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)
03.17.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

During the past 24 hours, Russian-terrorist forces shelled the positions of Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Mariupol sectors. Terrorist operations were the most active in the vicinity of Avdiivka, Starohnativka, Pisky, and Shyrokyne. Near Mayorskiy, several enemy groups attacked the positions of Ukrainian troops from several directions. Ukrainian troops successfully stopped the enemy attack with retaliatory fire; the enemy was forced to withdraw to [their original] starting line.

Destroyed building of the Donetsk Agroindustrial Institute in Pisky. Photographs by Docutoloka

The ‘armies’ of the ‘DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] and the ‘LNR’ [Luhansk People’s Republic] continue reinforcing their combat capacity. The Russian-terrorist command strives to balance the strength and structure of their units in each particular sector with assigned tasks [for each sector]. The troops’ command and control systems are [also being] perfected.

Another ‘training center’ for the ‘refresher training’ of local insurgents and mercenaries arriving from Russia has been created in the vicinity of Krasnyi Luch.

As of this time, about 6,000 troops belonging to different Russian-terrorist formations are assembled on the Horlivka – Yenakijeve – Debaltseve stretch (the “Horlivska Garrison” that is part of “Oplot” gang, and several smaller units, including “Vostok” and “Somali”). This group in particular employs powerful and long-range weapons that operate in the base area (9K58 “Smerch” multiple rocket launcher systems, as well as cannon and self-propelled artillery). In most cases, the munitions are “withdrawn” to positions from where it would take them less than 60 minutes to return to their previous principal firing positions near the “front line.” Additionally, up to 60 tanks are mobilized on the stretch between Krasnohorivka and the northern outskirts of Horlivka (T-64 of various modifications, as well as the T-72 equipped with new types of ammunition and equipment allowing long-range and night-time combat), at least 95 different ACVs (armored combat vehicles, mainly BTR-80 and BMP-2, and several BTR-82). Also deployed in the area are a ​​logistics facility and an air defense system (3 radars, as well as many firing units that provide air defense, including directly at the “front line”).

Separatist forces near Debalteve. Photo by AFP.

In the seaside (Mariupol) sector, a strike group of Russian-terrorist troops is structuring. Some of its manpower and resources have been moved forward, directly to the line of contact with Ukrainian troops. This strike group receives periodic supplies of military equipment and its maintenance specialists from Russia. Another “mobile” armored group has emerged at the “front line” (6 tanks, 5 ACVs, and two ZU-23-2 systems supported by a mortar battery).

In the Donetsk sector, terrorists are persevering in their attempts to “probe” the front edge of the Ukrainian defenses, through heavy shelling, extensive use of intelligence equipment, and attempts of sabotage and reconnaissance groups to infiltrate deep inside the ATO forces combat formations. Up to 3,000 insurgents and Russian mercenaries are currently concentrated on the stretch between Marinka and Krasnohorivka, as well as 27 tanks (divided into groups of 3 or 4), and 36 AFVs.

Over the past 24 hours, we observed regular deliveries of resources and supplies from the Russian Federation (most of them via the “northern route,” by motor transport and railway). Overall, 6 train cars and 12 covered platforms arrived in Ilovaisk (presumably carrying MRLS, and command and control vehicles). About 40 vehicles and 12 combat vehicles (mainly ACVs) were seen moving through Luhansk and Krasnodon as part of supply convoys. Convoys arriving from Russia typically include a large number of specialized equipment – transport-loading vehicles, fuel tankers, and engineering machinery and equipment (cranes, tracklayers, etc.). The greatest number of deliveries of supplies and technical resources in the last few days were made to the Luhansk sector and the Artemivsk–Donetsk stretch.

Insurgents continue to move coal [from Donbas] to Russia. On average, we have reports of 10-12 heavy cargo trucks with coal leaving from the Luhansk oblast for Russia daily. Documents accompanying the cargo define the shipments as “coal from Ukraine,” and the Russian customs service is observing all customs formalities.

In Luhansk and several other settlements in the territory controlled by the ‘LNR,’ insurgents are persistently spreading rumors about an impending massive air strike by Ukrainian aviation, supposedly scheduled for March 17. The motives behind the spreading of this rumor are currently unknown.

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)
03.16.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue to flagrantly violate the ceasefire by shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops. The enemy mainly uses small arms, and occasionally, mortars and other heavy infantry armaments; in several instances, armored vehicles and artillery were used.

The terrorists continue to enhance their advanced positions, as well as set up their starting positions and areas of concentration. Similar efforts have been observed in the seaside (Mariupol) direction, in the areas southeast of Horlivka, in the western sector south of Donetsk, and on the Shchastya – Stanytsia Luhanska stretch. The enemy widely uses specialized army-issue engineering equipment moved from the Russian Federation, as well as equipment seized from regional plants and organizations (both state- and privately owned).

During the last three days, Russian-terrorist troops rapidly increased their reconnaissance efforts throughout the entire ATO zone. The enemy employs a full range of reconnaissance forces and equipment – from drones and radio intelligence, to sabotage and reconnaissance groups. We have reports of two radio intelligence centers operating in the area between Telmanove and Horlivka, and several command and control points being set up to the north of Luhansk and on the Stakhanov – Pervomaisk stretch.

Scorched earth 37 miles away from Luhansk. Source: Alyona Shkrum FB

The Alchevsk – Pervomaisk formation of Russian-terrorist forces has been reorganized. While, at the beginning of March most of this group consisted of Russian mercenaries and military servicemen, today it is largely staffed by local ‘DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] insurgents. A mobile command point (7 specialized vehicles, including command and staff vehicles and mobile communication centers) has arrived in Alchevsk to conduct tactical control of this group.

A regrouping of Russian-terrorist units has been observed in several areas. North of Debaltseve, units of the ‘DNR army’ are being rotated – most of them are withdrawn to the Horlivka – Yenakijeve area, and replaced by several joint tactical groups transferred from the south (at least two company tactical groups have been transferred, including up to 7 tanks and 24 AFVs, and anti-tank weaponry).

The Russian-terrorist battalion tactical group deployed in the Dokuchajevsk – Starobesheve area has received 8 armored vehicles (including 2 tanks) as reinforcements. Some of the equipment that supports this battalion tactical group of the artillery group  has been withdrawn deeper inside insurgent positions; however, some 40% of its weapons remain on the enemy advanced positions (including 8 BM-21 multiple rocket launcher systems, a 6-gun D-30 howitzer battery, and 5 2S21 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery guns). The artillery squads are spread out and thoroughly camouflaged. Radio intelligence centers are also working hard in this area.

The situation remains tense in the seaside (Mariupol) sector. The Russian-terrorist tactical group concentrated to the north and northeast of Novoazovsk continues receiving reinforcements of equipment and personnel (6 towed artillery units and 1 Strela – 10M anti-aircraft system were delivered to this tactical group, through Maksymovo). In this sector, the enemy continues shelling the positions of the ATO forces, in an attempt to push Ukrainian forces further back towards Mariupol. The enemy employs the tactic of “wandering” tanks and mortar details (in most cases, mortars are installed on off-road vehicles; we observed at least 6 such details, and 3-4 “wandering” tanks from the advance group that is part of the Russian-terrorist Novoazovsk battalion tactical group). An armored group from the same battalion tactical group has been spotted near Bezimenne (4 tanks and 3 ACVs).

In the Kuibyshivskyi and Petrovskyi districts of Donetsk, the insurgents continue to redistribute the combat equipment that remains in this area. 5 more tanks were transferred from the vicinity of Opytne to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk.

The terrorist artillery group allegedly “withdrawn” from the vicinity of Pervomaisk (approximately 22 self-propelled and cannon artillery units operated by several squads) has been actually transferred to another section of the “front” and deployed near Chornukhyne. The insurgent rocket artillery unit previously stationed near Alchevsk has been moved to an area west of Luhansk.

The insurgents continue working hard to replenish their resources, with a particular focus on fuel and ammunition. Over the last two days, the arrival of six supply convoys has been observed from the Russian territory, including two special trains (8 railway cars in each, headed for Debaltseve and Illovaisk).

