Operational data from Information Resistance:
During the “Easter ceasefire,” Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas sharply decreased their firing activity, without entirely ceasing armed provocations and shellings. In addition to small arms, militants deployed 120 mm mortars at least once; the use of ZU-23-2 was also recorded. Terrorists are using UAVs increasingly often, [for reconnaissance] as well as for attack: a strike drone was used against one of the Ukrainian troop positions. During the holidays [April 30 – May 2], the enemy at the front line repeatedly opened small arms fire. The fire was mainly unsighted and used tracer ammunition. The enemy also used signal ammunition and hand grenades (several explosions were recorded in the neutral zone).
In particular, in the vicinity of Staromykhailivka, militants fired on the ATO forces’ strongholds north of Krasnohorivka and near Nivelske, using 120 mm mortars from positions north of Lozove and north of Dzhankoiska Street [Donetsk]. (Several dozen mortar rounds were fired with a large spread – it is likely that the terrorists’ mortar details were either intoxicated or were purposefully carrying out “harassing fire.”)
Near the village of Rozsadky, militants opened fire from machine guns (including heavy ones) several times, from the direction of Nyzhnje Lozove and Polyove.
A terrorist mobile fire group with a platform-mounted ZU-23-2 was operating from the direction of Staromarivka, firing in the direction of the ATO forces’ strongholds and observation points north and south of Hranitne. This group opened fire from a ZU-23-2 and small arms several times, changing position. It also provided cover fire for militants’ use of underbarrel grenade launchers.
In the vicinity of Shyrokyne, militants fired erratically and used signal rockets.
Militants continue preparing for the ATO forces’ mythical offensive. A classified instruction was sent to the intelligence departments and units of both militant “army corps,” alerting them of the “…need to reinforce efforts in the operational-tactical zone due to the obvious signs of the enemy’s (IR note: the Ukrainian Armed Forces) preparation for a large-scale offensive.” Due to this, terrorist reconnaissance efforts increased in several sections at once (increased numbers of lookouts at the front line, and intensified agent intelligence in liberated territories; the agents are tasked with scouting out locations of the ATO forces’ command points, major railway stations, and the movement of vehicles along the main roads). At the same time, rumors are circulating among militants that the “1st AC” command made a decision to intensify combat in the Mairupol and Horlivkadirections of operations in the next few weeks, in order to “repel the Ukrainian Army attacks.”
In Donetsk, the “DNR Ministry of State Security” continues actively searching for the ATO forces’ “liquidator groups.” According to the “Ministry,” Ukrainian special forces and the SBU sent in several “special groups” before the start of the May holidays, tasked with physically eliminating “the DNR leaders.” Due to this, the “border control” and patrols in residential areas have been tightened, and companies, organizations, and private residences are being more frequently subjected to searches.
In the coastal regions, terrorists are pursuing active efforts to prevent a beachside landing of ATO forces’ DRGs and units. During the past week, militants were using reconnaissance equipment near Bezimenne (Novoazovskyi district) to scan the Azov Sea waters for vessels. Earlier, militants had shut down navigation and banned all vessels from sailing in the Novoazovskyi district, from 25.04.2016 onward.
After completing military coordination exercises, a number of artillery units of the “LNR 2nd AC” are moving from the “training centers” (namely, “Lutuhyne camps”) to their permanent stations. Three cannon artillery batteries (mainly D-30 and D-30A 122 mm guns) and their support units transferred through Luhansk.
Source: https://maidantranslations.com
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