Tag: ATO

Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary for May 14, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The bad news:

1. The first so-called “Ukrainian Round Table of National Unity” started with a farce.

The leader of the Regions Party faction [Olexander] Yefremov started threatening the government in connection with the anti-terrorist operation [ATO]. Apparently, the terrorists in the East have their own “vision,” and are concerned with the matter of “historical justice.” While the Ukrainian government, which dared to retaliate against banditry wrought under the Russian flag, is all but a band of torturers and low-lives.

It is unclear what Yefremov considers to be the “justice” that the separatists are fighting for. The right to murder, kidnap and torture people? The right to plunder and maraud? If that is the case, then their “justice” is not far removed from that of the Party of Regions. The above activities are exactly what the leaders of that party–namely, Yanukovych and his ilk–practiced during their time in power.

I have said it before and will say it again–a dialogue with the East is one thing, and a dialogue with terrorists, entirely another. The anti-terrorist operation is not directed against peaceful civilians, regardless of how critical they are of the Ukrainian government. The ATO is aimed at counteracting terrorism. Because of this fact, anything that Yefremov and his kind have to say about the actions of Ukrainian enforcers is nothing but nonsense and pure provocation.

By the way, Yefremov went further in his cynicism and hypocrisy by comparing Ukrainian special forces to Soviet troops that suppressed the uprising in Hungary in 1956. I’m not sure if he is actually insane or faking it. In Hungary, people rose up against occupiers. In Donbass, occupiers, under a foreign country’s flag, are instigating people to fight against their own country. How can a sane person compare these two cases? Such soapbox rhetoric puts to shame even [Petro] Symonenko and [Nataliya] Vitrenko [leaders of the Communist Party of Ukraine and the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, respectively, known for their pro-Russian views].

2. Separatists in Donbass threaten violence against members of election commissions and their families. In Antrazyt, Luhansk Region, the district election commission has been captured. The purpose of that is clear–sabotaging the [Presidential] elections on May 25.

As the election date draws near, we must be more and more prepared for difficult days. But I’m convinced that we will make it through. Besides, the OSCE made promises to make sure that the [Presidential] elections in Ukraine are carried out fairly, transparently, and without external interference.

3. [Acting President Olexander] Turchynov demanded that the border service explains how the self-proclaimed “people’s governor” and the leader of the Luhansk Region separatists [Valeriy] Bolotov managed to leave for Russia without any problems.

The border service replied–no one stopped him from leaving the country. Apparently, there were no reasons to prohibit [Bolotov] to cross the border.

I’m not sure whether to laugh at this or cry. Logically, one understands that in our bureaucratic country, the border service is technically in the right. But the situation, nevertheless, smells strongly of lunacy.

4. The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine estimates Ukraine’s losses from [Russia’s] annexation of Crimea at over UAH 1 trillion.

And this is just the beginning. Next, Russia will start stealing Ukrainian gas from the Black Sea shelf deposits–they [Russia] said so themselves. In the end, Putin’s Crimean hustle will be (and already is) very expensive for us.

The good news:

1. The “Ukrainian Round Table of National Unity,” again. The dialogue started, and that is a definite plus.

To be honest, personally, I’m critical of this event. For one simple reason–the East currently has no leaders who could participate in the dialogue and who have the trust of the residents of eastern regions. I hope to high heaven that I’m mistaken in this.

But the very fact that the Ukrainian government is looking for an opportunity to hear the East, and be heard by them, is an undoubtedly positive development.

2. In the Airborne Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, combat capability of five anti-aircraft missile units has been restored.

In reality, the restored amount is drastically small for a country as big as Ukraine. But we have to take the situation into account. Regretfully, we are not at liberty to present even the most general of figures here, but, suffice to say, the state of our anti-aircraft forces is nothing to write home about. Therefore, any improvement in this field is worth its weight in gold.

3. The management of one of Brussels’ municipalities did not allow the Rendezvous with Russia festival to be held on its territory. The reason [behind the refusal] was the current events in Ukraine.

