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)
08.07.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Photographs by Noah Brooks, reprinted by permission

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue actively shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops, as well as civilian objects, including the use of heavy armaments in a number of areas. At the same time, an increase is observed in the number of terrorist shellings with the use of small arms, which are recorded practically along the entire demarcation line.

The most intense shellings by militants were recorded to the west and northwest of Donetsk, in areas south of Donetsk (Berezove, Hranitne), in the vicinity of Horlivka, near the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, in the seaside areas, as well as in the area from  Zolote and Orikhove to Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska. Units of Russian-terrorist troops are also highly active between the settlements of Novomykhailivka and Peremoha, in the vicinity of Krasnohorivka, Lozove, southeast of Pisky, near Opytne and Vodyane, south and north of Avdiivka, and in the vicinity of Troitske, Shumy, and Leninske.

After a rocket attack outside Mariupol, eastern Ukraine. Photo: Noah Brooks. Source

In particular, the militants have deployed 120 mm mortars in the area of Novomykhailivka, southeast of Mar’inka, and in the vicinity of Pisky, Opytne, Avdiivka, and Leninske. Armored vehicles advanced towards the ATO forces’ positions several times, under cover of mortar fire – two tanks fired on the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops near Pisky for 20 minutes; one tank and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles shelled the ATO positions near Opytne for 30 minutes (during this shelling, two 125 mm munitions fired by the militants’ tank detonated in the settlement of Vodyane).

Terrorists deployed 122 mm artillery for brief fire strikes against the ATO forces’ strongholds near Troitske, between the Horlivka – Artemivsk motorway (in the area of Kurdyumivka – Zelenopillya), and on the positions near Hranitne. Two strikes were also made on Krasnohorivka.

In the vicinity of Avdiivka, the ATO forces were shelled from 122 mm and 152 mm artillery, and 120 mm mortars. On the first line (closer to Yasynuvata), a terrorist tank group was spotted maneuvering (without opening fire).

In the area of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, militants used mortars (82 mm and 120 mm) against the advanced ATO positions near Popasna and Luhanske; AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers were deployed against the positions of Ukrainian troops south of Svitlodarsk.

A terrorist armored group (3 tanks) was operating in the vicinity of Shchastya, supported by 82 mm mortars from the direction of Vesela Hora. The armored group shelled the settlement of Shchastya, with advance and retreat of the armored vehicles being supported by AGS-17 grenade launchers. During combat, several militant infantry groups were spotted moving towards and along the demarcation line. These enemy groups opened fire against the ATO forces’ advanced positions, in a number of instances.

Pieces of artillery and mortar shells in East Ukraine after “separatists” shelled Ukrainian positions. (Sea shells in Shyrokyne). Photo: Noah Brooks. Source

A group of “specialists from Russia” has emerged in Luhansk, focused on organizing contraband supplies of food from Ukraine-controlled territory. The group includes 16 people, including 3 women; they are predominantly representatives of the FSB and other Russian authorities. This group has no permanent dislocation, takes special effort to avoid attracting attention (the group members are dressing to look like “local militants”), are moving around aboard two Volkswagen T-4 minibuses with tinted windows (without license plates), two Tiger GAZ-2330 armored combat vehicles, and a “civilian” jeep. Members of these group are reportedly questioning the “LNR” [Luhansk People’s Republic] “businessmen” and “officials” involved in smuggling for information about any corrupt Ukrainian military servicemen (officials in commanding authorities, as well as members of private corps at checkpoints) who are participating in contraband schemes (possibly, to recruit them in the future under threat of blackmail). The local “Ministry of state defense” has been ordered to “provide extensive cooperation” to this group without interfering in its activities. The commanders of the group are in regular contact with the “LNR” leadership, while some of the group members are regularly visiting the “front line.” A similar special group from Russia has been spotted in Donetsk.

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)
08.06.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue to actively shell both the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops and civilian objects, using small arms, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm artillery, and armored vehicles.

During the last 24 hours, terrorists used six groups of armored vehicles (including tanks):

• In the area of Donetsk airport and the settlement of Opytne, two armored groups were observed (one group included three tanks, six IFVs and APCs, and the other group – two tanks and up to 10 IFVs and APCs). These armored groups fired on the positions of ATO forces from dispersed firing positions in the dark;

• Two more armored groups of militants operate in the vicinity of Mar’inka (one group includes at least eight tanks, another – two tanks);

• In the area of Hranitne an armored group operates on the first line – up to a tank company [in size] (5-6 tanks operating on the forefront) and about 10 ACVs (mainly BMP-2). A short shelling from two tanks and a BMP-2 (30 mm automatic cannon) from the greenery was observed in this area ;

• Another armored group (up to a tank company in size, 6-7 tanks) operates in the area of the  Svitlodarsk springboard from the direction of Luhanske and Myronivske. In this area, terrorists usually operate armored vehicles in combinations of “tanks + mortars.”

