Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 2.20 #FreeSavchenko

Posted on February 20, 2015 by M. Stanislav

information_resistance_logo_engDmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.20.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

The situation in the ATO area remains tense; Russian-terrorist troops continue to actively shell Ukrainian troop positions. Russian-terrorist units are regrouping on the main lines of operations. Enemy units are being restaffed and supplied with additional armaments and military equipment in order to restore their combat capacity. This process is being supported by an increased supply of resources and materials. Over the last 24 hours, at least 4 supply convoys were spotted arriving from Russia to the occupied territories of Donbas (for a total of up to 55 vehicles and 28 pieces of combat equipment, including tanks, armored fighting vehicles, and self-propelled artillery units).

In the area of Debaltseve, during 02.19.2015, the enemy attempted to prevent the exit of disjointed and remaining groups of Ukrainian units from the Debaltseve force, by a “clean-up” operation of the city and its outskirts. Occasional firefights were reported on the Kalynivka – Lohvynove – Nyzhnje Lozove, in the direction of Luhanske [village in Donetsk oblast; not to be confused with the city of Luhansk] and Svitlodarsk. Insurgents and Russian military servicemen attempted to set up screening forces and fired sporadically on the main transport routes in this area.

Units of the Russian Armed Forces are present in the area of Debaltseve (to the south and east of the city). These units are very well equipped, armed, and geared (camouflaged as “Army of Novorossiya”). In particular, we have reports of three Russian battalion tactical groups (BTG), supported by two artillery groups (a total of 35 tanks, 68 CFVs, up to 50 pieces of cannon artillery, and 24 multiple rocket launcher systems). These BTGs took a direct part in the battles for Debaltseve, together with gangs from the “DNR” [Donetsk People’s Republic] and “LNR” [Luhansk People’s Republic]. Command structures that directed the “Debaltseve operation” (including the artillery direction center) are also manned by regular Russian officers. During the “operation,” local insurgent gangs, much more poorly armed and equipped, were deployed in front of regular Russian army units. (Currently, these gangs are holding positions in the city [of Debaltseve] and on the northern direction.)

The enemy’s main assault tactical groups are regrouping further into the occupied Donbas territory. Additionally, remnants of the tactical group from the terrorists’ “Horlivka garrison,” which took part in fighting for Vuhlehirsk, are being transferred from the area of Debaltseve towards Horlivka and Yenakijeve (11 tanks, 8 CFVs, one mortar battery, one anti-tank battery, 4 anti-tank guided missile launchers, and 4 MT-12 “Rapira” anti-tank guns). We also have reports that several “LNR” mobile groups (mainly the remnants of so-called “Cossack” formations and local insurgents) are moving towards Pervomaisk on motor vehicles (total of up to 250 personnel, several 120-mm mortars, and 4 tanks).

During the last twenty-four hours, Russian-terrorist artillery groups stationed near Donetsk fired on the positions of Ukrainian troops in Pisky, Marinka, Vodyane, and Opytne (three instances of MRLS fire, but mainly cannon artillery and mortars). Ukrainian troops opened retaliatory fire, in individual cases and only on surveyed and confirmed targets.

A fresh tactical group is being transferred to the area of Donetsk, through Snizhne and Shakhtarsk, on motor vehicles (up to 20 trucks and 3 minibuses). The convoy also includes four BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, and two BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, used as march security. This tactical group is manned by local insurgents and Russian mercenaries who received training in Russia, in the training camps of Russian special services.

More of the insurgents’ equipment damaged around Debaltseve is being transferred to Snizhne, Donetsk, Yenakijeve, and Horlivka, for repairs.

A mixed group consisting of insurgents and Russian mercenaries arrived to the area of Bezimenne (near Novoazovsk) from the territory of Russia, up to an enforced company in strength (130 personnel, 4 tanks, 6 trucks, six D-30 guns, and a mortar batter). This group was accompanied by a reconnaissance group manned by military servicemen of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (17 personnel, 3 jeeps, and a minibus).

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB
Photo source: Escape from Hell (Debaltseve)

Posted in Dmitry Tymchuk, English, English News, Pictures, South&Eastern Ukraine, War in Donbas | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Maidan has won.

Posted on February 20, 2015 by chervonaruta

Voices of Ukraine, Editorial staff
02.20.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Maidan answered the most important post-Soviet question and on it’s 1 year anniversary, the road – still –  leads only forward

Maidan encompasses the positive realization of such things as Euromaidan, anti-government protests, civil resistance, Automaidan, protests against the restriction of civil liberties, a Revolution of Dignity, the spirit of cooperative public involvement, volunteerism, the building of civil society, unity in diversity, EuromaidanSOS, makeshift triage centers, self-defense groups or sotnias, internet activism, cultural protest, Warriors of Light, Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava!

