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)
07.17.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continued actively firing on the ATO forces positions and civilian objects in ways that prevent the OSCE from recording violations of the Minsk Agreements. The main activity – up to two or three shellings – takes place in the evening or at night (when OSCE patrols are virtually absent). In shelling, terrorist use heavy weapons – artillery of a caliber greater than 100 mm, 120 mm mortars and armored vehicles.

At the same time, we have observed escalation of terrorist-sabotage activity (“small-scale warfare”) by militants in the tactical and operational-tactical rear of the ATO forces. During the past day, several enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups (mostly consisting of special forces units of the GRU of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces) were performing combat missions in the Ukrainian forces’ rear flanks. Militants’ sabotage and reconnaissance groups are actively laying minefields and “hunting” for lone Ukrainian servicemen or supply vehicles travelling without an armed escort.

To the west of Donetsk (along the line Mar’inka – Krasnohorivka – Pisky – Opytne – Avdiivka – Shumy), terrorists continue virtually uninterrupted fire from various weapons, and make active use of armored vehicles and tanks. In the area of the settlement of Opytne, militants fired from 120 mm mortars and used 122 mm artillery nearer to Avdiivka. Near the settlements of Krasnohorivka and Pisky, shelling by militant tanks and ZU-23-2s artillery guns was noted.

Enemy sniper groups continue operating in the vicinity of ​​Mar’inka and Krasnohorivka (brick factory), firing on the ATO forces’ positions from the cover of greenery.

Aerial views of Shyrokyne, before and after Kremlin’s “liberation.” Photo: social media

In the coastal region (near Shyrokyne and between Hnutove and Talakivka), terrorists fired using small arms. The use of 82 mm mortars by militants was also recorded.

Near the settlement of Shchastya, the enemy continues to carry out armed provocations and spontaneous attacks. They are also attempting to infiltrate the Ukrainian troops’ rear by dispatching sabotage and reconnaissance units en masse. In this sector, the militants actively use AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers for attack, as well as to provide cover fire for infiltrating sabotage and reconnaissance units.

In the past day, terrorists carried out repeated fire strikes on Novotoshkivka and Krymske using 122 mm artillery (mainly targeting the ATO strongholds).

Terrorists brought in six tanks and four armored fighting vehicles (three BMP-2 and one MT-LB) to the vicinity of Donetsk Airport.

Military trucks on the move back and forth today in Donetsk, Ukraine.

The militants are transferring or regrouping artillery in several areas simultaneously:

• Five Gvozdika 2S1 122 mm self-propelled guns moved through Snizhne towards Shakhtarsk – Ilovaisk (the convoy also included one BMP-1, two MT-LB, and 4 trucks);

• east of Panteleimonivka (the Panteleimonivka – Korsun – Shevchenko triangle), Information Resistance operatives noted the appearance of six batteries of 122 mm D-30 howitzers, as well as an artillery command and control station;

• A battery of Grad BM-21 122 mm MLRS has been transferred to Horlivka;

• Militants have deployed artillery troop units in the vicinity of ​​Perevalsk and Frunze (Bakhmut highway): three Akatsiya 2S3 152-mm self-propelled guns, and three Grad BM-21 122 mm MLRS systems;

• In the area of Dokuchajevsk and Styla, militants are preparing firing positions for the artillery of the Russian-terrorist tactical group operating in the area. Currently, the artillery units themselves are located to the east of the Mospyne – Komsomolske line (one artillery unit, three batteries – five 122 mm or 152 mm self-propelled guns, eight D-30 cannon artillery units, and eight Grad BM-21 MLRS systems).

Sunflower memorial in Amsterdam for the victims of flight MH17 downed in the fields of eastern Ukraine 1 year ago today. Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
07.16.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops continue increasing the intensity of shelling on ATO forces’ positions and civilian objects, and carry out armed provocations directly on the demarcation line. Illegal armed gangs are increasingly frequently using armored vehicles, as well as 122 mm and 152 mm caliber artillery systems which, according to the Minsk Agreements, should have been withdrawn.

The consequences of militants’ shelling in Avdiivka, on Lenin Street (click on images to enlarge). Source

In the Donetsk sector, in the areas of Pisky, Opytne, and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka, terrorists used 122 mm and 152 mm artillery and armored vehicles for shelling, at short intervals. Shellings and provocations by militants were continuous between Krasnohorivka and the northern outskirts of Horlivka.

North of Krasnohorivka, as well as in the area of Pisky, Russian-terrorist troops employed several armored groups (consisting of 4-5 tanks and the same number of armored combat vehicles) to fire on the positions of Ukrainian troops. Snipers of illegal armed gangs are operating in the vicinity of Mar’inka.

Two batteries of 152 mm caliber artillery systems positioned near Yenakijeve and Vuhlehirsk shelled the advanced positions of ATO forces. Fire strikes were also made on the settlement of Opytne and the southern outskirts of Avdiivka.

North of Verkhnotoretske, terrorist opened fire several times from the cover of the vegetation, using heavy machine guns and AGS-17 grenade launchers. The ATO forces positions and residential areas of Leninske, Mayorsk, and Mykolaivka were shelled from 82 mm mortars.

In the coastal direction, in the areas of Talakivka and Shyrokyne, militants used small arms and AGS grenade launchers.

In the Luhansk sector, terrorists are shelling the settlements of Schastya, Novotoshkivka, Katerynivka, Zolote, Sokilnyky, and Trokhizbenka. We recorded the use of Grad-P multiple rocket launcher systems, 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, and all types of infantry armaments. Sabotage and reconnaissance groups of both sides are actively operating in the greenery.

Entrance sign to the settlement of Schastya sports multiple bullet craters.

Movements of Russian-terrorist troops:

• Infantry reinforcements were transferred through Mykhailivka in the direction of Alchevsk: four army trucks with terrorists, and a convoy of four BTR-80 APCs and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles;

• On the Bakhmut highway, a militant support convoy of 14 tanker trucks and tented trucks was spotted between Stepove and Smile [Smi-leh];

• Reinforcements continue arriving for the two militant tactical groups operating between Yasynuvata and the Mayorskiy automotive market. Three tanks arrived in Horlivka from the direction of Yenakijeve, after undergoing repairs, as well as two trucks carrying 122 mm unguided missiles for the battery of Grad MRLS operating near Kayutyne;

• In Donetsk, on Shvedova Avenue, we spotted three army trucks carrying ZU-23-2 artillery guns, accompanied by 2 MT-LB trucks, while a convoy of four tanks passed north of Staromykhailivka;

Staromykhailivka, armored Kamaz with mortar. Source.

• Armored equipment of the Russian-terrorist forces is concentrating in the area of the Donetsk Airport (DAP) again, including 20 tanks and ten armored combat vehicles; ammunition  is being delivered for them.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
07.15.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

We are observing a continuous exacerbation of the situation in the ATO zone, with a strong trend towards further deterioration and escalation of the armed conflict. The shellings by Russian terrorist forces are growing in intensity and density. Insurgents continue making active use of heavy armaments (120 mm mortars, 122 mm and 152 mm artillery, and armored vehicles) to shell positions and strongholds of Ukrainian troops, as well as settlements under their [Ukrainian] control.

The enemy is attempting to scout out the disposition of Ukrainian forces along several sections of the demarcation line, by using sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate the tactical rear of the Ukrainian troops, and, in some cases, by engaging in skirmishes with the ATO forces using small infantry units (up to a reinforced platoon in strength). Along several sections of the demarcation line, terrorists are trying to trigger a “sniper war,” as several insurgent sniper groups simultaneously are attempting to seize and retain the fire initiative.

Over the past 24 hours, terrorists repeatedly used 152 mm and 122 mm artillery, as well as 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, to shell the positions of Ukrainians troops and strongholds along the Pisky – Opytne – Vodyane – Avdiivka line.  Several fire strikes were made directly on the settlements of Avdiivka and Vodyane. Pisky population’s private housing portion has been reduced to ruins, while shelling continues. In this area, the enemy shelling is virtually permanent [continuous], as the enemy uses different weapons (alternatively or simultaneously) in an effort to engage the advanced units of the ATO forces.