During the last 24 hours, the following armed confrontations were observed:

• In the vicinity of Troitske and south of Verkhnotoretske the enemy made two attempts to infiltrate ATO forces’ combat formations using two infantry groups (each up to a reinforced platoon in size, about 28-30 persons) under cover of 120 mm mortars. The enemy was driven back to its original positions by [the] return fire [of Ukrainian troops];

• In the area of Chermalyk – Mykolayivka, the enemy followed the same scenario. A militant infantry group went into the greenery and then attempted to move closer to the positions of Ukrainian troops under cover of mortar fire by pretending to launching an intrusion to divert attention from its sabotage and reconnaissance group, which at that time was attempting infiltration on a neighboring/an adjacent site. After return fire, the infantry group and the sabotage and reconnaissance group of militants retreated to the starting line.

In the coastal areas (the area between Chermalyk – Mykolaivka), terrorists actively operate with several infantry groups from the greenery in the neutral zone, with support fire from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery, trying to get closer to the positions of the ATO forces at a distance of effective fire. Militant use of AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and ZU-23-2 mobile antiaircraft systems on transport platforms was observed in the area.

South of Donetsk (in the area of Berezove, Hranitne, and Staromariyvka), [Russia-backed] militants continue their armed provocations, trying to identify the configuration and firepower in the defense system of Ukrainian troops. In particular, the militants carry out short raids in the area from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, 122 mm artillery, and use small groups of armored vehicles (2-3 tanks, 3-4 BBMs), trying to provoke return fire in order to determine the locations of firepower, and the engineering installations of the ATO forces.

Most of the terrorist shelling and armed provocations are carried out in a wide area from Mar’inka up to the northwestern outskirts of Horlivka. In fact, in this entire bend, militants carry out fire strikes in a permanent mode, using various means of destruction.

During the past 24 hours, the enemy used its artillery batteries from positions in the vicinity of Yasynuvata and Spartak and fired from 122 mm and 152 mm artillery at the positions of Ukrainian troops to the southwest of Avdiivka, in its northern outskirts, near Opytne, Vodyane, and to the northeast of Pisky. Terrorists fired from 120 mm and 82 mm mortars in the area of Krasnohorivka, Lozove, Leninske, and Shumy.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Training grounds of Russian-backed militants in Karlo-Marksove [Donetsk region]. Source: Yuriy Kasyanov and Army SOS.

Terrorists opened fire, from 82 mm mortars 2B9 “Vasilek” and 120-mm mortars, onto the positions of the ATO forces in the vicinity of Kurdyumivka and Zelenopillya. Following the recent fire raid on Svitlodarsk and the Vuhlehirsk thermal power plant, the enemy periodically conducts “harassing” fire from small arms, AGS-17, anti-tank grenade launchers, and 82 mm mortars in the area (a similar pattern is observed in the area of Luhanske, Popasna, Zolote).

The enemy is gradually increasing the number of troops and military equipment in several locations simultaneously – the area of ​​Stakhanov – Pervomaisk – Kirovsk (the regrouping of armored vehicles was recorded), troops and artillery are transferred to the area of Zhelobok – Frunze, and also in the vicinity of Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska (near Khrystove and Obozne).

In the coastal areas, two large terrorist military equipment bases were created in Sakhanka (23-25 ​​vehicles, including 8 tanks) and Bezimenne (up to 30 combat vehicles, including 11-12 tanks). According to the IR group, these actions by Russian-terrorist troop command call for the special attention of the Ukrainian military and political leadership in the context of the “demilitarization of Shyrokyne.”

According to updated data, a militant combat training battalion is currently deployed near Mospyne. [The battalion] includes a reinforced consolidated tank company (up to 15 tanks of various modifications of T-64 and T-72) and 22 other vehicles, which corresponds to the typical range of weapons of a Russian Armed Forces infantry battalion. The unit is supplied through Starobesheve and Ilovaisk.

Between Lutuhyne and Novofedorivka, six 152-mm 2S3 “Akatsiya” self-propelled guns and four transport and loading vehicles were recorded on march. The convoy maintained disguise on the march and drove off the roads in the dark. While in the deep rear, the battery moved with combat outposts – three BTR-80 with infantry in armored vehicles.

During the last 24 hours, militants transferred four trailers with T-72B tanks, four BTR-80, two BMP-1, two BMP-2, four BTR-80A, two BMP-97 “Vystrel,” a GAS-2330 “Tigr,” and three BRDM-2 to the area of Luhansk from the direction of Krasnodon.

In Horlivka, Yenakijeve, and Makiivka, the “DNR” leadership is actively conducting recruitment and propaganda work among the taxi drivers, transport companies, and private contractors to draw them into the ranks of the “DNR army” as cargo drivers. They are promised a guaranteed income and a “high status as a DNR Army serviceman.”

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
Images source: Yuriy Kasyanov 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)
08.05.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops (RTT) in Donbas continue to carry out active shellings of the advanced positions, command posts, and bases of Ukrainian troops and civilian objects by using artillery (122 mm and 152 mm), 120 mm mortars, and armored vehicles.

Most of the terrorist attacks and armed provocations were recorded in the western and north-western outskirts of Donetsk, Horlivka, and west of Yasynuvata.

Thus, during the last 24 hours, militants have repeatedly carried out attacks on the positions of ATO forces north of Novhorodske and near the village itself, in the vicinity of Leninske and Artemove from 120 mm mortars and 122 mm artillery. Spotters of Russian-terrorist forces were observed within close range of the shellings.

The positions of Ukrainian troops  in the area of Lozove, Vodyane, Opytne, and in the area north of Avdiivka were shelled from 122 mm artillery (in addition, residential areas in Avdiivka were also repeatedly shelled from 122 mm and 152 mm artillery.

Photo: Sergei Loiko

In the area of Mar’inka, Opytne and Vodyane, the activities of several groups of enemy armored vehicles were recorded. In the area of Mar’inka, from the direction of Oleksandrivka, an armored group (two tanks and one BMP-2) was operating – shelling ATO positions from the “greenery,”advancing and leaving firing positions under cover of 82 mm mortars (tank guns made 5-6 shots each, and a BMP [infantry fighting vehicle] fired to provide cover).

In the area of Opytne, the enemy moved several armored vehicles (two T-64B tanks) to firing positions in the “greenery” in advance, after dark. Following additional reconnaissance, insurgents opened fire from their tank guns, after which the tanks retreated to their original line of defense in the depths of the RTT [Russian terrorist troops].

The positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Pervomaiske were shelled from 152 mm artillery. The enemy shelled the positions [of Ukrainian troops] near Vodyane, Pisky, and Opytne with 120 mm mortars (mainly aiming at shelters, blindages, and trenches).

In the area of Berezove and Hranitne, the enemy repeatedly opened fire from small arms, 82 mm mortars, AGS-17, and several times used ZU-23-2. The regrouping of RTT infantry groups was spotted along the front in this sector.

In the coastal area in the section between Sakhanka and Shyrokyne, several firefights with small arms were observed. To the north of this area, near Chermalyk and Mykolaivka, the enemy moved mortars to the front line (both 82 mm and 120 mm [calibers]) – at minimum, three firing positions of militant mortar units were observed (overall – up to six 82 mm mortars and about eight 120 mm mortars).

On the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, militants carry out attacks from small arms and AGS-17. On the bridgehead’s flank, from the direction of Luhansk, militants regrouped armored vehicles outside of Kalynove, south of Rozsadky, and in the area between Pervomaisk and Zolote (to the northwest of Kirovsk). The [exact] number of armored vehicles is currently being determined. Beyond the Popasna – Stakhanov highway in the area between Irmino and Kirovsk, the transfer of a tank group, in the northward direction – up to five vehicles – was observed.

In the area between Novhorodske and Leninske an attempt by an enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group (10-12 people) to infiltrate ATO forces’ battle formations was observed. Discovered by a combat outpost of Ukrainian troops, the sabotage and reconnaissance group was forced to retreat to its original line after a firefight.

In the area of Novotoshkivka and Krymske, militants fired from 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, and carried out ‘harassing fire’ from small arms. In the wide area from Popasna to Stanytsia Luhanska, along both banks of the Seversky Donets [river], a “warfare of small groups” continues – a large number of terrorist sabotage and reconnaissance groups and raid teams was observed.

In Donetsk, the transfer of terrorist mortar units (three 120 mm and two 82 mm mortars) was spotted along the “frontline” on Shvedov Avenue towards the northeast.

In the area of ​​Prymorske, terrorists deployed and disguised their artillery. Two batteries (a 6-weapon [battery] of 122 mm D-30 howitzers, and a four 152 mm 2A65 “MSTA-B” [battery]) were observed.

Between Sverdlovsk and Rovenky, two tactical groups of Russian troops were observed. One [group] is staffed by the Russian Airborne Forces (composed of two 120 mm 2S9 “Nona-S” airborne self-propelled guns, four BTR-D and six BMD-2). The second [group] included two BMR-1K combat reconnaissance vehicles, two BMP-2, four army trucks, and two jeeps.

The transfer of agricultural vehicles and equipment is conducted from Russia to the areas controlled by the “DNR” and “LNR” [Donetsk- and Luhansk People’s Republics]. The transfer of agricultural vehicles was observed in Amvrosiivka, Krasnodon, and Rovenky. Harvesting is underway in the southern occupied areas of Luhansk region; the presence of Russian experts was observed.

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.