Donbass Situation Report, July 27, 2014 Original: Colonel Cassad LiveJounalTranslated from Russian by Gleb Bazov Briefing about the situations at the front in the DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic] and the LPR [Lugansk People’s Republic] as July 27, 2014. LPR The situation near Lugansk remains stable. The frontlines to the north of the city have stabilized, and the offensive there has petered off. The attempts to punch through a corridor to
First, I want to begin by posting the video of an important statement made by Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov who is calling the USA’s bluff and challenging those who made accusations against the Novorussian Resistance and Russia to show their evidence. A special thank you! to the fantastic translator teams who managed to translate and subtitle this video in less than a day: you guys are literally providing
Besides the apparently devastating attack on a Ukie armored column, there are several important development which have recently taken place which I feel must be reported here: Alexander Khodakovskii 1) With Strelkov’s return to Donetsk, order and unity of command in the Resistance forces have apparently been restored and the disagreements between Strelkov and Alexander Khodakovskii (ex-commander of the Donetsk “Alpha” unit) settled.2) In a joint press conference, Igor Strelkov
Yesterday I wrote “hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and settle for anything in the middle”. Today, and while it is way too early to make any kind of definitive judgments, I feel that I can say with some confidence that the worst has not happened and that, in fact, there are signs that the Ukrainian offensive has, so far, yielded no useful results.I have not heard from
It appears that the ceasefire has had a bigger impact on the big cities of Lugansk and Donetsk than in the smaller cities on the frontline like Slaviansk or Kramatorsk were combat operations have apparently continued. Furthermore, as Juan has reported, Ukrainian troops are further being resupplied and reinforced. The junta’s Minister of Defense has officially confirmed that the notorious “Battalion Aidar” death-squad, which had been wiped out by the
When I heard this morning that Putin had asked the Federation Council to repeal the resolution on the use of Russian armed forces on the territory of Ukraine I was frankly baffled. Truly, I had not expected such a move. I had noticed yesterday that the so-called “consultations” (as opposed to “negotiations”) between the Russian Ambassador to Ukraine Mikhail Zurabov, a senior representative for the OSCE Tagliavini, Ukraine’s second president
Combat SITREP by Juan: I can not tell all details of our operations in Novorossiya. Operation security is practiced. Our situation is not desperate but is very difficult and fluid. We will win, then we will rebuild what Ukraine has destroyed. We are paying the price of freedom with the blood of our soldiers and civilians. The price is heavy. 1. Strong fighting areas of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Donetsk City outer
Combat SITREP by Juan 1. Nats Army offer of civilian evacuation corridors rejected. Corridors led only west in to national guard/right sector unit areas and demanded self defense units disarm and surrender. 2. Continuing heavy bombardment of Slavyansk and outlying areas. Confirmed 4 children under age 10 killed last 3 days. Living areas and industry areas targeted including 15.2 cm howitzers and Grad. 3. краснолиманскому area confirmed 2 Grad units
1. Confirmed view live stream Grad missile battery firing salvos outskirts Slavyansk early morning 08.08.2014 2. Reports of Russian armored columns crossing in the Novorossiya at sunup 08.06.2014 are false. 3. Strong bombardment of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk still. Ukraine tanks firing in to living areas both cities as part of bombard. 4. Civilian casualties reported from on going artillery attack Slavyansk, 15.2 cm howitzer and 12.2 cm mortar in use
Question by The Saker: Did the Border Control Headquarters really fall to Donbas Army? Juan’s reply: Yes, done deal since yesterday morning. Lots of vids showing Donbas Army allowing the prisoners to leave after they changed in to civilian clothes and some vids showing Donbas Army going through the building and armories. Found was a got a ton of weapons and ammo including RPG’s and MG’s, at least two BTR’s in
1. Commo around Slavyansk is busy with reports of much movement of Nats forces. 2. Semenovka is under continuous bombardment since 07:00 06.06.2014. Vast areas are destroyed. Grad missiles are used but not in salvo. 15.2 cm howitzers and 12.2 cm mortars plus heavy field guns and tank cannon. 3. Lugansk City proper is under air attack 18:05 06.06.2014. At least 2 Su25 aircraft attacked living areas. Casualties unknown. 4.
No sleep from 05:00 02.06. Please excuse spelling mistakes. During a protest near Lviv in west Ukraine by women demanding the return of their conscripted sons and husbands the women were beaten by Tyagnibok’s Svoboda Party operatives. Two women are in hospital. Artillery fire commenced against the town of Severodonetsk 04:20 local time. Slavyansk and Kramatorsk heavy fighting resumed dawn today. 3 enemy BTR’s destroyed before dawn 03 June 2014
Combats SITREP from “Juan” Igla-S man protable anti aircraft missiles were found ‘abandoned’ beside a country road’ by Donbas Army, confirmed. Quantity unknown. A video of a Ukrainian Sukhoi ground attack plane being shot down 30 May is extant. No verification of the incident by witness account from a crash sight. The pilot ejecting is visible on the video. Ternopol: Some government buildings have been taken by the people, one
Seemyovka, Slavyansk, Kromatorsk and Donetsk City are under heavy artillery bombardment and aircraft bombing attacks for 2 hours and continuing. Civilian areas targeted. Civilian casualties are mounting, Donbas Army casualties unknown. Data provided 25 Brigade located on Karachun Mountain overlooking Slavyansk has been order to fire Grad systems early morning 31 May 2014 in full salvo. 3 launchers in place. Commander refused the order and was removed. Systems have been
1. Sporadic and heavy at times fighting around Slavyansk and the outlying villages on 29 May with no notable successes for the Nats Army and national guard units. Some losses reported for the national guard units. 2. A half battery of Grad missile launchers, BM-21, is in position within range of Mariupol. As of this morning that unit has not fired. Range of Grad missile is up to 35 kilometers.
Introduction: the broader background to the Ukrainian crisis Before looking at the latest developments in the Ukraine, I think that it is important to at least mention two major developments involving Russia. First, Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus have signed the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and they will soon be joined by Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Second, China has officially called for a new security alliance with Russia and Iran thereby proving
Residential areas of Slavyansk shelled by mortars and artillery starting at 11:00 local time. School #13 in Slavyansk was hit by a 12.2 cm mortar shell. School is also used as a kindergarten. 9 civilians injured including a 4 year old boy. Unknown if the casualties were at the school or in other areas under bombardment. Very strong fighting commenced approximately 15:30 local time in the area of Donetsk Airport
Heavy bombardment at night and early morning in Rubezhnoye in Lugansk Oblast. Civilian casualties unknown. More scattered fighting and probes around Slavyansk last night and this morning. Donetsk residents are actively assisting the Fed units in building barricades on city streets and setting up fighting positions. Reports of more fighting in the Donetsk Airport area last night and dawn this morning. Terminal at Donetsk Airport heavily damaged in the fighting
Tanks are on the move west of Slavyansk, destination unknown, at least a Rota (Company, ergo 16 tanks if at full strength, which is doubtful. Normally any serving tank Rota will be at 75% max at any given time as tanks are under repair, and normally 60%. Under combat conditions it is 50% or less.) with accompanying support units such as BTR’s and BMP’s plus infantry. Unit unknown. Unconfirmed information
First, a “SITREP from the front lines” by “Juan” Donetsk Airport freight terminal is burned and partly destroyed. Kiev is believed to be in control of the airport at this time. Damage to the terminal building is unknown. The attempt to seize Donetsk Airport was reinforced by Vostok Brigade. Casualties were heavy in the brigade but numbers unknown. The Vostok Brigade wounded being transported to hospital in a truck were