Maidan was born of two very simple yet unwavering desires. The first is to throw off corruption and install a functioning rule of law in Ukraine (which means death to the oligarchy as it has existed). The second is to connect back to the fundamental democratic values it was always historically associated with before the rupture of Soviet rule. And Maidan delivered. In fact its success is what made Putin’s invasion of Ukraine necessary, he was losing control of its governing forces. Maidan at core is precisely that self-determining moment of self-emancipation.

Military analyst and MP Dmitry Tymchuk has written: “Maidan has won….without Maidan, we remained a sad fragment of the ‘Sovok,’ a stillborn offspring of the USSR. Maidan gave Ukraine its soul.

They say: Maidan showed something to the whole world. I think it’s not about the world, it’s about us. Ukrainians have answered their most important ‘post-Soviet’ question: whether they are slaves or whether they are ready to build a free country as free men. The answer turned out to be proud, convincing, and impressive. With this answer, the road leads only forward. If only, for the sake of the immortal Heavenly Hundred.”

All photographs are by Serhiy Takhmazov.
Click on images for enlargement/slide show:

Photographic source: Serhiy Takhmazov FB

Quotation source: Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group and MP (People’s Front), in 2014 Military Summary.

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Dmitry Tymchuk: Military update 2.19 #FreeSavchenko

Posted on February 19, 2015 by tilamuse

information_resistance_logo_engDmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.19.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Operational data from Information Resistance:

Russian-terrorist forces have taken complete control of the town and the railway junction station of Debaltseve, thus presently creating a kind of “military commandant’s office” in the city. In the direction of Artemivsk (Svetlodarsk – Luhanske), radical enemy units are trying to move in the direction of Luhanske. Ukrainian units that provide a withdrawal of the Debaltseve Ukrainian troop formations, engage in deterrent combat. Also, the enemy began to evacuate disabled and damaged military equipment from the combat fields in the area of Debaltseve (the equipment is evacuated to Horlivka and Yenakiieve).

A tactical group of Russian-terrorist forces from the “Horlivka garrison,” reinforced with a company tactical group (staffed by locals, including a large number of young men between 16 and 17 years of age and senior citizens, which are exceedingly poorly equipped and armed), began moving towards the Artemivsk – Debaltseve road north of Lohvynove. Overall, about 240 insurgents participated in the offensive, divided into four groups with armored vehicles provided (up to 10 tanks and 6 AFVs). Ukrainian artillery periodically strikes these groups.

In the area of Novohryhorivka, an “Ural” [cargo truck] carrying local terrorists was blown up on a mine; there are wounded.

During the past few days, the enemy has continued to fire at the positions of Ukrainian troops in the vicinity of Pisky, Vodyane, Opytne from mortars and grenade launchers, despite the truce. The village of Mariinka has also been repeatedly shelled with mortars and barrel artillery.

The “DNR police” has detained a group of residents from the Georgian territory occupied by Russia – South Ossetia. Among them are:

1. Chochiev Sarmat Borisovich (according to preliminary data, [he is] the son of the Head of “the Presidential Administration of the Republic of South Ossetia,” B.E. Chochiev);
2. Gabaraev Azamat Kazimirovich;
3. Karsanov Yakov Ivanovich;
4. Dzhioev Alan Hasaybergovich;
5. Kozonov Dmitry Feliksovich.

All these individuals took part in armed confrontations on the territory of Ukraine on the side of gang formations [that are] part of the so-called “DNR.” The reason for detention is – for disobeying instructions of the “DNR” leadership. An alleged location of the detained terrorists from South Ossetia is an insurgent base in Donetsk.

The “DNR” made a decision to create “frontline supply stations.” The main purpose of these stations – is to receive, process, and issue ammunition to the “representatives of detachments.”

Another echelon with ammunition arrived to the Ilovaysk railway station from Russia. Unloading is underway.

Near ​​Makiivka and Horlivka, a radar equipment operation has been observed; they were transferred from Russia along with the service crew from among the military personnel of the Russian Federation. We are talking about a test mode inspection of air defense systems with radar. In addition, a transfer of 2 “Strela-10” SAMs has been recorded in the area of ​​Shakhtarsk.

The command of the “DNR troops” issued a “strict order” to smuggle the corpses of dead Russian citizens directly to Rostov-on-Don (Russia), without prior registration of death documents and sorting in local mortuaries. Russian specialists engage in the “classification” of bodies of eliminated terrorists and determine their affiliation (local insurgents or Russian citizens) on the territory controlled by the “DNR” and “LNR.” A certain “commercial entity” engages in delivery of corpses to Russia (in fact – [it is] a special unit of the FSB of Russia).