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
Image: Alyona Shkrum FB

Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
03.13.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue to openly and flagrantly violate the terms of the Minsk peace agreements. For the past 24 hours, the most active fire strikes on the positions of Ukrainian troops, and offensive attempts by terrorists, took place on the seaside (Mariupol), Donetsk, and Luhansk directions. The enemy repeatedly attacked the positions of ATO forces and used both small arms and weapons that were supposed to be moved away from the line of contact – 120-mm mortars and artillery (in particular, the widely used 152-mm self-propelled artillery 2S3 “Akatsiya“).

Ukraine troops keep a lookout near Donetsk. SOURCE

In the seaside direction, the maneuvering of Russian-terrorist troops’ armored vehicles before the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops was noted (a movement of 4 tanks at the forefront and 2 more tanks and 4 AFVs deep inside the combat formations).

Units of Russian-terrorist forces have been observed accumulating on the Stepne–Hranitne stretch. In general, the transfer takes place through the settlement of Starobesheve, as well as through Donetsk. When the transfer of weapons to another location takes place, artillery systems are brought in groups and gathered deep inside combat formations in advance (as if to mimic their alleged diversion). Also, the transfer of over 300 insurgents to this area has been recorded. Along the Amvrosiivka – Komsomolske boundary, as well as in the area of ​​Snizhne – Shakhtarsk, a transfer of small groups totaling up to 35 tanks, 44 ACVs and up to 30 other vehicles (trucks, the MT-LB, etc.) have been observed.

In the vicinity of Yasynuvata and Avdiivka, besides the accumulation of Russian-terrorist formations, the deployment of a number of speciaized units such as mobile command posts, electronic warfare stations, and air defense systems has been observed.

As reported by the IR group, a mixed strike tactical group of Russian-terrorist forces has been deployed on the Mayorskiy – Avdiivka stretch, with a rear base district in Horlivka. During the last 2 days, the manpower of the tactical group has increased from 3,500 up to 5,000 people. A transfer of small tactical groups from this strike group to the front border has been observed (usually a few tanks, about 15-20 ACVs, and several units with antitank weapons – MT-12 anti-tank guns or anti-tank systems – on army vehicles).

In the Petrovskyi district [raion] of Donetsk, a tactical group of Russian-terrorist forces with armored vehicles has completed its deployment (overall, with 45 units of armored vehicles, 11 of which are tanks, all the equipment is dispersed and camouflaged). The arrival of insurgent artillery units is expected in the area.

In the Stanytsia Luhanska – Shchastya direction, the accumulation of Russian-terrorist formations continues. The transfer of enemy forces and equipment in this direction is conducted by separate company tactical groups through the eastern districts of Luhansk region, which are controlled by the ‘LNR,’ and Krasnodon (the city of Luhansk is used as a transshipment base and an advanced logistics station). During the past 24 hours, the transfer of ​​at least 600 people (split in groups of 100-150) and about 30 armored vehicles has been observed in this area (the majority of which – 8 tanks and 13 AFVs – proceeded towards Vesela Hora).

Along the Luhansk – Donetsk highway, terrorists continue to set up firing positions for [their] artillery. Altogether, 3 tactical groups are concentrated along the Pervomaisk – Stakhanov stretch (total of 28 tanks, 45 ACVs and multiple mobile units equipped wtih antitank weapons). The build-up of this formation continues, including with the equipment repaired in Perevalsk, Alchevsk and Luhansk (over the last 3 days, at least 6 vehicles previously damaged in combat have been passed back into service.

Moreover, the enemy actively forms tactical reserves in the second echelon, primarily with combined units of Russian mercenaries (almost all of the local insurgents have been placed in the first echelon).

At least 4 areas have been observed, where tactical and operational reserves of Russian-terrorist forces are accumulated – south of Luhansk, the vicinity of Krasnyi Luch – Snizhne, Starobesheve – Amvrosiivka, Yenakiieve – Makiivka.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB