Russo-Ukraine War 2017 (January-April)

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia has launched over 7,000 cyber attacks on Ukraine over the last 3 years. - Defense Minister Poltorak
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2205993-russia-has-launched-over-7000-cyber-attacks-on-ukraine-defense-minister-poltorak.html#.WOUhvdA6aWR.twitter#

[OUTLAW 09]

A century after US entered WWI, modern-day trench warfare continues in #Ukraine
http://dailysign.al/2o4veJG
#

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They already have weapons, ammo, tanks stored inside occupied Donbas PLUS logistics supply lines to Rostov region
https://youtu.be/EhqggPBNHCI?t=13m55s#

Russian Army troops don't arrive marching, waving flags. In hybrid warfare they come across border in small groups wearing civilian clothing

Two Kamaz (with weapons, ammo) in the field. But how many more lurk in the wooded area behind? Create a crowd and insert troops in civvies?

Today's DPR "reservist" mobilisation is part show, part cover for the real McCoy - Threat should be taken seriously
https://youtu.be/EhqggPBNHCI?t=23m#

27,000 claimed to have been mobilized...everyone over 18 was told to show up

[OUTLAW 09]

Something interesting on the skyline at Torez - it's not a clump of trees! Command post? Ammo dump? Camo over something

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UAV imagery @OSCE_SMM of Luhansk Airport on 5th April pic.twitter.com/CONElZIVSG
http://liveuamap.com/en/2017/6-april-uav-imagery-oscesmm-of-luhansk-airport-on-5th-april#

[OUTLAW 09]

17:34 #Makiivka: #airport, #Spartak: Intense battle

17:30 #Donetsk: "I went out to smoke, a battle in full swing at #Promka. Both small arms and heavy guns. The ceasefire in full swing"

[OUTLAW 09]

Occupied eastern #Ukraine today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Oic90wJ1Ow#…

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Saudi Arabia to build port terminal in Ukraine - Ministry of Infrastructure
https://www.unian.info/economics/1864169-saudi-arabia-to-build-port-terminal-in-ukraine-ministry-of-infrastructure.html#

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Avdiivka (Ukraine controlled) reports a full-scale battle, incomings drop along the city perimeter. Note "full ceasefire" accord in Minsk.

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Comparison of the old vs. new rear protection on the upgraded T-72B3.

First one of the new modified series seen already in late 2016 in Donbass....

[OUTLAW 09]

Day 1144: 3 Ukrainian Soldiers Wounded, 1 Civilian Injured from Russia-Backed Shelling; DNR Calls Up Reserves
http://www.interpretermag.com/day-1144/#16403

[OUTLAW 09]

Worth reading: All about International Court of Justice: legal "front" against Russia (by Igor Solovey)
https://en.lb.ua/news/2017/04/05/3502_international_court_justice.html#

[OUTLAW 09]

TV station of RU Def Ministry: "West wants 2 turn UA into a godless gay colony" - whatever that means. That's what they feed Russians daily.

[OUTLAW 09]

Militants launched 48 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day - 07.04.2017
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2207458-militants-launched-48-attacks-on-ukrainian-troops-in-donbas-in-last-day.html#.WOdFMn-IsGR.twitter#

[OUTLAW 09]

Metinvest (Akhmetov Metallurgical Company) stopped labor contracts with 20,000 employees in the occupied Donbas after the "nationalization"

[OUTLAW 09]

In #Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia, south #Russia, police detained 12 people at #protest against Platon road toll system
http://rian.com.ua/world_news/20170407/1022984477.html#

[OUTLAW 09]

Russians at NATO @natomission_ru
#Grushko: There is no progress in Russia-@NATO relations, notably in restoring cooperation on common security issues
http://tass.com/politics/939847

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine and #Moldova police prevented assassination of Democrat oligarch Vlad Plahotniuc
http://www.moldova.org/en/ukraine-moldova-police-prevented-assassination-democrat-oligarch-vlad-plahotniuc/

“Easter ceasefire” Apr01-Apr06 stats: 2 KIA, 22 WIA, 231 attacks. OSCE confirms 6 deaths of civilians
http://euromaidanpress.com/2017/04/07/5-wounded-in-2-days-thousands-herded-to-mobilization-assembly-near-donetsk-donbasreports/

[OUTLAW 09]

Moldova demands that Russia not recognize documents issued by Transnistria
http://uawire.org/news/moldova-demands-from-russia-not-to-recognize-the-documents-of-transnistria#

Surprisingly Moldavia has a proRussian President...

