Separatists again shell Ukrainian positions with heavy weapons

As soon as the weather warmed up in Ukraine, separatists in Donbas returned heavy weapons withdrawn under the Minsk agreements to their previous positions. Throughout the Easter days, Ukrainian positions were subjected to massive shelling. This is reported by our military, volunteers, and residents of the shelled areas. Dmitry Tymchuk also confirmed this information.

«Оперативные данные группы «Информационное Сопротивление». (Operational data from the "Information Resistance" group.)

Russian-terrorist forces in Donbas continue to shell Ukrainian military positions and civilian objects, actively using, in addition to small arms, weapon systems that are supposed to be withdrawn from the line of contact in accordance with the Minsk agreements. In particular, during 12–13 April (over two days), terrorists used 120-mm mortars, 122-mm artillery (D-30 howitzers and 2S1 "Gvozdika" self-propelled guns), and armoured vehicles (T-72BA and T-64B tanks, as well as armoured personnel carriers – BMP-2 and BTR-80). In addition, mounted anti-personnel and anti-tank grenade launchers (AGS-17, RPG-9), heavy machine guns, and anti-aircraft guns (such as the ZU-23-2) were used.

A sharp increase in separatist reconnaissance activity was noted in the Luhansk direction. In particular, over two days, at least 11 flights of separatist UAVs were recorded in the area of the settlements of Krymske, Novotoshkivka, Shchastye, Trehizbenka, and Sokolynky. Enemy UAV flights were also recorded northeast of Severodonetsk (in the Starobelsk area), although it is currently unknown from which direction this "drone" was launched (from the occupied zone or from Russian territory across the state border). At least four attempts by terrorist sabotage-reconnaissance groups (SRGs) to penetrate into the tactical depth of Ukrainian military formations were recorded in the Severodonetsk direction, and one such attempt was recorded in the area of the settlement of Shchastye.

On the night of 12 to 13 April, in the area of the settlements of Pesky and Vodyane, Ukrainian military positions were attacked by "roaming" terrorist tanks (previously, these positions had been shelled by separatist BMP-2s using 30-mm automatic cannons, with a fire group of three BMP-2s operating). Judging by the accuracy and range of fire, the separatists used a T-72BA equipped with new Russian "night" sights; the advance to the firing position and subsequent withdrawal were covered by fire from a T-64B tank and a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft gun.

On 13 April, terrorists repeatedly subjected Ukrainian military positions to mortar fire in the area of the settlements of Pesky (including from 120-mm mortars), Avdiivka, Shirokyne, Hranitne, Opytne, and the Dutovka mine (the use of BMP-2s and BTR-80s was recorded).

In the area of the Donetsk settlement (in the Luhansk direction), tactical groups of Russian-terrorist forces attempted to infiltrate deep into the combat formations of Ukrainian troops. An enemy fire group, using small arms and grenade launchers, attempted to cover the passage of another group through the seam between the positions of two Ukrainian units. However, the advance of this group was noticed in time by Ukrainian servicemen, fire was opened, and its movement into the depth of our combat formations was stopped, after which both separatist groups retreated to their original line.

During 12–13 April, the movement of 33 transport units in supply columns for Russian-terrorist force formations was recorded. The columns mainly followed the "northern" route (24 units passed through Alchevsk and Krasny Luch to Debaltseve). Attention is drawn to the significant number of special vehicles and vehicles with special block sections containing various equipment in the transport columns (at least 1/3). A substantial decrease in the number of fuel tankers in the columns is also observed.

Regarding the movement of units and combat equipment of Russian-terrorist forces:

- The transfer of armoured vehicles via Luhansk and further via the separatist-controlled section of the Bakhmut highway towards Ukrainian military positions in the area of Novotoshkivka, Krymske, and Trehizbenka continues. Over two days, separatists moved seven armoured vehicles in this manner (initially four units – two tanks and two BMP-1s, then three units – two tanks and one BTR-80), as well as 12 transport units (including three fuel tankers). Attention is drawn to the fact of active use by separatists in the area of Novotoshkivka and checkpoint No. 29 of engineering equipment and the conduct of fortification works (possibly demonstrative).

- The concentration of terrorist personnel and combat equipment in the area of Dokuchaivsk – Telmanove continues. The establishment of new positions behind the settlement of Starobeshevo towards the settlements of Nova Laspa and Dokuchaivsk was recorded. In total, over one day, the movement of six armoured personnel carriers (mainly MT-LBs with "Shтурм-S" anti-tank guided missile systems) into this area was recorded, as well as six tanks (from the composition of a tank company included in the mechanised battalion deployed southeast of Dokuchaivsk, which the IS group previously reported on), and a significant amount of motor transport.

- Another batch of armoured vehicles arrived in the composition of the Yasinovataya group of Russian-terrorist forces (four tanks and six armoured personnel carriers).

- In the Kyiv district of Donetsk, separatists transferred two tanks that had undergone repair.

- Towards Horlivka via Yenakiyeve, a separatist unit on four BTR-80s and three cargo trucks passed (according to preliminary data, the motor transport was carrying modernised Russian anti-tank guided missile systems, the type is being determined).

- Along the "southern" route (via Sniatne – Shakhtarsk – Zughres), a column of combat equipment passed on the night of 12 to 13 April. According to preliminary data, an incomplete battery of "Tor-M1" surface-to-air missile systems was being transferred", writes Dmitry Tymchuk.

 

It has been said on multiple occasions that separatists are preparing an offensive, but when this will happen can only be guessed at for now.