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)
03.04.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue using the truce to regroup their forces and equipment currently concentrated in Donbas. Tactical reserves are being transferred to the Donetsk sector (armored vehicles, artillery, Russian mercenary units) and to the Horlivka area (a battalion tactical group, transferred in parts). Over the last three days (03.01 – 03.03), we observed 16 tanks, 23 armored combat vehicles and 12 towed artillery guns (mainly D-30 howitzers) moving towards Donetsk and Horlivka from several directions: through Debaltseve and Yenakijeve, and via the southern route, through Snizhne, Ilovaisk, and Starobesheve.

Russian-terrorist units are concentrating in the Dzerzhynsk and Artemivsk sectors (we observed a total of 4 company tactical groups with appropriate artillery support, moved here from the south). As of this time, forces previously concentrated in the Dzerzhynsk sector have been reinforced by 12 tanks and 23 AVCs, and a four-battery artillery group (cannon artillery and 8 MRLS units). These resources are being transferred here from southern areas, where the terrorists claim they are “withdrawing” weapons. Armored vehicles continue arriving in small batches (3-4 units) and accumulating in the Artemivsk sector.

Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride on an armoured personnel carrier near Artemivsk, eastern Ukraine, March 3, 2015. Three Ukrainian servicemen were killed and nine wounded as pro-Russian rebels shelled government positions despite a ceasefire deal, the military said on Tuesday, announcing Kiev’s highest casualty toll in several days. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich. SOURCE

Additionally, the enemy continues actively accumulating material and supplies in these areas (primarily fuel and ammunition; armaments currently deployed are supplied with 4-5 days’ worth of ammunition, for certain calibers). The ‘supply stations’ and ‘warehouses’ are set up in maximum proximity to the front line. The organization and management of warehouses and supply accumulation points are under strict control by ‘command representatives,’ among which we were able to identify officers of the Russian Armed Forces. The warehouses are guarded by well-armed security details.

In both the ‘DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] and ‘LNR’ [Luhansk People’s Republic], Russian [military] specialists are overseeing the training of insurgent units at a number of improvised training grounds. The main training focus is on the cooperation between different types of troops – ‘infantry,’ tank units, and artillery units.

The Russian-terrorist tactical group concentrated in the Novoazovsk sector is attempting to push Ukrainian units back from the village of Shyrokyne. The terrorists are also actively faking a “withdrawal of troops” in this area (in reality, units withdrawn during the day return to their positions at nighttime – or to use the insurgents’ own term, “spinning the merry-go-round”).

The enemy is continuing an active reconnaissance of the Ukrainian battle lines in several sectors at once. Russian-terrorist troops are attempting to rapidly intensify the use of sabotage-reconnaissance groups (SRG) over an area spanning as far as the tactical rear of the Ukrainian troops. The enemy is capable of conducting such operations due to the lack of the Ukrainian troops’ continuous control behind the line of engagement (at best, they have fire control over areas between neighboring positions, i.e. the ability to fire on these areas).

Discontent is growing in the ranks of the so-called “militia” in Donbas as they are no longer being paid a monthly allowance. In Makiivka, insurgents are deserting gangs en masse, no longer being able to support their families after the monthly allowance cut.

Insurgents continue shelling in the Stepne – Hranitne area, south of Donetsk. One Ukrainian armored vehicle has been hit.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Update on the activity of Russian special services in Donbas as of 04.03:

According to the operational data of the Information Resistance group, Russian special services are using the “truce” in Donbas to reorganize the ‘DNR’ and ‘LNR’ “special services.”

According to the reports of the Russian FSB [Federal Security Service] group responsible for coordinating efforts in Donbas, the creation of the “state security ministries” of the ‘DNR’ and the ‘LNR’ is 25% complete as of this time. The organizational efforts of local “specialists” are described as inefficient. The further creation of the above structures will be entirely controlled by representatives of Russian special services.

The coordinator appointed by the Russian FSB to oversee creation of the “state security bodies” of terrorist organizations in Donbas is Pyotr Zima, former head of the Sevastopol Department of the Security Service of Ukraine.

On March 2, 2014, Pyotr Zima, former head of the SBU Sevastopol Department, was appointed the ‘Head of the SBU of Crimea’ by the collaborationist government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. On March 3, 2014, Acting President of Ukraine Oleksander Turchynov dismissed Pyotr Zima from his position. The Security Service of Ukraine possesses evidence that the unlawfully appointed ‘Head of the Main Directorate of the SBU of Crimea’ Pyotr Zima was involved in the mass murders of peaceful civilians in Kyiv in February 2014. The turncoat Zima also actively collaborated with the Russian FSB during the annexation of Crimea.

VoU note: Pyotr Zima is included in the list of people sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control for being complicit in violating the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The 17th Russian “humanitarian convoy” heading toward East Ukraine today with 160 vehicles strong. Neither Ukraine or international monitors able to verify the vehicles’ contents. 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)
03.03.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist troops in the conflict zone in Donbas continue concentrating forces and supplies in individual areas and sectors, considerably strengthening their main tactical strike groups. They continue firing on the advanced positions of Ukrainian troops, and carry out tactical-level offensives in some areas.

Over the last 24 hours, we observed three more supply convoys moving to Donbas from the Russian territory – along both the “southern” and “northern” supply routes.

The enemy is working particularly hard to increase the combat capacity of their tactical group in the Novoazovsk sector, by transferring reinforcements from the north (from Telmanove) as well as from the Russian territory (across the Ukrainian-Russian border). At this time, the enemy accumulated 17 tanks (most of them positioned in the northern outskirts of Novoazovsk and further north of the town) and over 30 armored combat vehicles (ACV) in this sector. Small and mobile squads of the ‘Army of the DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] are operating on the ‘front line’ in this area, attempting to push back the Shyrokyne – Pavlopil line occupied by Ukrainian troops.

Current conditions are ideal for the terrorists and Russian mercenaries to carry out operations of this sort – seeing as a lack of strong response on the part of Ukrainian troops (that observe the truce terms under the Minsk Agreements) makes it easier for the enemy to increase the combat capacity of their units. Any action by Ukrainian troops is purely defensive, and they only open fire in retaliation.

In the Alchevsk – Pervomaisk sector, the enemy is actively accumulating resources and supplies, not even trying to fake “withdrawal of heavy armaments and artillery” as in some other areas. Several Russian-terrorist artillery groups are concentrated in the Stakhanov – Bile [pr. Bee-leh] – Alchevsk area (up to 36 cannon artillery units, 12 multiple rocket launcher systems, and 18 self-propelled artillery guns); they are receiving large supplies of ammunition (a temporary transfer and loading station has been created in Stakhanov for this purpose).

The earlier withdrawal of combat equipment by the ‘Army of the LNR’ [Luhansk People’s Republic] north and east of Luhansk proved to be a feint. The insurgents only withdrew malfunctioning and nonoperational equipment deeper inside the territories under their control (specifically: to repair bases). The rest of the equipment and armaments were moved a short distance away, then carefully scattered and camouflaged.

Two composite Russian-terrorist units (a company tactical group and a reinforced tank battalion) are being withdrawn from the Debaltseve area to the south of the Luhansk oblast, for resupplying. These units sustained heavy losses in the Debaltseve springboard battles (the tank battalion lost at least 8 tanks). The units are being withdrawn in parts, predominantly under cover of dark. The enemy is presenting the withdrawal of these units as their “adherence to the Minsk Agreements.”

At the same time, the terrorists are exerting considerable effort to fully restore operation of the Debaltseve railway junction, to speed up the transfer of supplies through this junction station. The first troop train (6 cars) carrying ammunition from the territory of Russia already arrived in the Debaltseve area.

In Donetsk, the terrorists continue concentrating new units in three city districts (Kuibyshivskyi, Kyivskyi, Petrovskyi districts), and heavily shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops using mortars and heavy infantry weapons, and, on occasion, artillery and tank guns. We also observe significant Russian-terrorist activity on the Krasnohorivka – Shumy stretch; specifically, the enemy made several attempts to attack the advance positions of Ukrainian troops using a tactical insurgent group (up to a reinforced platoon in strength), supported by mortars and artillery.

In the Dokuchajevsk – Novolaspa area, the enemy is regrouping their units, concentrating the main troops and forces on the sector northwest of Volnovakha (village of Stepne), and on the stretch between Hranitne and an area south of Telmanove. We observed movement of 13 tanks, 8 ACVs, and 25 tented army trucks.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Update on Russian-terrorist regrouping efforts as of 03.03.2015:

According to the Information Resistance group’s operational data, Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas regrouped their forces during the night of 03.03.2015.

Specifically, we have reports of personnel and equipment from the ‘DNR’s ‘Vostok’ gang transferring from the vicinity of Panteleimonivka (Donetsk oblast, Yasynuvata district) to the Mariupol sector.

Additionally, a tactical terrorist group staffed by insurgents from the former Ihor “Bes” Bezler gang is transferred to the Horlivka area.

A convoy of up to 40 Russian-terrorist armored vehicles arrived in the vicinity of Pobjeda (Donetsk oblast, Starobesheve district). The convoy includes tanks, ACVs, and armored personnel carriers. The combat equipment is stationed at farming facilities (in this area, the insurgents gave local farmers an early warning to vacate their warehouses [to make room for combat equipment]).

Terrorists did not comply with removal of heavy weapons from the line of confrontation. Photo from the social networks.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB