Operational data from Information Resistance
03.12.2015 - 09:43
Militants are still using artillery units and keeping them in positions on the [neutral] strip along the demarcation line, from which artillery and armored vehicles should have been withdrawn according to the Minsk agreements. Thus, the IR group’s network recorded 14 units of towed artillery and a terrorist MLRS unit (6 pieces) near Spartak (Donetsk). The latter unit was used by terrorists yesterday, 11.25.2015, to fire on the settlement ofHorlivka as a provocation.
Militants, in spite of the “ceasefire” announced by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, continued actively firing on ATO forces’ positions in several sections simultaneously (including from 82 mm and 120 mm, as well as ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, which, supposedly, have been withdrawn).
In a number of sections, terrorists continue operating at the front line and along the neutral strip in small infantry groups, from 8-10 personnel to a reinforced platoon (30 and more personnel), carrying out various tasks – from sudden precision firing on the ATO forces’ advanced positions, to reconnaissance of the Ukrainian troops’ combat lines through covert surveillance. Militants are also actively using their DRGs (sabotage and reconnaissance groups) in attempts to covertly mine the nearest approaches to ATO forces’ strongholds, checkpoints and communication lines in the nearest tactical rear, etc.
During the past 24 hours, militants repeatedly attempted to “infiltrate” small infantry groups across the line of advanced positions of Ukrainian troops (in the areas ofBolotenne, Syze, and north of Avdiivka). In the vicinity of Syze, terrorists opened fire from 82 mm mortars (3-4 units) on the ATO forces’ positions located southeast of Bolotenne (as a diversion). After that, two groups of 15-20 personnel, operating from theKhryashchivka – Berehove direction under covering fire of up to four AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers, attempted to approach Ukrainian troop positions to reach effective small arms range, and to break through between Syze and Bolotenne. Militants were stopped by the heavy small arms fire of the ATO forces’ advanced unit, and fell back to their original lines after a 30-minute firefight.
In several sections at once, militants are conducting radio reconnaissance and attempting to create radio interference to disrupt the ATO forces’ communication systems. These operations are carried out by units (groups) of specialists from among servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces.
North of Avdiivka, a platoon of militants, supported by two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and 82 mm mortars (5-6 units), attempted to advance from the direction ofShyroka Balka and in the direction of Yurivka, between two ATO forces’ strongholds south of Novhorodske. After heavily firing on the ATO forces’ positions, militants eventually fell back to the western outskirts of Shyroka Balka. IFVs provided supporting fire from their positions.
Militants also fired on the positions of the ATO forces in the vicinity of Sakhanka, Shyrokyne, Krasnohorivka, Pisky (including, in the latter two instances, from ZU-23-2), Opytne, Avdiivka (using at least three 120 mm mortars), and Novhorodske (from the on-board guns of armored vehicles and 82 mm mortars). The ATO forces’ positions near Zaitseve and Hladosove were fired on from the direction of Holmivskyi; small arms fire (including heavy machine guns) was recorded on the stretch between Troitskeand Novozvanivka. Militants used AGS-17 grenade launchers and 82 mm mortars to fire on the ATO forces’ positions near Shchastya from the direction of Vesela Hora.
In Donetsk (in the vicinity of Spartak and Donetsk International Airport), militants are rotating the units that regularly fire on and attempt to attack the ATO forces’ positions near Opytne and Pisky. According to our preliminary information, units of different gangs (“separate special purpose battalions”) will be replaced by units of the “motorized rifle brigade” of the “1st Army Corps of the DNR.” South of Stratonavtiv Street (Donetsk), militant armored equipment was spotted while changing position: four BMP-2, two BTR-80 armored personnel carriers, and one Ural truck with ZU-23-2, during the past two days. Beyond the Petrovskyi Bridge, militants are transferring mortar units in the direction of Zhylmaidanchyk [Zhilploshchadka] and Trudovski districts: three mortar units have been transferred over the past 24 hours (each containing 2-3 82 mm Vasilek 2B9 automatic mortars on a trailer).
After the militants transfer armored vehicles to the vicinity of Telmanove (see previous reports of the IR group), fuel shipments are being delivered to the same area. Five fuel tanker trucks were spotted on the march during the past 24 hours.
Repaired armored vehicles are being transferred back to militant units from their repair base in Perevalsk. An armored group consisting of such vehicles (several BTR-80 and two MT-LB) arrived in the vicinity of Zholobok, plus an armored group of five BMP-1, in the vicinity of Frunze.
Pisky. Photograph byMaia Mikhaluk
Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist troops continue actively firing at the ATO forces, using small arms (including heavy machine guns), grenade launchers, 82 mm and 120 mm mortars, anti-aircraft systems, and the on-board weapons of armored combat vehicles.
Over the past weekend [November 28-29], militants fired multiple times on
Verkhnotoretske from the direction of camouflaged positions north of
Krasnyi Partyzan, using 82 mm mortars and stand-mounted grenade launchers.
Krasnohorivka was also shelled from 82 mm mortars and small arms.
Ukrainian troop positions and civilian objects [targets] in the vicinity of
Avdiivka(including its eastern outskirts and “
Staraya Avdiivka“) were shelled from ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns and 120 mm mortars. At first, fire from small arms, machine guns, and two ZU-23-2 came from the direction of high ground at a height of 251.2 and the wholesale farmer’s market; then, fire from 120 mm mortars came from the direction of
Kruta Balka. Also shelled were the ATO forces’ positions in the vicinity of
Pisky,
Opytne, and
Mar’inka.
Militant activity continues in the northern and northwestern outskirts of
Horlivka. The ATO forces’ positions are being shelled every day, from the direction of
Holmivskyi and
Zaitseve, as well as from militant positions north of
Mayorskiy Avtorynok[automotive market]. The fire is mainly directed at [Ukrainian] positions in the vicinity of
Dacha, Kodema, and Shumy, and at other areas adjacent to the
Horlivka – Artemivsk motorway.
Militants of the so-called “
Horlivka garrison” are actively discussing the order from the command of the “1st Army Corps of the DNR [Donetsk People’s Republic]” to transfer additional artillery and mortar units (including MLRS and self-propelled artillery units) to the
Horlivka – Debaltseve line. Rumors are still circulating about a planned offensive by Russian-terrorist troops in early December 2015. In the eastern outskirt of Horlivka, militants are bringing up weapons and armor closer to the front. A terrorist armored group (three BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, two BMP-1, and three BTR-80 armored personnel carrier) was spotted on the move.
Camouflaged militant tank in Donbas.
Militant activity was also observed in the coastal regions. In the area of
Shyrokyne – Sakhanka, militant infantry groups were observed moving in several sections at once, and small arms fire (including from heavy machine guns) was recorded.
In the vicinity of
Luhanske, Shchastya, and
Syze, militants fired from AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and small arms. Unsighted small arms fire was recorded in the vicinity of
Popasna, Krymske, south of
Chermalyk, and east of
Hnutove.
Active construction of fortifications and mine obstacles is observed in a number of sections of “DNR”-controlled territory along the demarcation line.
Armored vehicles were spotted on the move in the southern portion of the Donetsk ring highway [Kiltseva Doroha] – four BTR-80 and two BMP-2 moving in the direction of Zalisna Street (
Proletarskyi district of Donetsk).
Militants continue transferring “personnel” to the vicinity of
Irmino (at this time, it is unknown whether the purpose of the transfer is reinforcement or rotation). Militant units were observed arriving in
Novooleksandrivka and
Kalynove (in each case, a reinforced platoon to join the forces already concentrated in the area).
New militant units are being transferred through
Shakhtarsk and
Starobesheve, including for rotation of units deployed at positions between
Olenivka and
Dokuchajevsk, and further south up to
Hranitne. During the past two days, we observed up to 25 truck runs in this direction, as well as the transfer of 11 units of combat equipment (armored combat vehicles); a “motorized rifle company” (with standard equipment and weaponry) was seen transferring to an area south of
Dokuchajevsk from the direction of
Styla.
In coastal regions, in the vicinity of
Krasnoarmiiske (Novoazovsk district), militants are creating a solid fortified area in the second line of defense (the choice of location is feasible, considering the presence of a lateral road between
Krasnoarmiiske and
Bezymenne). Militant armored equipment was observed in the vicinity of Krasnoarmiiske, which militants are attempting to camouflage and entrench. 120 mm mortar camouflaged firing positions are located north of
Oktyabr; ammunition is being transferred there (three Kamaz army trucks arrived during the past 24 hours). Located closer to
Zaichenko are the camouflaged positions of a militant “motorized rifle company” (approximately 60 personnel, with two tanks, six armored combat vehicles (4 MT-LB and two BMP-2), and up to ten various trucks).
