Volunteer aerial reconnaissance team handed over to InformNapalm community new images of a large build-up of weapons and equipment amassed by the Russian occupation forces in Donbas. InformNapalm OSINT investigators analyzed the images and identified all pieces of the weaponry and equipment. UAVs captured on photo a reinforced battalion tactical group of the Russian occupation forces. Several models of the spotted military equipment clearly point to their Russian origin.
See also: The Aggressor’s Arsenal – Russian tanks, armored vehicles and artillery in Eastern Ukraine
The photo demonstrates 20 T-64BV and T-72B main battle tanks (MBTs) of earlier modifications (essential armament is a 125 mm canon), 25 BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), 4 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled howitzers (essential armament is a 122 mm canon), 5 BTR-80 armored personnel carriers (APCs), one 9K35 Strela-10 surface-to-air missile system (SAM) mounted on an armored vehicle and other types of equipment
Image’s geolocation: South-western outskirts of Chystiakove (formerly Torez), Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Coordinates: 47°59’26.1″N 38°36’17.0″E.
Another image also shows Russian truck mounted wound dressing room (AP-2) that earlier appeared in OSINT investigation of InformNapalm when it was spotted 3 km from the industrial zone of Avdiivka in August 2016.
However, the biggest surprise came when we saw two UR-77 Meteorite mine clearing vehicles that remain exclusively in service of the Russian Army. Besides mine clearing, UR-77 is also used to defeat manpower in the fortified building ruins. This additional use of the equipment was documented in the Second Chechen campaign and during the assault of Donetsk Airport by Russian forces in Donbas. UR-77 were also used during the assaults of fortified positions in Jobar District of Damascus (Syria).
In addition to identification of the equipment and detailed analysis of the original aerial images,
InformNapalm also found supporting photo and video evidence on the social network pages of Russian militants who were stationed at the sector close to the military firing range near Chistiakove.
The photo shows a convoy of 20 tanks spotted in the specified area.
These aerial images prove that neither both Minsk agreements, nor any other sort of international treaty can appease the aggressor. Russia continues to build up weapons and equipment on the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk Oblasts of Ukraine; and only firm consolidated stand of the entire international community, economic pressure on Russia and Russia’s deprivation of the veto right in the UN Security Council can make a difference.
