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)
07.14.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

The intensity of the shelling by Russian terrorist troops in Donbas is increasing. The terrorists continue to use heavy weapons (122 mm and 152 mm artillery, armored vehicles, 120 mm mortars). The insurgents also continue active reconnaissance efforts in a number of locations; in addition to the persistent attempts of sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate the ATO forces’ tactical rear en masse, we recorded active use of optical-electronic equipment, UAV, and radio intelligence devices.

In the vicinity of Verkhnotoretske, terrorists used 122 mm artillery, attempting to deliver fire strikes on the advanced positions and strongholds of the Ukrainian troops (the training quality of insurgent artillery details is notably low).

The town of Avdiivka was shelled by insurgents from both 122 mm artillery and 120 mm mortars. The bulk of the fire strikes were carried out on residential areas.

Children in Donbas have new toys – RPGs. Photo: Paweł Pieniążek. Source

Permanent [ongoing] shellings of Pisky, Opytne, and areas near to Donetsk Airport (DAP) continue. In these areas the terrorists mostly employed small arms and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers; but we also recorded the use of 120 mm mortars, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft systems, and tank guns. Snipers and groups of the “DNR army special forces” are operating near Mar’inka, staffed with local insurgents who had been trained under instructors of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

The activity of Russian terrorist forces in the neighboring area, from Yasynuvata (including Panteleimonivka) to Mayorskiy auto-market (Horlivka), has sharply increased. Within this strip, the activity of 2 insurgent artillery groups was recorded. Both artillery groups have 22-24 cannon artillery units, including eight 152-mm caliber ones. Also within this stretch, we noted 2 insurgent battalion-level tactical groups, with armored vehicles (approximately 30 tanks and up to 20 AFV in both groups). One of these tactical groups operates in the area of Yasynuvata, the other – to the west of Horlivka. Both groups are coordinated from a single control point, and cooperating efficiently.

In the area of Volnovakha–Hranitne–Starohnativka, terrorists continue mortar attacks and armed provocations. Near the front line, the activity of several mobile terrorist mortar groups (on board of vehicles, with 120 mm mortars) was recorded. These groups carry out a maximum of 10 strikes from one position, before quickly changing position.

Along the front-line of Mospyne–Starobesheve–Komsomolske, the 3rd battalion “brigade” of Russian-terrorist troops (on which IR had reported earlier) was successfully deployed. The majority of the “brigade’s” personnel are mercenaries from [amongst] citizens of the Russian Federation.

In the trenches of Shyrokyne, east Ukraine – July 14th. Photo: Noah Brooks. Source

In the coastal direction, near Shyrokyne, insurgents tried to provoke Ukrainian troops to open fire, by conducting sniper fire.

Attacks by terrorists in the area of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead continue. In the area of Luhanske, insurgents fired several times from 120 mm mortars and AGS-17 grenade launchers; small arms and heavy machine guns were also actively used. Movement of tanks (up to one tank company) was spotted in the enemy’s tactical rear in this sector.

Insurgents attacked from MLRS BM-21 “Grad” (4 missile launch pads) in the quadrilateral area between Krasnohorivka–Zoryane–Halytsynivka–Nevelske. The purpose of these attacks (made, essentially, on deserted fields) remains unclear.

Insurgents carried out strikes on objects in the area of Krymske, Novotoshkivka, Trokhizbenka, Sokilnyky, using AGS-17 and “Grad-P” (Partizan) [MRLS] from the side of Slovyanoserbsk and the Bakhmut highway.

Objects in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska were shelled from insurgents’ fortified area near Mykolaivka. Terrorists used 120-mm mortars, large-caliber machine guns, and AGS-17 grenade launchers (3 guns “operating” simultaneously).

A Ukrainian serviceman investigates a crater left by a Grad rocket in the village of Toshkivka, (NW of Stanytsia Luhansk) in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Evgeny Maloletka. 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)
07.13.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue actively shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops and [Ukrainian] settlements, using small arms as well as cannon artillery (122-mm and 152-mm), rocket artillery (multiple rocket launcher systems), armored vehicles, and mortars (82-mm and 120-mm). On several sections of the demarcation line, “small group” warfare continues; insurgents are laying minefields and conducting reconnaissance on the tactical and operational tactical levels, employing equipment, sabotage and reconnaissance groups, and other reconnaissance measures.

