Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas are showing little activity in terms of shelling and armed provocations. At the same time, they have focused on conducting intelligence operations (mainly using sabotage-reconnaissance troops and small infantry groups) in an attempt to “discover” the configuration of the ATO forces across the full depth of their operational formations. In some cases, these initiatives do not end particularly well for the terrorists.
Specifically, south of Avdiivka, a militant infantry group (28-30 men) advanced towards one of the Ukrainian troop strongholds – after previously dividing into several smaller groups, entering the “greenery” in the neutral zone, and taking up positions for observation. After a while, one of the smaller groups opened unaimed fire on ruins in the neutral zone, where no human presence was evident. The other smaller groups provided intense supporting fire for their “comrades,” revealing their positions. These groups then turned their fire on Ukrainian troop positions and retreated, while behaving in a tactically sound manner: forming a vanguard, and leaving a covering fire group (rear guard) behind. The purpose of this “operation” remains unclear.
Later, militants opened fire on the ATO forces’ positions in the area, twice, using small arms. The terrorists were observed to be using rocket-propelled grenades.
Similarly, the ATO forces’ positions near the settlement of Opytne came under fire from small arms and 82 mm mortars.
A defense line in the militants’ second echelon is being formed, along the Telmanove motorway (settlements of Vasylivka, Sontseve, Rozdolne). In the area of the Rozdolne, terrorists are actively equipping two new strongholds. Combat equipment here comprises twelve armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles, kept in the open (camouflaged), and five tanks at different positions.
A terrorist armored group (four tanks and ten armored fighting vehicles), which had previously operated near the settlements of Mar’inka and Krasnohorivka, was observed being withdrawn deep into Donetsk. At the moment, this group’s armored vehicles have been dispersed throughout various locations: yards of residential homes, indoor workshops of industrial facilities, warehouses,etc.
Militants are pulling up armored vehicles to the stretch between the settlements of Raivka and Zhovte. Over the past two days, a tank group has been moved here, transferred in stages during night-time, four to five tanks at a time.
A militant tank company (seven tanks) earlier transferred to the vicinity of Pervomaisk, has been moved towards Bryanka. During the journey, two tanks broke down due to technical problems beyond Irmino [ed. note: also known as Teplohirsk], before reaching Stakhanov.
Near Debaltseve, the Russian military have set up a new control point, using two container trucks that had arrived in a convoy of ten trucks accompanied by four APCs. An artillery unit comprising three 120-mm “Nona” 2S9 self-propelled guns, accompanied by two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and one BTR-D armored personnel carrier, has been transferred to the same area.
Source: http://maidantranslations.com/