A task force of Russian-terrorist troops that occupies positions behind Yasynuvata junction has received two ACS 2S1 “Grovzika.”

In the seaside direction, the enemy moves reinforcements (up to 100 people and about 7 armored vehicles) to the area north of Novoazovsk. Tactical reserves get moved and the gunfire does not stop near the settlement of Shyrokyne.

Russian-terrorist troop armored vehicles and artillery weapons (over 100-mm caliber) that have been allegedly moved away from the demarcation line near Luhansk dividing [both] sides, previously reported on by the IR group, were simply moved back to an insurgent base south of Luhansk.

The enemy continues to regroup its manpower and vehicles inside the Pervomaisk-Alchevsk ledge. 11 covered cargo trucks and 5 BBMs have been transferred through Krasnodon towards Perevalsk.

Debaltseve. Photo: Max Avdeev

Debaltseve. Photo: Max Avdeev

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Posted in Dmitry Tymchuk, English, English News, Pictures, South&Eastern Ukraine, War in Donbas | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lawyer Mark Feygin: Savchenko has refused the glucose injections #FreeSavchenko

Posted on February 19, 2015 by chervonaruta

By Radio Svoboda
02.19.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, who is already on her 68th day [Ed.: 69th] of hunger strike in a Moscow jail, has refused glucose injections. Her lawyer Mykola Polozov has said this in comments to Radio Svoboda.

“The problem is that in those places where they inserted catheters, there was inflammation of the veins. These catheters cannot be inserted there,” – he explained.

According to him, instead of glucose injections she will be offered to drink a “protein cocktail.”

Savchenko refuses to eat any food, said Polozov.

On December 13, 2014, Savchenko announced a hunger strike and has continued it until now. On January 29, she was transferred to the medical unit.

According to the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia, a day before, German doctors examined her and identified her health status as satisfactory.

Yesterday, on February 18, a Ukrainian doctor was prevented from seeing Savchenko. Savchenko is asking PACE to provide her with an independent medical commission.

In Russia, Nadiya Savchenko is accused of involvement in the deaths of Russian journalists in Donbas. In late June separatists took her prisoner, transported her across the border and handed her over to Russian security forces. After that Savchenko was taken into custody in Russia. According to the defense, she could not have been complict in the deaths of the journalists, since she was taken prisoner before their deaths.

In late January, investigators informed Savchenko about the opening of a new criminal case against her – for illegal crossing of the border.

Source: Radio Svoboda

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Dmitry Tymchuk: Peacekeeping mission concerns #FreeSavchenko

Posted on February 19, 2015 by chervonaruta

information_resistance_logo_engDmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
02.19.2015
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Concerning the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine to appeal to the UN and EU to send a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine

It is quite obvious: just as I said earlier with regard to the United Nations, squabbles in the UN Security Council will begin as soon as the resolution to establish a peacekeeping mission is on the table – because Russia, which can block any decision of the Council, will insist on bringing in its own “peacemakers” (read: will try to legalize the occupiers currently waging war in Donbas). Thus, it is best for us to have an EU mission, without any representative of the aggressor state.

The upside of this is the hope of “fixing” the line of contact of the parties and of finally achieving ceasefire. Through actions of Russia and the terrorists, new Minsk agreements joined the list of documents not worth the paper they were written on. This fact is obvious to everyone, except the merry band of Kremlin nutcases, steeped in geopolitical exclusion. The idea of a European mission makes them quake in their boots, because it would make life in Donbas so much more difficult for the “Made in Russia” meat grinder. (No wonder professional sniveler Pushilin, who spent his summer performing shamanic rituals to summon Russian “peacekeepers” to Ukraine, today became suddenly critical of the peacekeeping mission possibility. Professional jester Churkin also changed key rapidly, and started singing the same tune as Uncle Vova [Vladimir Putin]).

The downside of the possible peacekeeping mission is the guaranteed “freeze” of the conflict. For Ukraine, this means bidding a farewell to Donbas for an unspecified period of time. But in a situation where the Ukrainian General Staff, after many months, still has not learned how to wage war, and where Ukrainian generals are responsible for nothing and draw no conclusions from mistakes and failures (failing to organize the defense of the Debaltseve springboard over the course of a month – that took some doing) – perhaps this is not the worst of solutions.

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk FB

Posted in Dmitry Tymchuk, English, English News, Pictures, South&Eastern Ukraine, War in Donbas | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment