Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue actively using artillery and heavy armaments to shell the positions of Ukrainian troops as well as settlements, including those controlled by the terrorists themselves.
In the past 24 hours, militants in this sector repeatedly used cannon artillery, shooting mainly from the area of Spartak, from firing positions east of Panteleimonivka and in Donetsk – between Voronykhina and Yurjeva streets (near Shcheglovske cemetery). Over the past 24 hours, shelling was carried out by a total of four militant cannon artillery batteries and at least six self-propelled artillery guns. Fire strikes were made on advanced positions of Ukrainian troops as well as on objects and targets in the tactical midst of the ATO forces (up to 10 km inward from the separation line). The enemy is clearly trying to disrupt the ATO forces’ command and control systems in this sector.
In the Luhanske, Troitske and Zaitseve areas of the Svitlodarsk bridgehead, the enemy opened fire several times, using small arms and grenade launchers (AGS-17 and SPG-9). The fire strikes were brief, intended more to harass our troop units than to engage any targets.
The “war in the greenery” continues, with sabotage and reconnaissance missions, patrols and raids by “small groups” on both sides. In the past 24 hours, several skirmishes were observed between sabotage-reconnaissance and infantry units of both sides: between the settlements of Zolote and Orikhove (a militant sabotage-reconnaissance group stumbled upon the concealed combat security of the ATO forces); near Schastya (a firefight between patrols), and near Krymske (a militant group stealthily entered the “neutral strip,” but was spotted by Ukrainian troop look-outs, and was forced to retreat after a short skirmish involving grenade launchers).
The “sniper war” is gaining momentum. Both sides make use of individual snipers as well as specially trained sniper groups. Snipers are the most actively used in the areas ofMar’inka, Pisky, Shumy-Kirovske, Chermalyk-Shyrokyne, Novotoshkivka-Krymske, Schastya and Stanytsia Luhanska.
Militant artillery and mortar units are stepping up their activity south of Donetsk, nearHranitne and Starohnativka. The enemy is using both 82 mm and 120 mm mortars and cannon artillery. In the past 24 hours, shelling was carried out by one battery of Gvozdika 2S1 122 mm self-propelled guns (rotating with an Akatsiya 2S3 battery positioned west of Starobesheve) and one battery of 122 mm D-30 howitzers.
Militants are transferring engineering and sapper equipment to the areas of Mospyne(Prydorozhnje), Oleksandrivka and Horbatenko, to clear minefield installations. Three IMR-2 (combat engineering vehicles) and one BAT-2 (armored track layer) units have been identified in the areas. Some of the terrorist tanks deployed south of Mospyne(Byryuky – Mikhaylivka – Svitle) are being equipped with detachable mine-clearing implements and practicing to traverse passageways through minefields.
Dmitry Tymchuk, Head of the Center for Military and Political Research, Coordinator of the Information Resistance group, Member of Parliament (People’s Front)
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine