Operational data from Information Resistance:
Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue to flagrantly violate the ceasefire by shelling the positions of Ukrainian troops. The enemy mainly uses small arms, and occasionally, mortars and other heavy infantry armaments; in several instances, armored vehicles and artillery were used.
The terrorists continue to enhance their advanced positions, as well as set up their starting positions and areas of concentration. Similar efforts have been observed in the seaside (Mariupol) direction, in the areas southeast of Horlivka, in the western sector south of Donetsk, and on the Shchastya – Stanytsia Luhanska stretch. The enemy widely uses specialized army-issue engineering equipment moved from the Russian Federation, as well as equipment seized from regional plants and organizations (both state- and privately owned).
During the last three days, Russian-terrorist troops rapidly increased their reconnaissance efforts throughout the entire ATO zone. The enemy employs a full range of reconnaissance forces and equipment – from drones and radio intelligence, to sabotage and reconnaissance groups. We have reports of two radio intelligence centers operating in the area between Telmanove and Horlivka, and several command and control points being set up to the north of Luhansk and on the Stakhanov – Pervomaisk stretch.
The Alchevsk – Pervomaisk formation of Russian-terrorist forces has been reorganized. While, at the beginning of March most of this group consisted of Russian mercenaries and military servicemen, today it is largely staffed by local ‘DNR’ [Donetsk People’s Republic] insurgents. A mobile command point (7 specialized vehicles, including command and staff vehicles and mobile communication centers) has arrived in Alchevsk to conduct tactical control of this group.
A regrouping of Russian-terrorist units has been observed in several areas. North of Debaltseve, units of the ‘DNR army’ are being rotated – most of them are withdrawn to the Horlivka – Yenakijeve area, and replaced by several joint tactical groups transferred from the south (at least two company tactical groups have been transferred, including up to 7 tanks and 24 AFVs, and anti-tank weaponry).
The Russian-terrorist battalion tactical group deployed in the Dokuchajevsk – Starobesheve area has received 8 armored vehicles (including 2 tanks) as reinforcements. Some of the equipment that supports this battalion tactical group of the artillery group has been withdrawn deeper inside insurgent positions; however, some 40% of its weapons remain on the enemy advanced positions (including 8 BM-21 multiple rocket launcher systems, a 6-gun D-30 howitzer battery, and 5 2S21 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery guns). The artillery squads are spread out and thoroughly camouflaged. Radio intelligence centers are also working hard in this area.
The situation remains tense in the seaside (Mariupol) sector. The Russian-terrorist tactical group concentrated to the north and northeast of Novoazovsk continues receiving reinforcements of equipment and personnel (6 towed artillery units and 1 Strela – 10M anti-aircraft system were delivered to this tactical group, through Maksymovo). In this sector, the enemy continues shelling the positions of the ATO forces, in an attempt to push Ukrainian forces further back towards Mariupol. The enemy employs the tactic of “wandering” tanks and mortar details (in most cases, mortars are installed on off-road vehicles; we observed at least 6 such details, and 3-4 “wandering” tanks from the advance group that is part of the Russian-terrorist Novoazovsk battalion tactical group). An armored group from the same battalion tactical group has been spotted near Bezimenne (4 tanks and 3 ACVs).
In the Kuibyshivskyi and Petrovskyi districts of Donetsk, the insurgents continue to redistribute the combat equipment that remains in this area. 5 more tanks were transferred from the vicinity of Opytne to the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk.
The terrorist artillery group allegedly “withdrawn” from the vicinity of Pervomaisk (approximately 22 self-propelled and cannon artillery units operated by several squads) has been actually transferred to another section of the “front” and deployed near Chornukhyne. The insurgent rocket artillery unit previously stationed near Alchevsk has been moved to an area west of Luhansk.
The insurgents continue working hard to replenish their resources, with a particular focus on fuel and ammunition. Over the last two days, the arrival of six supply convoys has been observed from the Russian territory, including two special trains (8 railway cars in each, headed for Debaltseve and Illovaisk).