In the vicinity of the Donetsk Airport (DAP), the settlements of Pisky, Avdiivka, Opytne, and north of Horlivka, terrorist shellings have become permanent. In the course of active fire strikes, insurgents are using, among others, 120-mm mortars and 122-mm artillery systems; in several instances over the past 24 hours, terrorists also used 152-mm artillery.

North of Avdiivka (between the H20 and M04 motorways), insurgents continuously attempt to infiltrate the tactical rear of the ATO forces. Russian-terrorist infantry groups are making similar attempts north of Verkhnotoretske, along the Troitske – Novhorodske – Leninske line. Under cover of heavy mortar and small arms fire, insurgent groups use the greenery to approach ATO positions, either to infiltrate their rear or to open fire at close range.

A terrorist armored group (three tanks and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles) has been spotted south of Avdiivka (Opytne, Vodyane),  while a second armored group (two tanks and two BTR-80 armored personnel carriers) is operating in the vicinity of Pisky. The armored groups are using their traditional tactic: a concealed and quick approach to the firing position, followed by shelling onto the positions of Ukrainian troops (usually 5-6 shots, sometimes 10 or more) and a similarly fast retreat, under cover of mortars or the accompanying ACVs.

South of Donetsk, in the vicinity of Starohnativka, shelling from 152-mm artillery was reported. South of Pavlopil, terrorists used small arms [for shelling].

The situation remains tense on the Svitlodarsk bridgehead. A tactical insurgent group (total strength currently approximating two “motorized rifle battalions,” reinforced with a minimum of two tank companies) deployed in the Pervomaisk – Kirovsk – Stakhanov area is active across a wide stretch (from the settlement of Luhanske to Zolote and Katerynivka, including the area of Popasna), staging armed provocations that aim to make the ATO forces resort to heavy armaments. In particular, insurgents operating in this area, in addition to the “tanks + mortars” tandem, are actively using the greenery to approach the advanced ATO forces positions and open fire from small arms and mortars.

In the same area, an insurgent artillery group has been spotted (stationed near Lomovatka), armed with 152-mm artillery guns (Msta-B howitzers or Akatsiya 2S3 self-propelled guns – information currently being clarified). Over the past 24 hours, this artillery group has repeatedly fired in the areas of Popasna, Luhanske, and Svitlodarsk (previously, insurgents in these areas mainly employed 120-mm mortars and “roving tanks”).

In the areas of Krymske, Trokhizbenka, Novotoshkivka, and Sokilnyky, terrorists are employing rocket artillery – Grad-P 9P132 (“Partizan”) units. In the same area, the relocation of an insurgent unit operating a Grad BM-21 MLRS has been spotted. Over the past 24 hours, terrorists in this area also used 120-mm mortars and AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers. Firefights are virtually constant on the stretch between Novotoshkivka (checkpoint #29), Krymske, and Sokilnyky, as well as northwest of Donetsk.

In the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk, the regrouping (rotation) of insurgent units is underway. Five tanks, two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and one BMP-1 have been moved to the city center from the directions of Krasnohorivka and Pisky.

An artillery unit (battery) of 122-mm D-30 howitzers was transferred to Horlivka. The guns were moved from the Yenakijeve direction with the help of Ural army trucks.

The insurgents organized the delivery of food products from Russia through Krasnodon to Luhansk as a “substitute” for Ukrainian products, which terrorists were having trouble delivering from the unoccupied territory [of Ukraine] due to stricter pass controls in the ATO zone. The deliveries are controlled by Ihor Plotnitsky‘s “personal guard.” Food purchases from Russia are entirely financed by the “budget funds” of the “LNR” [Luhansk People’s Republic] (the “budget” is formed through Russia’s financial aid and “taxes”), however, the income from sales is collected by individuals in the “LNR” command. Essentially, the “LNR” leadership is profiteering on sales of Russian products without investing a kopeck of their own funds into organizing those sales.

One of the guard dogs of Ukrainian soldiers. Photograph by MoD of Ukraine.

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)
07.10.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, actively using “forbidden” weapons systems – cannon artillery (122- and 152-mm in caliber), reactive artillery (MLRS), armored vehicles, and 120-mm mortars.

During the past 24 hours, insurgents actively fired at the advanced positions of the ATO forces in the western direction using the “harassing mode” of warfare practically throughout the entire section from Mar’inka to Avdiivka and areas north of it (including Kirove and Shumy). Terrorists used small arms, AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, 82- and 120-mm mortars, ZU-23-2 mobile anti-aircraft autocannons, SPG-9 mounted grenade launchers. Opytne, Avdiivka and Pisky were fired at the most (insurgents also used 122-mm artillery in these areas).

During the last 24 hours, insurgents repeatedly opened heavy fire on the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Berezove, Stepne, Yasne, and Novotroitske with 120-mm mortars. Also, terrorists actively shelled the positions of the ATO forces in these areas from the vicinity of Olenivka and Dokuchajevsk with 122-mm artillery. It is noted that the enemy is simultaneously increasing the strength and frequency of fire strike impact on the positions of ATO forces in these and neighboring areas.

Thus, in the vicinity of Hranitne, insurgents carried out a powerful fire strike from 122-mm MLRS BM-21 “Grad” (at least six MLRS units were used). Near Novohryhorivka, terrorists used 152-mm cannon artillery; several tanks carried out adjusted fire from regular 125-mm weapons from firing positions set up and camouflaged earlier in different locations in this area. The settlement of Olhynka and the positions of Ukrainian troops in the area were fired at from 120-mm mortars.

The concentration of a terrorist strike “brigade” – the size of three battalions with a significant number of armored vehicles (38 tanks alone) and artillery (24 units of cannon artillery, up to 12 MLRS systems) was observed along the Mospyne – Starobesheve – Komsomolske line. The transfer of weapons to this “brigade” continues. At the same time, three reinforced “mechanized infantry battalions” operate in the area south of Donetsk (on the Syhnalne – Telmanove stretch) (predominantly active along the Olenivka – Dokuchajevsk line and the vicinity of Hranitne) using artillery and armored vehicles.

Kyivskyi District of Donetsk, “Sarepta” neighborhood, after shelling. Source.

At the moment, it is difficult to say whether such a concentration of Russian-terrorist forces is [purely] symbolic and is used to mislead the ATO forces, or the enemy is in fact preparing for an attack to the south of Donetsk, in the direction of Volnovakha. In any case, analysts from the IR group indicate that the ATO forces must be ready for enemy activities in the following directions: the Telmanove – Volnovakha highway, the Donetsk – Mariupol highway, the area from Novomykhailivka to Chermalyk, Mykolayivka, and Hranitne – predominantly on the stretch south of Donetsk.

During the past 24 hours in the vicinity of the Svitlodarsk springboard (the Luhanske – Myronivskyi area), insurgents carried out active fire strikes from small arms, 82-mm mortars, and AGS-17. Terrorist provocations with infantry weapons continue in the area of Popasna, Katerynivka, Zolote, Novotoshkivske, Krymske, Shchastya, and Stanytsia Luhanska. In most instances, insurgents are employing the old tactics: under cover of mortar fire (or in advance, in secret) at a range of effective fire, 1–2 groups of insurgents advance, or rarely 2-3 groups (usually – up to 30, rarely up to 50 people), into the “vegetation” in the “neutral zone” where they equip the firing positions. They are followed by open fire (including sniper [fire]) onto the ATO forces’  advanced positions and strongholds. At the same time, infiltration attempts by enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups of the rear of the Ukrainian troops are observed under cover of these insurgent infantry groups. As a rule, after the ATO forces’ retaliatory fire, the enemy moves back to their starting line.

The bridge at Stanytsia Luhanske, June 6. Source.

The movement of transport and military equipment convoys in both directions is being observed in the border areas, including the occupied territories (Sukhodilsk, Krasnodon, Sverdlovsk). In the last 24 hours, 12 armored vehicles and artillery moved through Sverdlovsk, three 2S9 “Nona-S” and four 122-mm 2S1 “Gvozdika” self-propelled howitzers, six BMD-2 IFVs were transferred to Donbas from the Russian Federation.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB