well as the Holmivskyi–Zaitseve areas, and to the east of this sector (closer to the Svitlodarsk bridgehead). In the past 24 hours, the transfer of at least one terrorist motorized infantry company has been observed (some on BMP-2s, some on MT-LBs – a total of 12 armored combat vehicles, at least two of which had 100 mm MT-12 “Rapier” anti-tank weapons on a trailer). South of Holmivskyi, militants are setting up emplacements for armored vehicles, and are doing it quite openly, digging fortification structures and shelters.

Several new infantry groups totaling up to 600 men have been detected on the coastal direction between Sakhanka and Zaichenko. Four camouflaged tanks were observed west of the Shank – Zaichenko line, the remaining tanks were removed either to Bezimenne – Samsonovo or further off the Novoazovsk – Telmanovo highway (Kozlivka district).

South of Stakhanov, militants transferred two artillery units that included five 122 mm D-30 howitzers and six 122 mm 2S1 “Gvozdika” [Carnation] self-propelled guns.

During the past week, Russian servicemen and mercenaries have been redeployed from positions across from Stanytsia Luhanska (and from some other areas in Luhansk region) deep inside the battle formations of the Russian-terrorist forces. Only militants from among the locals and a small number of so-called “Cossacks” remain at the demarcation line.

On the instructions of “LNR” leader Igor Plotnitskiy, special units and patrol teams have been created from the members of his personal guard and representatives of the “Tax Service.” These units have been assigned to “fight against contraband” on the border with Russia and along the demarcation line on the territory under “LNR” control.

Rumors are circulating in the “LNR” leadership about the impending appointment of Leonid Pasechnik, the “minister of the LNR State Security Ministry,” to a key position in the Russian Federal Security Agency [FSB] in Crimea. The Russian Presidential Administration initiated this appointment. According to these rumors, the appointment of L. Pasechnik to the Russian FSB would also entail the transfer of his close associates from the “Ministry of the LNR State Security.”

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

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)
11.12.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, militants launched attacks against the ATO forces’ positions simultaneously at several points along the demarcation line, using small infantry units – mainly reinforced platoons (30-35 personnel). After being repelled by the Ukrainian troops, terrorists continued firing at ATO positions. Moreover, militants continue actively gathering intelligence on the ATO forces’ combat formations and carrying out sabotage and terrorist actions (attempting to lay mines on the approaches to Ukrainian troops’ strongholds and positions, on connecting pathways, as well as inside the “neutral zone”).

South of Popasna, between Novozvanivka and Troitskyi, three militant infantry groups attacked battlefield security outposts and an ATO forces’ stronghold. The attack was carried out frontally (after one of the groups had first moved covertly into the “neutral zone”) and from the flank. Support for the attackers was provided by a mortar battery (four 82 mm mortars) and at least three AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers.

Militants mounted similar actions near Shumy and Mayorsk. After intense shelling from 82 mm mortars and the on-board weaponry of BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, two groups of militants tried to attack the advanced positions of the ATO forces from the flanks. Concentrated fire from the defending Ukrainian troop units halted the enemy, forcing them to withdraw to their initial positions.

Militants have also been active south of Hranitne (near Mykolaivka, an attempt was made to take up positions in the “neutral zone” under cover of mortar fire); near Mar’inka (enemy infantry groups totaling 100-110 personnel were spotted moving from Oleksandrivka and the Trudivske mine towards the ATO forces’ positions in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka). In separate instances, the movements of enemy armored vehicles were observed (we noted two MT-LB multi-purpose light-armored transporters, including one with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun, and at least three BMP-2s).

Mar’inka and Krasnohorivka are among the most heavily damaged settlements near Donetsk. Photo by ICRC_ua

South of Avdiivka, near the village of Opytne and further north, near the village of Novhorodske, several militant infantry groups tried to get close to the ATO forces’ positions (sometimes to within 150-200 meters) in order to open fire and mount attacks. Terrorists attempted to break into the gap between Avdiivka and Opytne, as well as to circle Dzerzhynsk from the south through Shumy and Novhorodske.

In addition, ATO forces’ positions are frequently coming under fire from militants, especially in the stretch between Mar’inka and the northern outskirts of Horlivka (including Krasnohorivka, Pisky, Donetsk International Airport (DAP), Opytne, Avdiivka, Novoselivka, Troitske, Novhorodske, Shumy and Mayorsk). Positions are also being subjected to weapons fire in the coastal regions (in the area between Hnutove and Sakhanka), as well as near Hranitne, Popasna, on the Krymske–Trokhizbenka stretch, near Shchastya, and between Stanytsia Luhanska and Syze.

The reinforcement of the militants’ “Horlivka garrison” continues. An armored vehicle group consisting of four BMP-2s and two BMP-1s has been transferred to the vicinity of Ozeryanivka (southwestern outskirt of Horlivka). According to the initial reports, a militant tank platoon has redeployed to the same area. An artillery group of brigade strength has been deployed east of Horlivka (nearer to the Luhansk-Donetsk motorway). Terrorists have been busy delivering ammunition to their positions from the Debaltseve area – up to 40 truck loads per 24 hours.

Servicemen of the Russian Federation Armed Forces are on duty at an outlying checkpoint in the Horlivka area. Members of the families of local militants have been seen leaving for Russia. Terrorist leaders have instructed the management of the PJSC [public joint stock company] “Concern Stirol” [chemical complex] to suspend production (temporarily).

Information is being circulated in local militant circles about preparing for a counter-offensive in the Artemivsk direction, in response to the supposed offensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces allegedly scheduled for after 11/15/2015.

Six tanks and at least four BMP-2s have been spotted near Oleksandrivka (east of Mar’inka) in camouflaged positions.

One of the terrorist “reinforcement” groups which we reported earlier (observed south of Donetsk) has already been spotted in the area east of Yasne. The group comprises up to 100 militants, eight BMP-2s and MT-LBs and at least two anti-tank systems.

A militant-reinforced motorized infantry company with up to ten BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, four BTR-80 armored personnel carriers and up to 10 motor vehicles is being transferred from the Proletarskyi district of Donetsk towards Makiivka.

Given the shortfall in financing from the Russian Federation, terrorist leaders in the Donetsk People’s Republic [DNR] have decided on a “temporary restriction” on the payment of one-time injury benefits to local residents and militants, on the pretext of “essential infrastructure rebuilding.” Local residents will now receive UAH 3,000 [USD 130] in the event of a serious injury, UAH 2,000 [USD 87] for light and medium injuries. Members of illegal armed gangs will receive UAH 5,000 [USD 217] and UAH 3,000 [USD 130], respectively (previously, compensation payments to civilians were UAH 5,000 [USD 217], and to members of illegal armed gangs, UAH 10,000 [USD 435]).

Russian Occupation Forces in Donetsk, November 12th, 2015. Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

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)
11.11.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Attacks and provocations by Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas do not stop. Increasingly larger in scale, militants used 82 mm mortars and armored vehicles (infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers). At several sites, terrorists used even 120 mm mortars. In addition, the militants continue to lead active ground and electronic reconnaissance of the combat orders of the Ukrainian troops, to carry out acts of sabotage and attacks to the rear of the ATO forces by the DRG [Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups], as well as attempts to oust units of Ukrainian troops from positions occupied by them in some sections.

In particular, over the past 24 hours the militants fired on the ATO forces’ positions in the vicinity of Shumy and Mayorsk, actively using 82 mm mortars and AGS-17 automatic heavy grenade launchers.

Between Hladosove and Zaitseve, the terrorists tried to oust ATO forces from their positions. Over the past two days, the terrorists have tried to push one of the forward detachments from their position, under massive support from mortars and grenade launchers, operating with 3 infantry groups. From the side of Pionersky and Mykolaivka, the militants fired on ATO positions in the region of Syze and Bolotene, using 82 mm automatic mortars of the type 2B9 “Vasilyek” and from AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers. From the side of Vesela Hora, accurate sniper fire was conducted on the Ukrainian forces positions in the region of Shchastya.

The most active operations were conducted by militants in the north-west and west of Donetsk as well as south of Donetsk (in the area of Hranitne and Starohnativka). The terrorists fired on ATO positions in the region of Pisky, Opytne, Avdiivka (both from the north and south) from mortars (82 mm and 120 mm) as well as from a BTR-80 (12.7 large-caliber heavy machine gun). From the Yasinovata junction, the militants waged constant shelling – virtually for the whole 24-hour period, with short breaks.

ATO positions were fired on from small arms and grenade launchers in the area of Lozove, Hranitne and Starohnativka, also there was sniper fire from the terrorists in the region of Mariinka and Krasnohorivka.

In Donetsk, the militants continue to concentrate heavy armour. To this moment the Information Resistance network has noted the [locations of the] tanks of the terrorists: 7 in Kyivskyi District, 2 in the area of Spartak, 4 in the area of Oleksandrivka (Petrovskyi District). The tanks are camouflaged and spread out over the area.

In the northern part of Horlivka we note the emergence of new detachments of Russian mercenaries numbering 300-320 men in total. The militants in several detachments are in the second echelon, they have transport and armor – no less than 12 armored combat vehicles in total.

In the area of the “Lutuhyne camps” three main “centers” of armor and artillery warehousing are noted. At this moment each “center” contains around 35-40 units of armor, mostly tanks and MT-LB.

A column of militant armor and self-propelled artillery is on the march toward the settlement of Novofedorivka. The convoy includes 6 units of 122 SAU 2C1 “Carnation” self-propelled howitzers, 2 MT-LB and 1 BMP-1.

From the side of Starobesheve and Telmanove the militants have pulled up several tactical support groups into the area of Stil’, Pervomaisk and east of Staromar’ivka. Each tactical support group numbers up to a mechanized infantry company, around 80-90 men and 10-11 units of armor. In total, 24 units of armored combat vehicles have been deployed to the front line in the area from Dokuchajevsk to Hranitne. In addition, the militants are actively setting mines and conducting reconnaissance of the terrain in this area.

As directed by the command of the “2^nd LNR [“Luhansk People’s Republic”] Army Corps,” all militants who are on the front line are having their identity documents confiscated until returning to the place of permanent deployment of their units.

The “LNR” leadership intends to ensure the production of a large batch of ammunition for small arms with increased destructive power at the Luhansk ammunition factory (Luhansk, Pochtovaya street, 1M). A partial start-up of the equipment at the enterprise is planned (around 1/3 of the existing capacity) in order to equip 5.45 x 39 calibre rounds (using the existing stock of cartridges) with bullets with a heat-treated core (product No. 10) in the amount of 5 million pieces. The company’s management is taking steps to attract professionals with expertise in the technology of hardening bullet cores, including those who live on Ukraine-controlled territory.

Horlivka (Nov. 6th): Russian Occupation Forces concealing their tanks in this shed. Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

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