In the civilized world, Russia is becoming progressively more synonymous with aggression and evil. Ukraine, on the other hand, is more and more associated with the fight for freedom and sovereignty. This is an objective reflection of reality.

4. [Myroslav] Gai, guardsman of the National Guard, and [Serhiy] Shevchuk, paratrooper of the 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade, raised the Ukrainian flag at the highest point of the town of Slavyansk [Donetsk Region]–namely, the top of the TV broadcasting tower atop Mt. Karachun.

On one hand, this flag means very little, considering how comfortable terrorists are in Slavyansk right now. On the other, it has great importance – it symbolizes that the land it flies over is ours. This land has been covered in blood of our guys, who died at the hands of infiltrating insurgents and local collaborators. And we will fight for our land.

Information Resistance, DELTA Section: If Putin talks about peace, we must prepare for war.

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

On May 7, Vladimir Putin called for armed separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk Regions to abandon the idea of holding a referendum planned for May 11. Of course, one could have rejoiced at such a statement, and dreamed that “The Great Poo” was hanging the separatists out to dry—especially in the context of a communication intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence between the Donetsk separatist [leader of the unregistered organization “Orthodox Donbass”] D. Boytsov and his “spiritual advisor” A. Barkashov from Moscow. In the communication were threatening statements from the U.S. concerning their readiness to introduce new industry sanctions against Moscow.

But there it was. As we remember, Hitler once promised Stalin that he wouldn’t attack the Soviet Union. Before the occupation of Crimea, Russian politicians, pundits and media simultaneously shuddered over the failure of Muscovy’s [Ed. –author uses historic name here out for irony] policy in Ukraine, saying “they lost the Khokhols.” The Geneva meeting was promising in and of itself, but history shows that you can’t believe a single statement from the mouths of Russian politicians, just as you can’t rely on agreements signed with them.

Against this backdrop, a special operation by Russian special forces to destroy pro-Russian citizens of Ukraine at the Trades Union House [in Odessa] calls for serious concern. Now the theme of an “Odessa Khatyn,” allegedly hosted by Ukrainian authorities and the “Right Sector,” is being actively used by Russian media (with the help of foreign experts loyal to Muscovy and the mass media) to drum into the minds of Russian residents a thesis of the genocide of “Russian compatriots” in Ukraine, which must be urgently protected. It even reaches the point of absurdity–the Russian “experts” claim that during the fire at the Trades Union House, the most trained “Pravoseki” [“Right Sector” members] managed to rape females among the pro-Russian activists. Even without going into the details of the Odessa tragedy, it’s enough to ask, “who benefited from it?”

In recent days, the Russian media began to exaggerate the necessity of introducing “peacekeeping” troops from Muscovy to eastern Ukraine, while simultaneously denying the Kremlin’s interest in such a forceful development of events in our country. For Putin, the most favorable [development] is the introduction of “peacekeepers” under the pretext of protecting “compatriots,” since direct military aggression against Ukraine will turn Russia into North Korea, and the kids of Russian politicians and businessmen will quickly be shipped out of Europe and the United States back to Muscovy. Therefore, there is the remaining option of devising an excuse, with assistance from Russian mercenaries and separatists, for the introduction of “peacekeepers” in Ukraine.

Also noteworthy is the sudden upsurge in Russian media outreach activities aimed at spreading mistrust towards Ukrainian and Western media which allegedly discredit the events in Ukraine. Such facts were not observed during the operation of the annexation of Crimea. We can assume that the Russians are [currently] being prepared for a powerful disinformation [campaign], wherein their consciousness is programmed to block out alternative sources of information.

In addition, the Russian media are actively promoting “misinformation” about the shooting of local civilians by Ukrainian security forces during the ATO [anti-terrorist operation] (including women and children) and the bombardment of residential neighborhoods in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk from artillery and military aircraft. At the same time, the following labels are used to characterize the Ukrainian government and special forces: “punishers,” “terrorists,” “killers of civilians,” “neo-Nazis,” “Fascists.”

And suddenly, against this backdrop the “Chief Bear” crawls out from its lair–it had until recently nursed its paw after another round of lies to its people–and begins to roar at the separatists in both Luhansk and Donetsk. Although in fact this wasn’t the main point of Putin’s statement, it’s important that in his statement, he:

–did not recognize the legitimacy of current Ukrainian authorities;

–exhibited an interest in putting Ukrainian authorities at the negotiating table with separatist criminals;

–pretended to be concerned with the ATO initiated by Kiev;

–accused Ukrainian authorities of conducting “punitive operations;”

–confirmed his lack of interest in the Presidential elections in Ukraine.

Thus, in view of the presence of Russian troops along Ukrainian borders, and the occupiers’ military maneuvers in Crimea on the occasion of May 9th [Victory Day], Putin’s peaceful statements are worthless. The strengthening of anti-Ukrainian hysteria by the Russian media merely reinforces that the separatists and Russian intelligence services are stepping up their subversive activities in order to create an environment for the introduction of the Muscovan “peacekeeping” contingent in the East, followed by the transformation of that part of our country into a second Transnistria. Putin and the handful of criminals that he paid off can’t hold a referendum in eastern Ukraine and also provide minimal evidence of its legitimacy–this is not Crimea. Therefore, he will use the bought cannon fodder to the maximum extent in order to demonstrate the picture of the insidiousness of “Nazis” from the “Right Sector,” who leave Yarosh business cards “on the corpses of women and children,” to the West and to his own zombified citizens.

Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary for May 13, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The bad news:

1. 13th of May is a black day in the history of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the entire country. Janury 9, 2005 is another tragic day, when eight of our guys died in Essaouira.

Today near Kramatorsk, six Ukrainian servicemen died from the division of the 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade that was ambushed. Later, one more critically wounded airborne trooper passed away.

Our guys didn’t die in open battle–the pro-Russian dogs are too cowardly for that. Moscow-managed terrorists are only able to act on the sly–from behind, in an ambush or from behind a human shield of civilians. Despicable and vile only. This is their essence.

And huge questions remain to the command on the field. Why aren’t elementary measures taken for combat troop support in the area of the ATO? Where did reconnaissance and combat security go to? These are the questions for which we don’t yet have an answer.

Meanwhile, how much more Ukrainian blood will be shed before peace comes to Ukraine–no one can say. But I truly believe and know that our guys did not die in vain. With their lives are the freedom and unity of our country paid. May they rest in peace…

2. Today’s tragedy near Kramatorsk showed that any negotiations with terrorists, about which some politicians and “experts” broadcast on about, are out of the question.

Donbas can and should engage in dialogue with those who want peace. With the same butchers and criminals who soak Ukrainian land in the blood of Ukrainians, there is only one conversation. And in this conversation, the exit wound is considerably larger than the entrance.

Air support after pro-Russian terrorist ambush.
Air support after pro-Russian terrorist ambush near Kramatorsk.

The good news:

1. The Prosecutor General’s Office will consider the question of recognizing the so-called “People’s Republic of Donetsk” and the “People’s Republic of Luhansk” terrorist organizations.

In fact, it’s long overdue. These bandit structures have little in common with Sunday schools and relief funds for homeless chipmunks. This became clear–not today, and not even yesterday. Why it took prosecutors so long to birth their current bright idea–it’s hard to say. But they finally delivered it, and glory to God.

2. The OCG [organized crime group] “Donetsk People’s Republic” announced sanctions against the United States and the European Union, to ban entry into its territory to a number of politicians.

My God, what grief, what inhumanity. Now Barack Obama will not be able to admire the waste heaps of Donbass until November of this year, while acting against him are “sanctions.” How will he survive this tragedy–it’s hard to say. We ask the State Department to vigilantly follow the U.S. president–to check, if out of desperation he might not kill himself.

Angela Merkel is much more fortunate. “Sanctions” against her act only until September. After that, she will finally be able to visit her favorite Yenakievo and enrich her spiritual world by communicating with those who at one time stole the hats of passersby with Yanukovych. The Chancellor got lucky, what can I say.

In fact, the more the separatists show their inadequacy and stupidity, exposing themselves in an anecdotal light, the better. Maybe the Donbass residents will finally understand with what degenerates they are dealing.

3. Internal “disputes” amongst the separatists went ahead at full speed. Leaders of different groups are trying to determine which one of them is the next emperor of another Donbass hamlet. It’s an African Republic with them–the constant coups d’etat.

In the rush, the self-proclaimed “people’s Governor” of Luhansk, Valeriy Bolotov, almost got wiped out (although these updates by “truthful” Russian media remind one more of a propagandist show-off).

Whatever it was, let them bite. Spiders in a jar is a great representation of these gentlemen.

Dmitry Tymchuk: Regarding “Akhmetov scenario” for Donbass

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The Metinvest Group of Mr. Rinat Akhmetov has called on Ukrainian authorities to stop the ATO–in particular, the operation in Mariupol. “We believe that Ukrainian servicemen, as well as other armed people, should immediately leave the city,” announced the Akhmetov group. Metinvest also stated that “to maintain order in Mariupol, the Metinvest Group, together with the municipal police, will create people’s squads from among the employees of the metallurgical works.”

This scenario can be called nothing but provocation. Here’s why:

First of all, Mr. Akhmetov, a businessman, has no legal rights to form a private army. It would be inaccurate to compare this with the activity of the governors of Ukrainian Regions. The latter have the right to participate in the formation of units of territorial defense, which are created under the law “On approval of the Presidential Decree,” “On partial mobilization,” and the Presidential Decree “On approval of the regulations on the territorial defense of Ukraine.” Thus, these territorial defense units are always included in the legitimate armed forces of Ukraine.

Metinvest, on the other hand, would create some undefined “people’s squads,” which have no legal status and will probably be subject to Mr. Akhmetov only. In this case, it’s unclear how Akhmetov’s “squads” are different from pro-Russian terrorist groups in Donbass in terms of the Act.

Second, the reasons by which Metinvest does not recognize the rights of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and other similar organizations to provide lawfulness and order in Donbass as a territory of the Ukrainian state, or explain why Akhmetov’s private army would have more rights to conduct such enforcement, are unclear.

Third, Metinvest advocates the withdrawal of “Ukrainian military and other armed individuals” from Mariupol. At the same time, it advocates for full control in the city by its “teams.” If these “teams” are armed, then it’s unclear where Metinvest obtained the weapons, and on what grounds it distributed them among civilians. If they are not armed, then the use of such “teams” against armed terrorists in the city is a provocation.

Fourth, the Metinvest statement about Akhmetov’s “teams” being formed “jointly with municipal police” is absolutely unclear. What type of “municipal police” are they talking about? The local Interior Ministry officials that pander to terrorists and are traitors? What right do they have to participate in the creation of armed formations not stipulated by Ukrainian legislation?

Overall, we’d like to state the following: the Metinvest announcement is absolutely incomprehensible and provocative. We observe that Mr. Akhmetov, just like some other Donbas oligarchs, is imposing his ideal scenario on Ukraine. Very important questions arise regarding this scenario, primarily of their adherence to the national interests of Ukraine.

Dmitry Tymchuk: ATO successfully continues

Source: Dmitry Tymchuk Facebook

According to operational data from ‘Inforesist’ the tactics at the current stage of the ATO is very successful.

Nine terrorist checkpoints were eliminated in Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Krasnyi Lyman. SBU optimized the layout of their checkpoints in order to prevent mutineers’ movement in the region. Also the base of the terrorists was destroyed near Krasnyi Lyman.

SBU also reports about high efficiency of the latest Ukrainian armored transporters BTR-4E, which were recently assigned to the needs of ATO.

ATO  continues.

Terrorists on TV tower in Slovyansk

translation:Kastytis Rimkevicius

According to recent data from “Information Resistance” group, tonight and in the morning there were attacks made by terrorists on TV tower in Slovyansk (object at this time is protected by Ukrainian law enforcers).

Attacks allegedly made ​​by mortars.

Two security men were injured – one wounded, the second got shrapnel wounds.

“IR” http://sprotyv.info/news/235-v-slavyanske-obstrelyali-televyshku

Concerning the situation in East Ukraine on May 10th

dmitry_tymchukA report by “Info Resistance” group, concerning the situation in East Ukraine on May 10th.

Concerning the progress of ATO

Yesterday events in Mariupol revealed that actions of structure forces finally became adequate.
The heads of divisions of force structures participating in ATO demonstrate abilities to quickly react and give orders which correspond to the tactical situation.

Soldiers managed to cross the psychological barrier of using weapons, which used to arise in direct confrontations with the terrorists. (Taking into account the interests of force structures, we did not mention this problem previously, although, during ATO, it was one of the more serious ones.)

The effectiveness of the National Guard and the Internal army (especially its special-tasks squads) must be stressed. Today, it’s the only unit that does not raise any questions about its activities.

The effectiveness of volunteer units is also impressive (we mean the defence battalion “Dniepr” which was formed by volunteers from Dnepropetrovsk region and came to Mariupol on May 8th). High fighting spirit of volunteers was obvious. It also worth noting that the actions of their commanders were very professional, as they managed to quickly orientate and organize a coordination between units.

The weak link in the chain of defence against terorrists is still the law and order structures. There, the scale of sabotage and betrayal is global. This is one of the most pressing problems and for now there are no obvious solutions to it.

The situation on the border between Ukraine and Russia remains very tense. To effectively resist the entry of Russian sabotage groups and weapons to Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian border guard lacks additional human power, means and aid from other force structures. From this perspective, particularly bad situation is in the regions of Lugansk and Donetsk.

Concerning the capacities of terrorists

For at least two weeks, in terrorists units in the East, we observed mass replacement of soldiers from GRU special forces squads with mercenaries from Russia. First of all, its reserve soldiers, most of whom have served in special forces units and have experience of fighting (e.g. in Caucasus).

Recruitment of such quite professional mercenaries is carried out by the government of Russia in the whole country. According to our information, during the last three weeks, even in Khabarovsk, military recruitment centers recalled experienced reserve soldiers (who served in squads of special forces) and offered them good wages for coming to Ukraine and participating in terrorist activities. This is especially prominent in the Southern federal region of Russian Federation.

At the same time, weapons are conveyed from Russia to terrorist groups in Donbas, in a large scale.
It is also dangerous that in the background of destabilization, enterprises in Donbas are halting and unemployment is on the rise. Many local residents find the wage (100 USD per day) for participation in terrorist actions completely acceptable.

Effective Russian propaganda (exaggeration of the mythical danger of the Right Sector, spreading of stereotypes about Ukraine as a fascist country full of banderovtsy, stories about illegitimacy of the current Ukrainian government, dishonoring of Ukrainian force structures and ATO as if they were “blood-thirsty suppressors of the people’s revolt”, etc.) is also an important factor in the destabilization of situation in the region. The growth of effectivity of false Russian propaganda was observed after the tragic events of May 2nd in Odessa.

As has already been mentioned, the general analysis of the situation (first of all, in Donetsk) has shown that there still remain many questions concerning local police. Sadly, its members are often saboteurs and traitors living on the goods of the nation which they betray.

These “guardians of law and order” are a serious resource for extremist forces. Further service of these traitors in the Ministry of Internal Affairs is a grave danger for the national interests. In the case of their mass dismissal, we predict them joining terrorist groups where they will continue their anti-Ukrainian actions. The only difference being the money from Moscow.

Situation in Mariupol 17:30

17:30 Situation in Mariupol is now calm. Special forces squad “Azov” has retaken the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Previously terrorists had captured its ground and first floor. Afterwards it left the town. However, there are still armed and drunk terrorists in town. Insider report.

They have taken the dead and the wounded. At the same time firefighters finished putting out the fire in burning buildings.

According to a journalist, there is no governance in town. The mayor of Mariupol ran away after the first shot was fired and no one knows where he is. Militia is afraid to retake the buildings. Therefore, the situation may still get worse.

Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary – May 8, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

I apologize for posting our summary a little earlier today, for organizational reasons. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen by the end of today. If something good happens–please.

The bad news:

1. In Luhansk and Donetsk, the pro-Russian clowns, who loudly announced themselves as ‘National Councils’ (although ‘alcoholic interest clubs’ or ‘Putin’s money fan clubs’ would be more appropriate) have nevertheless decided to hold their show named ‘referendum on independence’ in these Regions.

Tonight, good people burned to hell over a million prepared blank forms in the printing shops of Donbass. But Moscow has money in bulk. They will print out more.

In general, after the upcoming exacerbation on May 9, [people] should prepare for events after May 11, when this very ‘referendum’ is scheduled. This scenario is known from [events in] Crimea: just under 100% of the population will ‘vote’ for ‘independence’ and Uncle Vova [diminutive for Vladimir Putin] will tend to the ‘protection of people’s will’ thereafter.

If we don’t stop this separatist circus now, it will be much more difficult to do it later.

2. An armored ‘Tiger’ vehicle broke through the border checkpoint from Russia–a ‘gift’ to separatism from [controversial Russian politician, Vladimir] Zhirinovsky. Then, it traveled through Luhansk.

What an outrageous occurrence. But here, I’d like to share our common alarming observations in general.

Yes, the overall reliability of the Ukrainian-Russian border protection in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions is questionable. On the one hand, nobody has cancelled corruption. But a far greater problem is that the border control officers do not have significant forces and capabilities to cope with large extremist groups or, as in this case, with armored vehicles, on their own.

This is–the task for other law enforcement agencies, which should reinforce the ‘border guards.’ If there is no cooperation, then we won’t be able to resolve the border issue.

3. Today, Putin has gathered the Presidents of his satellite countries from the Collective Security Treaty Organization–Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. He decided to show them the ‘Potemkin’ exercises of the Russian troops. They rolled out serious weaponry–a heavy flame thrower system TOS-1. Gave the command to open fire.

And… pshik… zilch. Nothing happened.

If I were a Russian, I would be concerned by the fact that their miracle leader who only has tanchiki [diminutive for tanks] in mind also has a nuclear button. If this maniac, preparing to fight with the whole world, decides to use it, there will be no Urals anymore. Moscow Region will cease to exist, too. For the arms of valiant Russian warriors do not grow out of the same place that all normal people’s arms grow.

The bad thing about this is that Putin doesn’t intend to impress the world with high-tech, efficient farming or Russian culture. This insane individual can do nothing else but rattle a saber. Even if it doesn’t always perform.

The good news:

1. The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Andrey Parubiy has announced that yesterday’s statement by Putin to postpone the ‘referendum’ by Ukrainian separatists–is a political scam.

The Ukrainian government is well aware that Putin’s words are lies backed by nothing else except nefarious plans to lull Kiev’s alertness. And this means that the anti-terrorist operation [ATO] will continue for as long as Ukrainian terrorists don’t rest. In detention center or on the long-suffering land of Donbass.

It’s obvious there is nothing good about Putin’s lie. But the fact that the Ukrainian government doesn’t believe in it, and is ready to continue to save Ukraine–is a definite plus.

2. By lunchtime today, we ended the monitoring of regional preparation for possible provocations that may take place tomorrow, May 9. If the overall forecast is not very reassuring, then it at least gives us hope.

Yes, there are a lot of weaknesses. But in general, the security forces and local authorities have taken measures to ensure that a tragedy like the events in Odessa on May 2 won’t be repeated.

Of course, we can’t make any promises. And we don’t expect that Victory Day will go smoothly. We must be ready for anything–especially those of us in Donbass.

3. On the eve of Victory Day, Russian social media broadcast information that in the Alexander Garden in the Kremlin, the only stele dedicated to the Hero cities in the heart of Moscow that remained without flowers–was the stele of Kiev.

Just a couple of hours after this message, the stele of the Hero city of Kiev was inundated with flowers.

There are adequate people still left in Moscow. Thank you to them. After all, Victory Day is our common holiday. And we, the IR group, would like to congratulate all of you, my brothers and sisters, with it!

And [a couple of words] for the future. We defeated Hitler’s Nazism, and we will defeat Putin’s Nazism.