Anti-Terrorist operation: Summary for August 2, 2014

byRoman Burko

02/08/2014

5 minute read

By Roman Burko, burkonews.info

Luhansk Border and Southern Region

The Russian Federation continues to transfer troops across the border, heading towards Rovenky and Sverdlovsk. Given that the Russian troops are dug in near Gukovo (Rostov Oblast of the Russian Federation), the decision of the ATO command to withdraw its forces towards Chervonopartyzansk is probably correct. Yes, this exposes a part of the border but it also move units to a much safer position. Besides, in case of a successful Ukrainian advance upon Shakhtarsk, Torez and Snizhne from the West and North West and an advance from the area of Savur-Mohyla towards Dmytrivka-Dyakove-Rovenky, the terrorists will be pushed out towards the Russian Federation and will become the problem of the Russian border guards.

According to the data of our group (Inform Napalm) the ATO forces failed to retain control over the M04 highway and as a result the Ukrainian units in Lutuhyne and Heorhiivka were cut off. Given that the terrorists are led by experts from the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and not a rabble of separatist criminals, we should expect an attack upon the grouping of the ATO forces from the direction of Rovenky and Alchevsk (see the map) in the next few days. The latest developments show that the terrorists are fighting in a tactically competent manner.

Luhansk Oblast: Northern Areas

Yesterday we predicted the possibility of a counter attack on the rear of the Ukrainian forces advancing upon Pervomaisk. However it seems the terrorists have missed their opportunity. However, they continue to build up their forces in Pervomaisk, Irmino, Stakhankov, Bryanka, and Kirovsk. Today we have slightly modified the map in the area of Lysychansk by moving the northern holding lines slightly down. Our analysis of the terrorist grouping in that area and the other grouping that was located near Lysychansk shows the approximate equality of the forces from both sides. However, by all theory of military warfare the attack forces should exceed the forces of the defensive side three to four times. This brings us to the conclusion that the militants consciously retreated to the new lines. This is probably their strategic maneuver and not a measure that ATO has forced upon them.

Donetsk Oblast: North of Donetsk and Horlivka

The Ukrainian forces continue to encircle the terrorist grouping in Horlivka. Yasynuvata has also become a stumbling block in that terrorist units continue to fight for this area, which is why there is no final success in the encirclement of this area.

Donetsk Oblast: Southern and Eastern/Central Areas

The terrorists have regrouped for a counterattack in the area of Marinka and Khartsyzk-Shakhtarsk.

Over the past day the militants continued to counter attack in the area of Shakhtarsk, along the N21 highway and in the north-eastern direction (Kirovske and Rozsypne). We would like to point out that if the ATO forces successfully advance towards Fashchivka, they could be counterattacked by terrorist forces from Stakhanov and Irmino, moving towards Shakhtarsk. If successful, this counter attack could lead to the Ukrainian attack group been cut off.

Comments on Military Strategy

Now let us make a practical suggestion. Currently the Ukrainian forces are not fighting the regular military forces. They are fighting the forces of the Russian Federation, which imitate the terrorists. If there is a great desire to liberate Donetsk with minimal losses, you need to apply the same tactics of the enemy. Remember how the invasion of the `Colorado’s’ (the stripedpest) started in the Donbas. They captured Sloviansk and consolidated, spread to Kramatorsk and consolidated, then went on to next city. The Ukrainian forces still live in the old field armies of the USSR Constitution: liberated the town and moved on. As a result they receive acts of sabotage in the rear. Why not try at first to solve the problem in the Pervomaisk area, and only then to move to Shakhtarsk? By “solve the problem” we mean seizing the city, and fully mopping-up the city and the surrounding area, and then holding the area. Such holding actions require the detention of all people involved in sponsoring or supporting terrorists. The Ukrainian forces should apply the rule that anyone who has ever held in their hands the weapons with no right to its possession is a criminal, regardless of whether or not it has been shot. Tough? Yes, but otherwise we get a Chechnya for next 10 years…

Translated by Victoria Field and Oxana Tinko, edited by Larry Field

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Archive

March 12: ”Luhansk People’s Republic” has decided to limit the broadcasting of 23 Ukrainian and one Russian TV channel

March 12 – No Ukrainian military were killed or wounded in the last 24 hours in the ATO area, – informed NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

March 12 – So called "Luhansk People's Republic" has decided to limit the broadcasting of 23 Ukrainian and one Russian TV channel ("Dozhd").

March 12 – Russian terrorists have resumed the shelling of the positions of Ukrainian border guards and intensified aerial reconnaissance in Donbas, – informed Press Secretary of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Oleg Slobodyan.

March 12 – The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appealed to the prosecution to immediately begin the confiscation of assets of Viktor Yanukovych, – said Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk. He added that six months ago the government has arrested 1.42 billion USD of funds belonging to Yanukovych's entourage (through State Service for Financial Monitoring).

March 12 – Department of Defence of Ukraine is reporting that the soldiers of 128th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received a first payment of 85.2 thousand UAH for the destroyed enemy's armoured vehicles.

March 12 – In 2015 Ukraine can obtain approximately 16.3 billion USD from all external sources, including 10 billion USD from International Monetary Fund according to IMF report-memorandum.

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March 12 – The EU External Political Service received an official letter from the Representative of Ukraine in the European Union, Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, regarding the pressing reaction of Brussels as to the admission of RF President Volodymyr Putin about the advanced planned anexation of Crimea. "Putin openly and cynically related the meeting which took place on February 23, 2014, during which he stated that they (the government of Russia) cannot abandon the territory and people under the torture of nationalists." Thereby, President Putin openly admitted, that the aggression against the sovereignity and the territorial integreity of Ukraine was planned beforehand and was realized as planned, which led to the first annexation in Europe since the Second World War," quoted the interlocuter of the European Truth the official letter received from the ambassador. Yelisieiev also explained that the continuation and result of these events became the invasion of Russian soldiers into Donbas. Kostiantyn Yelisieiev in his appeal to EU also emphasized that the actions of RF, oficially recognized by Putin, fall under the definition of aggression (according to the UN resolution of 1974) and represent in it "the most serious international crime."

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