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)
08.14.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Photographs by Noah Brooks, reprinted by permission

Operational data from Information Resistance:

In addition to the intense shelling of the ATO forces positions and civilian objects (including with the use of heavy armaments), Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas are using sabotage and reconnaissance groups (SRG) en masse, on different sections of the front line. The SRG are staffed with military servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces, as well as local militants and Russian mercenaries who have undergone training in “training centers” under Russian Armed Forces instructors. The enemy’s SRGs are particularly active in the vicinity of Avdiivka, Mar’inka, the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, in the coastal areas, and in the Shchastya – Stanytsia Luhanska stretch. In addition to this, the enemy is widely using reconnaissance equipment (aerial drones, electronic intelligence stations, electro-optical equipment).

Over the past 24 hours, terrorists continued carrying out “harassing” fire and purposeful fire strikes. In the area northeast of Horlivka (Kodema – Semyhirya), militants employed a battery of six 152 mm Msta-B guns to make two fire strikes on the ATO forces’ strongholds. Mortars were used to fire on the positions of Ukrainian troops near Novoluhanske – Zaitseve – Dacha. During one of the fire strikes, two militant infantry groups were spotted moving towards the ATO forces’ positions, through the “greenery.” One of the groups opened fire on the positions of the Ukrainian forces battlefield security, while the other attempted to covertly infiltrate the rear of the ATO forces’ stronghold. Both of these groups were stopped and thrown back by Ukrainian troop fire.

Volunteers from Azov Battalion shop for boots in Mariupol. Photo: Noah Brooks.

In the stretch between Avdiivka – Shumy, the enemy used mortars (82 mm and 120 mm), 122 mm artillery (three batteries operating), AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, and ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft units mounted on transport platform.

In the areas of Krasnohorivka – Lozove, and near the settlement of Opytne, the enemy used armored vehicles in addition to artillery (4 tanks and 6 armored combat vehicles), firing from tank guns from positions that were spread out, equipped, and camouflaged.

The maneuvers of enemy infantry groups in the “greenery” were spotted in the vicinity of Mar’inka and Krasnohorivka. Units with 82 mm mortars and AGS-17 grenade launchers were recorded transferring to this area.

Terrorists continue shelling the ATO forces’ positions near Pavlopil, Chermalyk, and Orlivske. In these areas, militants mainly use 120 mm mortars; strikes from 122 mm artillery and BM-21 Grad MLRS were also recorded.

The IR group’s network in this area reports the presence of a powerful militant artillery group, which includes units operating 122 mm cannon artillery, 152 mm 2S19 Msta-C self-propelled guns (six guns), and a battery of BM-21 Grad MLRS. Every day, the enemy uses no more than one or two artillery units from this artillery group, while other units remain on camouflaged positions.

Near the settlements of Starohnativka, Talakivka, Hranitne, and Berezove, the enemy continued carrying out harassing artillery fire during the past 24 hours, and made purposeful powerful artillery strikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops. The enemy mainly used 152 mm artillery; strikes from BM-21 Grad MLRS, 120 mm mortars, and 122 mm artillery were also recorded.

A soldier waiting at a block post behind some trees near Mariupol while continued shelling targets their position. Photo: Noah Brooks

The enemy continues transferring reinforcements to the vicinity of Novolaspa and Starolaspa. Over the past 24 hours, the terrorist battalion already concentrated in this area was joined by a reinforced infantry company (seven armored combat vehicles, including two BMP-2, MT-LB, and BTR-80 armored personnel carriers), and a tank platoon (4 tanks).

Several militant groups operating BM-21 Grad MLRS (2-3 units in each, up to 10 systems in total) were spotted maneuvering. These groups had previously fired on the settlements of Opytne, Vodyane, Pisky, and the Kyivskyi district of Donetsk.

Reinforcements were recorded arriving for the militants’ artillery group in the “Horlivka Garrison.” Additional three D-30 howitzers, escorted by two BTR-80 APCs were transferred to this area.

Militants continue “combat training” near Lutuhyne (in the so-called “Lutuhyne Camps“). In the context of “preparing for repelling the Ukrainian troop offensive,” a large portion of the “field center” personnel and combat equipment  (10-11 tanks and at least 14 other armored combat vehicles) has transferred to an area north of Luhansk. At this time, a militant motorized rifle unit, reinforced by an artillery battery, is practicing inter-unit cooperation organization in the “training center.”

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)
08.13.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Photographs by Noah Brooks, reprinted by permission

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Attacks by Russian-terrorist troops continue intensifying in Donbas, including with the use of heavy weapons (2/3 of the attacks were recorded in the Donetsk oblast). Throughout the day, terrorists increased the use of rocket artillery. Simultaneously, on many sections of the front line, the enemy is engaging in active intelligence efforts (aerial, land, and electronic reconnaissance), conducted by formations of local militants and Russian mercenaries, as well as units of the Russian armed forces.

During the day, the enemy carried out massive attacks from 120 mm mortars on the areas of Verkhnotoretske, Troitske, Novhorodske, and Leninske, trying to inflict fire damage on the ATO forces’ advanced units west of Horlivka.

Militants also used 82 mm and 120 mm mortars to fire on the positions of Ukrainian troops northeast of Pisky and in the area of Avdiivka (on the southern and northern outskirts of the settlement).

The enemy fired on the ATO forces’ positions from 122 mm artillery in the area between Lozove and Krasnohorivka, and the Opytne – Vodyane stretch.

The ATO forces’ stronghold in the area of Krasnohorivka was shelled with BM-21 Grad MLRS (multiple rocket launching systems). Overall, during the past day, militants have made a series of fire strikes using rocket artillery (122 mm BM-21 Grad MLRS) on the positions of Ukrainian troops, namely in the area between Vodyane and Opytne (and in the vicinity of the latter), in the area of Pisky, and between the settlements of Novhorodske and Troitske.

Photo: Noah Brooks

The strengthening of Russian-terrorist troops continues on the right flank of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead. In the area of Holmivskyi, Zaitseve, and Novoluhanske, the enemy, has repeatedly made attempts to covertly move their advanced infantry groups into the “greenery” in the neutral zone (under heavy cover fire of 82 mm and 120 mm mortars), trying to move within the effective range of fire of the ATO forces’ advanced units. After several brief small arms attacks, the enemy quickly retreated to their original lines. On two occasions, the enemy in this area also opened fire from 152 mm artillery.

After a brief pause, militants renewed their activity in the area of Krymske and Novotoshkivka. In particular, during the day, terrorists made multiple attacks in the vicinity of checkpoint N29, opening fire from the “greenery” with small arms and hand grenades. Near Krymske, one of the ATO forces’ strongholds was shelled by mortars. In the area of Popasna, militant infantry groups have been actively attempting to approach the advanced units of the ATO forces, moving through the “greenery” and trying to position themselves within effective fire range for subsequent attacks.

Near Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska, “traditional” attacks were observed, as terrorists used small arms and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers.

During the last 24 hours, the enemy used armored vehicles on three occasions:

•  In the area of Mar’inka, several shots were fired from tank guns using HE shells, at the advanced positions of the ATO forces (an armored group with two militant tanks and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles in the first line);

• Near Opytne and DAP [Donetsk Airport Terminal], a previously recorded armored group of terrorists continues to operate. 2 tanks and 3 armored combat vehicles opened fire from pre-equipped firing positions;

The “Karpatska Sich” battalion keeps an eye on the Donetsk airport. Photo: Karpatska Sich FB

• Near Starohnativka, Bila Kamyanka, and Novolaspa, several militant tanks and AFVs [armored fighting vehicles] (6 units in total) opened long-range fire from on-board weaponry on the ATO forces units that had gained a foothold in this area.

The enemy used 152 mm artillery and 120 mm mortars to deliver virtually uninterrupted artillery fire on the ATO forces positions and towns in the Stepne – Berezove stretch, in the vicinity of Starohnativka and Hranitne, as well as the southeast of Dokuchajevsk.

An Azov Battalion volunteer in a firefight with separatists near Mariupol. Photo: Noah Brooks.

Russian-terrorist formations are stepping up their activity in the coastal direction, having shelled the positions of Ukrainian troops near Chermalyk and southwest of Pavlopil from 152 mm and 122 mm artillery.

The enemy continues actively regrouping and transferring personnel and combat equipment.

In the Novolaspa direction, militants completed the formation of two composite artillery groups (each up to a division in strength), totaling 22 cannon artillery guns (122 mm and 152 mm), eight 2S1 “Gvozdika” and 2S3 “Akatsiya” self-propelled guns, and eight Grad MLRS. One of the artillery groups is positioned south of Komsomolske, while the other one is being deployed in the vicinity of Krasnopillya – Kamyanka.

A composite mortar squad (twelve 82 mm and 120 mm mortars) has been redeployed from Donetsk towards the southern areas.

An armored group has been transferred towards Vesela Hora from the direction of Luhansk. It includes tanks (at least two of them T-72) and MT-LB trucks, up to 10 units in total.

The enemy continues reinforcing their tactical group operating in the coastal direction. Two tactical groups have been transferred to the area of Sakhanka (55-60 personnel in one, 90-100 in the other). The groups also include six armored vehicles (mainly APCs and MT-LB), as well as several jeeps and off-road vehicles, while most militants are being transported on board of army trucks.

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.