North of Avdiivka (between Novhorodske and Novoselivka), small insurgent infantry groups (up to a platoon in strength) have repeatedly attempted to approach the advanced ATO positions during the past 24 hours. After the advanced units of Ukrainian troops opened fire, the enemy forces fell back to their original positions.

North of Pisky, a Russian-terrorist armored group (two tanks and three BTR-80 APCs), operating under the cover fire of 120 mm mortars, advanced to concealed firing positions in order to shell the advanced ATO forces positions from 125 mm tank guns. Both insurgent tanks, upon arriving within effective firing range, fired high explosive and subcaliber armor-piercing shells. The enemy tanks’ advance was also assisted by the accompanying APCs that created a heavy fire cover using standard armaments (heavy-caliber machine guns), so as to prevent Ukrainian units from using their anti-tank weaponry (AT guided missiles, SPG-9 Kopye [“Spear”] mounted anti-tank grenade launcher). After the shelling, the enemy armored group withdrew to its original positions. Later, the same insurgent heavy armored group carried out a similar operation near the settlement of Opytne.

During the past 24 hours, the enemy repeatedly opened fire from 122 mm artillery guns and 120 mm and 82 mm mortar shells on the ATO forces’ positions near Troitske, Novoselivka and Novhorodske.

Several professionally trained sniper terrorist groups operate in the vicinity of Mar’inka, Shyrokyne, Schastya and the Krymske area. In each of these areas, the enemy is deftly using the terrain features when choosing firing positions.

Near the settlement of Starohnativka, insurgents opened fire several times from the greenery in the “neutral zone,” mainly using small arms, as well as AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars [to provide cover] when their firing units had to change position.

Near Luhanske and Mironivske, terrorists fired 120 mm and 82 mm mortars at several positions of the ATO forces simultaneously. Insurgents also employed a standard 125 mm tank gun (from long range). Enemy forces are resorting to these shellings in an attempt to prevent the surveillance efforts of the ATO forces while the first echelon of Russian-terrorist troops is undergoing rotation in this area.

Near the settlements of Krymske, Sokilnyky, Shchastya, and Stanytsia Luhanska, insurgents mainly conducted “harassment shelling” while trying to provoke a return of fire from the Ukrainian side, in order to identify the firepower of the ATO forces at the front line. Enemy observers repeatedly took positions in the vegetation close to the Ukrainian positions. During the shellings, the enemy mostly used small arms and AGS-17 grenade launchers, as well as 82 mm mortars; near Shchastya, insurgents opened fire from a 30 mm automatic cannon mounted on a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle.

A troop unit numbering 200-220 personnel was seen arriving in Luhansk. This unit is part of the special GRU brigade of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. The unit was split up into groups and deployed in several districts of Luhansk.

KAMAZ trucks with Russian military servicemen seen arriving in Luhansk. Photo by Oleg Novikov.

We also noted a transfer of terrorist armored vehicles and artillery to an area north of Rovenky, including ten armored combat vehicles (BMD-2, BTR-80A / 82A, and one BTR-D paratrooper armored personnel carrier), and three 120 mm 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled artillery guns.

Combat equipment continues concentrating around Mospyne, joining the “brigade” deployed in this area. At the same time, some of the combat equipment (six tanks and four BMP-2 infantry fightng vehicles) has been moved further north, towards the southern section of the Donetsk Kiltseva highway [ring road].

Insurgent “reinforcements” arrived to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk by road (on board of tented trucks, minibuses, and buses) – over 500 personnel in total. Judging by their behavior, these insurgents are not “battle hardened.”

A battery of insurgent D-30 howitzers has been transferred from Horlivka to Vuhlehirsk, together with a mortar unit (operating a total of six “Vasilyok” 2B9 mortars). Two MT-LB trucks and two BTR-70 APCs were also spotted among the convoy.

O July 15th, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian peacekeepers. For 20 years, more than 35 thousand Ukrainian peacekeepers – including members of Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry – have taken part in international peacekeeping operations under the aegis of the UN, OSCE and NATO in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Cote d ‘Ivoire, Sudan, Georgia, the former Yugoslavia and other countries. Peacekeepers, we salute you! Source

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB