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positions on the [neutral] strip along the demarcation line, from which artillery and armored vehicles should have been withdrawn according to the Minsk agreements.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simultaneously (including from 82 mm and 120 mm, as well as ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, which, supposedly, have been withdrawn).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 by Maia Mikhaluk
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
