Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
06.08.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
Operational data from Information Resistance:
After a disastrous offensive in Mar’inka on June 3, Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue to operate in a number of areas along the confrontation line. According to the IR data, the offensive on Mar’inka was planned by the Russian-terrorist command and was supposed to become the beginning of a large-scale offensive towards the Kurakhovskaya thermal power station. For this purpose, terrorists transferred two reinforced “mechanized infantry battalions” and a tank group in addition to the previously accumulated forces to Donetsk before the offensive; one battalion went to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk, another – to the north (the IR group has reported about these movements– the transfer of armored vehicles was carried out in “preparation for Victory Day” on May 9, however, the armored vehicles remained in the Kyrovskyi district of Donetsk after the “parade”). Another artillery group has been transferred after the launch of the offensive.
During the past 24 hours, enemy sniper groups and insurgent sabotage and reconnaissance groups have become active near Mar’inka and Krasnohorivka, operating under cover of dense small arms and mortar fire.
In the vicinity of Pisky, Opytne, north of Avdiivka, near Shumy, the Mayorska station, terrorists have attacked from small arms, mortars, and cannon artillery. “Roving” tanks, IFVs, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft auto cannons, and 82-mm mortars on transport platforms have been observed in these areas; 120-mm 2B16 “Nona-K” towed guns have been recorded in the Artemivsk and Luhansk directions (a battery in each direction).
In the seaside direction, insurgents have actively shelled from 120- and 82-mm mortars near Shyrokyne – Pavlopil (elevations to the northwest and north of Shyrokyne); the latter were mainly used from mobile transport platforms. 122-mm artillery has also been reported (two batteries – up to eight weapons). Two enemy sniper groups have actively “operated” on the forward positions of ATO forces near Shyrokyne for several days in a row; these groups are well-trained.
In the vicinity of Novotoshkivka, Krymske, and Sokolniki, a “war by small groups” continues; sometimes insurgents used mortars and AGS-17 to cover the approach and retreat of their sabotage and reconnaissance groups. Shellings from heavy infantry weapons have been observed simultaneously with the activity of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups near Zolote and the Svitlodarsk springboard; occasionally, insurgents used armored vehicles – mainly tanks – to fire at the ATO forces’ forefront positions at dusk or in the dark, trying to make it difficult for ATO anti-tank systems to determine the distance and location of their firing positions.
In the vicinity of Shchastya, insurgents have actively fired from 120-mm mortars (two groups about which IR reported earlier). Under the cover of attacks, enemy “raiding groups” operated on the stretch from Vesela Hora towards Shchastya and Stanytsia Luhanska. A terrorist tactical group deployed near Obozne (a reinforced company in size) has used large-caliber machine guns and AGS-17 during shellings.
In the vicinity of Hranitne, terrorists have once again used the tactics of “luring out armored vehicles” against Ukrainian troops: active shellings of advanced positions are initiated to provoke return fire, after identifying armored vehicles at the positions of ATO forces, anti-tank missiles get launched (three launches in total, all without results).
Movement of military units and equipment:
• The build-up of an insurgent group deployed south of Donetsk has been observed. A tactical group of Russian mercenaries (a company in size) has arrived from the Russian Federation from the direction of Amvrosiivka. North of Starobesheve, the transfer of four tanks, and 11 ACVs (including 3 BTR-82A) has been observed. Also, the arrival of three BM-21 “Grad” has been registered in the area.
• The rotation of an insurgent group deployed in the northern part of Horlivka has been observed (up to a reinforced battalion). Over the last 24 hours, the transfer of six tanks has been reported; four tanks and four IFVs have been moved out. In the southwestern part of the “Horlivka garrison,” up to 10 tanks and several integrated units with 12 ACVs have been recorded between Panteleimonivka and Yasynuvata.
• An armored group from three BTR-80, a BMP-2 and three T-72 tanks has been transferred through Luhansk in the southern direction (to “boot camps” in Lutuhyne).
• Movement of two Russian BMP-97 “Vystrel” in a convoy with the BTR-80 has been observed to the east of Luhansk (from Khryashchuvate to Mykolayivka).
Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
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