[OUTLAW 09]

Preparing for the new battlefield in #Ukraine : Kremlin sent 1150 artillery pieces to #Donbas , prohibited by #Minsk
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-russian-militarys-super-weapon-choice-the-big-guns-19257#

[OUTLAW 09]

Militants launched 43 attacks on Ukrainian troops in Donbas in last day -

[OUTLAW 09]

EU Mythbusters
✔
@EUvsDisinfo
Pro-Kremlin outlets claim that Europe has started a war against Russia in Ukraine. Check the facts.
http://eepurl.com/cJR-Br

[OUTLAW 09]

Moldova Says 17 Arrested In Plot to Assassinate Leading Politician
http://www.rferl.org/a/28418373.html

[OUTLAW 09]

New video coming on this cemetery near #Donetsk. By March 2016 has around 800 unmarked graves.
Must be Russian soldiers/mercenaries

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian MoD: Column of Southern Military District special forces "Tiger" armoured cars on the march in Rostov region

[OUTLAW 09]

59 attacks on Ukrainian positions yesterday. 4 soldiers were wounded

NOTICE the not so subtle Russian MoD tie back into chemical warfare.....

THAT is exactly why I state Russian GRU knew about the Assad chemical attack...

Meanwhile in occupied eastern #Ukraine ...
Even more scary after we know #Russia approved the #IdlibGasAttack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmocNZCIMQ#…
Attached Images

[OUTLAW 09]

US P-8A Poseidon 168852 call sign PS106 made a reconnaissance flight around Crimea
http://15minut.org/news/170759-samolet-vms-ssha-provel-razvedku-vblizi-kryma#…

[OUTLAW 09]

Apr 01-09 #Donbas “Easter ceasefire”: 2 KIA, 33 WIA, 394 attacks.
Apr08: 4 WIA, 59 attacks
Apr09: 2 WIA, 44 attacks

Czech court closes down organization posing as ”Donetsk People`s Republic Consulate”
http://dlvr.it/NrwVv9

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy shelling's and ground attacks are underway tonight.....

20:47 #Donetsk: [fb] "I called my folks at #Trudovski, it's sad there -
a mortar, BMP, AGL, signal flares"

[OUTLAW 09]

Latitude 67N SIGINT @Sigint67n
Unknown Ru mil (?) beacon 4525 active. Have not heard that one for a while

[OUTLAW 09]

New Russian army war criminal of first wave in war with Ukraine ID'd by @InformNapalm from Russian 8th rifle brigade
https://informnapalm.org/34989-prestupniki-pervoj-volny-8-j-brigady/#

[OUTLAW 09]

Critical development that needs to be watched closely...

08:11 #Horlivka: As judged by the information incoming, Russia prepares escalation, deploys Cossacks, equipment; endless drills at ranges...

[OUTLAW 09]

Five Ukrainian army servicemen wounded in Donbas Apr. 10
64 attacks on the Ukrainian positions yesterday


OSCE spots at least 10 Grads, howitzers and tanks near occupied Luhansk
http://uaposition.com/latest-news/osce-spots-10-grads-howitzers-tanks-occupied-luhansk/#

By March 2015 Russian army had 6 EW recce Mi-8MTPR-1 (Ми-8МТПР-1) helis equipped /w active EW jammer "Rychag-AV".
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1458627.html

Rychag-AV is next version on Russian Rychag-VB of the 90's restarted in 2001. It's meant for jamming frontline armies & air force equipment.

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO spox: SSU detained a militant of the so-called "5th Brigade" of Russian-occupation forces in Zaporizhia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4ThNgTKu-I&feature=youtu.be#

[OUTLAW 09]

U.S. asks G7 ministers why it should care about Ukraine conflict



French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault says U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson has openly questioned why "American taxpayers" should be concerned about Ukraine, which has been racked by a separatist conflict for the last three years, according to Reuters. Politics 20:04, 11 April 2017 57 READ LATER REUTERS Ayrault told reporters he had replied: "It is in the interests of the U.S. taxpayers to have a Europe that is secure and is strong politically and economically ... You don't want a weak Europe, broken into bits and feeble," Reuters wrote. Tillerson posed the question at a meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations. The former oil executive flew to Russia immediately after the gathering and was not immediately available for comment. Read alsoTillerson: Russia must choose between Assad and U.S. – mediaThe new U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has indicated it might be less engaged on the international stage than some of its predecessors, telling its allies that it would put U.S. interests first. In its closing communique, the G7 said a Ukraine ceasefire agreement, struck in Minsk in 2015, had not been fully implemented, adding that Russia was not doing enough to help restore peace.



https://www.unian.info/politics/1872269-us-asks-g7-ministers-why-it-should-care-about-ukraine-conflict-media.html

[OUTLAW 09]

2 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded today in 23 attacks before 6pm pic.twitter.com/UEe2CrxKDs

In Avdiivka militants used mortars, having fired 50 rounds. Hostilities lasted more than 12 hours

Near Svitlodarsk, Horlivka and Donetsk airport militants systematically opened fire with small arms at UA positions

[OUTLAW 09]

Security situation in Donbas remains tense. 45 attacks by Ru&militants, high calliber artillery used, 5 UA wounded

[OUTLAW 09]

OTD in 2014: Girkin's armed RU terrorist group captured the police, SBU, city administration buildings in #Slovyansk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O50hpo6ZF40#

[OUTLAW 09]

42 Ukrainian soldiers got killed or injured in (pro-)#Russian attacks over the first 10 days of April 2017.
4 KIA
38 WIA

[OUTLAW 09]

RussianOccupants seize land from Crimeans

http://qha.com.ua/en/society/occupants-seize-land-from-crimeans/140476/#

[OUTLAW 09]

Video: Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance at front-line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bJcCABJ7EM#

UAF UAV abilities have greatly improved over the last year....

[OUTLAW 09]

Another ceasefire inside a ceasefire inside at least ten other ceasefires...

Ceasefires really mean time for the Russians to refuel and do munitions resupply runs...

'Complete ceasefire'; agreed in Minsk since 10am of 13 April
pic.twitter.com/6YWOfJgCqI

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine lost $1 billion worth of weapons in arms depot fire in Kharkiv Oblast

One Ukrainian soldier was killed in battle yesterday after ten days with no fatalities.

61 attacks on the Ukrainian positions yesterday. 1 soldier KIA, 2 - died of careless handling w/weapons

10:23AM #Maryinka - hearing battle towards the hospital (with 82-mm and 120-mm mortars).

[OUTLAW 09]

Paul Goble: Putin offers updated version of Brezhnev doctrine for post-Soviet states
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.de/2017/04/putin-offers-updated-version-of.html



Staunton, April 12 – In 1968, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev said that Moscow would not allow any challenges to communist regimes to succeed. Now, 49 years later, his Russian successor, Vladimir Putin, says that he will not allow any “color revolutions” to occur not only in Russia but also in Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Those are the members of the Organization of the Collective Security Agreement, and the Kremlin leader said yesterday that Moscow will not allow any destabilization in any of these countries but instead will “in every possible way support our partners” in that grouping (mir24.tv/news/politics/15955608).

And just as was the case with communist leaders in Eastern Europe half a century ago, some of the leaders of these countries said they too would do everything they could to prevent such “color revolutions” on their territory, implicitly welcoming Putin’s offer of Russian support in this effort.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev called such revolutions “foreign interference” and noted that the best methods of countering them had been discussed at joint exercises of the security forces of the Organization in the past.

Belarusian leader Alyaksandr Lukashenka said that he was responding to Western criticism of his regime’s human rights record by pointing to shortcomings in the West, and Kyrgyzstan President Almazbek Atambayev said that the West was trying to impose its way of doing things on people “without taking account the mentality of the people involved.”

This approach, Atambayev suggested, “is leading to the situation which we see today in Iraq, Syria and Libya.”

[OUTLAW 09]

Number of Ukrainian hostages in Donbas rises to 126 - Ukraine’s humanitarian envoy

Russian spetsnaz raiding Crimean Tatars in Bahchisarai. There are arrested and wounded.

[OUTLAW 09]

Another ceasefire inside a ceasefire inside at least ten other ceasefires...

Ceasefires really mean time for the Russians to refuel and do munitions resupply runs...

'Complete ceasefire'; agreed in Minsk since 10am of 13 April
pic.twitter.com/6YWOfJgCqI


42 attacks on Ukrainian positions today before 6pm. 122mm artillery used near Mariupol

[OUTLAW 09]

DNR commander Khodakovski says his troops loose 50 people a day.
http://newkozak.co.ua/index.php/ukraina-2/item/kazhdyj-den-po#

[OUTLAW 09]

Estonia intelligence report intensifying Russia spy activity in Europe
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.businessinsider.com/estonia-intelligence-report-intensifying-russia-spy-activity-in-europe-2017-4#

[OUTLAW 09]

MIT Tech Review
✔
@techreview
Russia gets “the true nature of the battlefield” in a way the West does not. The power lies in information.
http://trib.al/7ibtNhY

[OUTLAW 09]

Serviceman of Russian Railway Troops served in Somalia Battalion:
https://informnapalm.org/en/serviceman-russian-railway-troops-served-somalia-battalion/#

[OUTLAW 09]

Turchynov: #Ukraine is restoring a missile shield to protect all of Europe
http://uawire.org/news/turchynov-ukraine-is-restoring-missile-shield-for-the-sake-of-the-security-of-the-whole-of-europe#

[Azor]

Paul Goble: Putin offers updated version of Brezhnev doctrine for post-Soviet states
http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.de/2017/04/putin-offers-updated-version-of.html

I always found the concept of the "Brezhnev Doctrine" troublesome. Was it a departure from Stalin or Khrushchev? Indeed, Andropov was involved in both Hungary in '56 and Czechoslovakia in '68. As for Stalin, his Red Army put down the East Germans, Poles, Romanians and the peoples of the Baltics, as well as the Ukrainians, from 1944 to his death.

Moreover, there is a difference between say a "New Course of Socialism" or "Socialism with a Human Face", non-aligned independence and defection to adversarial/rival trading bloc and military alliance.

Putin is no reincarnation of Woodrow Wilson; neither is he of the Soviet leaders who preceded him. Also note that Yeltsin was not the pushover that he is imagined today, and he laid the foundations of or began all of the conflicts that Putin is immersed in today.

[OUTLAW 09]

I always found the concept of the "Brezhnev Doctrine" troublesome. Was it a departure from Stalin or Khrushchev? Indeed, Andropov was involved in both Hungary in '56 and Czechoslovakia in '68. As for Stalin, his Red Army put down the East Germans, Poles, Romanians and the peoples of the Baltics, as well as the Ukrainians, from 1944 to his death.

Moreover, there is a difference between say a "New Course of Socialism" or "Socialism with a Human Face", non-aligned independence and defection to adversarial/rival trading bloc and military alliance.

Putin is no reincarnation of Woodrow Wilson; neither is he of the Soviet leaders who preceded him. Also note that Yeltsin was not the pushover that he is imagined today, and he laid the foundations of or began all of the conflicts that Putin is immersed in today.

Putin is actually an interesting character....as a KGB officer in Dresden he BTW did not make it into SVR as many in his KGB class group felt he did not have what it took....

But anyway he turns up in the Dresden KGB HQs acting as more or less a liaison officer between the KGB and Dresden MfS...

And when things collapsed he went home it was said with a refrigerator and 400 USDs in his pockets when others went home rich from their time in Dresden and the ensuing collapse...

It is also said he was tasked at recruiting GDR citizens who legally left the GDR for the BRD and who might be settling in to the areas around Bad Tolez...the then German HQs for USA SF....in order to spy in SF activities...which some say he failed badly at....but he was good at recruiting active Stasi personnel into the KGB which then linked MfS warnings to Moscow about his activities in the "brother state".....

But he had very good contacts as he had worked with the Mfs Surveillance and Political Crimes units...

What is interesting is both the MfS and Putin totally missed the developing anti GDR movement hidden under the mask of "the peace movement" building in Dresden which then led to the complete fall of the GDR...

Now if one looks at his Dresden past and now you will see little change is his character and or his actions....

[OUTLAW 09]

No fuel around occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk region pic.twitter.com/zYgN38J7Kp

This is actually very interesting as it is being suddenly reported and appears to have developed "overnight"....is it going to military units ??????

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian language declining as ex-Soviet states reject it amid Kremlin action in Ukraine & Syria. Belarus exception.
https://www.ft.com/content/c42fbd1c-1e08-11e7-b7d3-163f5a7f229c#

[OUTLAW 09]

3 caches of weapons were found by Security service of Ukraine in ATO pic.twitter.com/oPbJwz69Wi

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Luhansk separatists conducted extensive exercises over the last week. New #MinskMonitor analyzes the new footage:
https://medium.com/dfrlab/russia-backed-separatists-conduct-explosive-training-exercises-111c63f77fe#

[OUTLAW 09]

Russell “Texas” Bentley, a Donbas terrorist from the USA, received a "DNR passport". Now he can enter Russia w/it

WONDER if he will be questioned by US CBP if and when he returns to Texas.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia-backed Luhansk separatists showed off their Russian UR-77 and UR-83p in recent exercises.
https://medium.com/dfrlab/russia-backed-separatists-conduct-explosive-training-exercises-111c63f77fe#

[davidbfpo]

Russell “Texas” Bentley, a Donbas terrorist from the USA, received a "DNR passport". Now he can enter Russia w/it

WONDER if he will be questioned by US CBP if and when he returns to Texas.....

Has he committed a criminal offence by fighting for a foreign cause then?

[OUTLAW 09]

Has he committed a criminal offence by fighting for a foreign cause then?

In the US there are in place federal laws forbidden the participation in a "mercenary unit or being a mercenary"....was put into place during the "wars of liberation in Africa and South America" during the period when a lot of Americans were cruising in Africa dealing in weapons and fighting as mercenaries for hire.

Currently Ukraine as issued an Interpol and Europol arrest warrant for war crimes against him that in turn should place him then on the no fly list into the US...in theory...then CBP should detain him....

BUT unless he is flying United I do not see him being forced off any United flight....

[OUTLAW 09]

FrolovLeaks: Goebbels of the Patriarch, Recruitment of Ukrainian Generals and Baptism by Fire in Syria. Episode IV
https://informnapalm.org/en/frolovleaks-goebbels-patriarch-recruitment-ukrainian-generals-baptism-fire-syria-episode-iv/#

[OUTLAW 09]

If confirmed then this is the second "the second deliberate Putin false flag attack" the first one triggered the Chechen second war.....

On top of the 1999 apartment blast that is being pointed to as being used by Putin to take over power......

"The terrorist acts in Saint Petersburg were likely organized by the Russian special services."
http://euromaidanpress.com/2017/04/15/experts-say-the-kremlin-may-have-been-behind-the-st-petersburg-terrorist-acts/#

While IS claimed the attack..it was a really "weak claim"....which is not normal even for them...and the FSB has announced no further info on the individual nor his so called ties to IS...

[OUTLAW 09]

THIS is example what I mean....while the entire MSM talks about the TLAM and MOAB strikes and how suddenly Trump has changed...WHICH if one carefully reads his and his merry band of brothers comments...he has not changed a single previous statement....

Things are developing in Europe that the MSM is not seeing because of all the Trump "chatter" about his strikes....

North Korea tensions are grabbing all the attention. Something really not-funny going on in Europe.

Hint: Large parts of Russian armed forces are on alert due "winter training period checks"

Russia has alerted 3 motorized brigades in the far east. Units are moving out of garrisons and relocating.

Actually the entire Russian military is on a full war time snap alert...the ENTIRE Russian military and it is not "winter"...it is "spring" so this Russian MoD statement alone is false....

They had just completed those checks a full month ago so why the sudden war time snap re-alert????

If you redeploy aircraft during Easter you don´t do it just for fun. F-35A to Europe this weekend
Alleged for a short training exercise with other NATO aircraft....AF states it was long planned...but only now announced....which s not the normal announcement process.
https://theaviationist.com/2017/04/14/the-u-s-air-force-is-deploying-the-f-35a-lightning-ii-aircraft-to-europe-this-weekend/#…

THEN this air activity over Europe is unusually high...actually to high...

3 x US Navy E-6Bs airborne
164410 CLINT81
164406 RUFF07
162782 LONNY82

One US KC135 is back into UK and refueling for another quick mission....second KC135 just went airborne towards Baltic

[OUTLAW 09]

4 Ukrainian soldiers wounded in 45 attacks on Ukrainian positions yesterday

AND this is suppose to be the so called "Easter Ceasefire"????

[OUTLAW 09]

All Kharkiv's ex-Berkut fighters under investigation for Maidan shooting went on a bus & drove to Russia.
https://twitter.com/mediazzzona/status/853145908313280512#

[OUTLAW 09]

Brzezinski: 'We Are Already In#a Cold War...We should make Ukraine more costly for the Russians'
http://spon.de/aexbj
via @SPIEGELONLINE

[OUTLAW 09]

Occupied #Luhansk region.
#Russian-supplied T-64 firing training.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ5dcdryG7U#…
Notice the DIY reactive bricks at one model.

[OUTLAW 09]

All Kharkiv's ex-Berkut fighters under investigation for Maidan shooting went on a bus & drove to Russia.
https://twitter.com/mediazzzona/status/853145908313280512#

Suspected #Maidan Killer & Three Other Ex #Berkut Officers Flee to #Russia
http://khpg.org/en/index.php?id=1492253760#

[OUTLAW 09]

We have no choice but to go step by step to the eastern UA border - Turchynov, NSDC
Lavrov didn't like these words
http://www.interfax.ru/world/558579

[OUTLAW 09]

Crimean "deputies" admit: Situation in ports is catastrophic
http://qha.com.ua/en/politics/crimean-deputies-admit-situation-in-ports-is-catastrophic/crimean-deputies-admit-situation-in-ports-is-catastrophic/140503/#

[OUTLAW 09]

Luhansk region: recent drills of RU T-64 of 4th sep.motor-rifled brig. of "LNR army"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia is pulling to the border with Ukraine the "hybrid" tanks T-72B and T-80BV. A PHOTO. MAP
http://sprotyv.info/ru/news/kiev/informnapalm-rossiya-styagivaet-k-granice-s-ukrainoy-gibridnye-tanki-t-72b-i-t-80bv-foto#

[OUTLAW 09]

The US Navy aircraft P-8A Poseidon conducted a reconnaissance flight near #Ukraine's #Crimea, occupied by #Russia.
http://ua.interfax.com.ua/news/general/416073.html#

[OUTLAW 09]

https://maidantranslations.com/2017/04/16/dmitry-tymchuk-russian-command-changes-the-organizational-structure-of-the-1st-dnr-and-2nd-lnr-army-corps-04-05-2017/

Dmitry Tymchuk: Russian command changes the organizational structure of the “1st DNR” and “2nd LNR” Army Corps
04.05.2017


Between March 29th and April 4th of this year [2017], the intensity of fire strikes#on Ukrainian troop positions and settlements inside Ukrainian-controlled territory decreased (the decline [began after] April 1st). During this period, units of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps of the Russian Federation occupation forces in Donbas carried out a total of about 440 artillery raids#(compared to nearly 600 in the previous one-week period).
Despite certain agreements reached on the so-called “Easter ceasefire,” Russian-terrorist troops continue to actively shell Ukrainian troop positions and settlements using 120-mm and 82-mm mortars, 122-mm cannon artillery, armored vehicles, and, sporadically, 100-mm MT-12 “Rapira” anti-tank guns, anti-aircraft systems, anti-tank missile systems, and stand-mounted grenade launchers (AGS-17/21 and SPG-9).
In the past 24 hours, the tensest situation was observed in the coastal region#(along the Pavlopil–Shyrokyne stretch). The occupiers shelled ATO forces’ advanced positions using, amongst other weapons, 120-mm mortars and 100-mm anti-tank guns, as well as individual BBM armored combat vehicles that carried out shelling from pre-established camouflaged firing positions.
East of Hnutove and southeast of Vodyane, two occupier BMP-2’s were in action, with the enemy in these sectors also using at least two 82-mm mortars. In addition, a BTR-80 shelled for an extended period, maneuvering from the direction of Sakhanka and north of the Novoazovsk–Mariupol highway. From the direction of Sosnivske, occupier artillery (four 122-mm guns) has been active from positions between Pavlopil and Chermalyk, firing shells over a wide area.
In the Dokuchajevsk area (a section in the Taramchuk–Yasne–Berezove “triangle”), there has been a sharp pick-up in enemy activity, with the active use of 82-mm and 120-mm mortars, ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft artillery systems, and stand-mounted AGS-17 and SPG-9 grenade launchers.
Near Viktorivka, the occupiers tried to inflict fire damage on the ATO forces’ advanced units with the use of large-caliber machine guns and AGS-s [automatic grenade launchers].
Near Krasnohorivka (south of the settlement and on the orphanage grounds), [the enemy used] short bursts of mortar shelling from 82-mm mortars, with the occasional engagement of NSB-12.7 “Utes” heavy machine guns.
The occupiers were also considerably active near Avdiivka, in the section from the Butivka mine to the area north of the industrial zone, as well as in the Pisky–Opytne area. Positions in Butivka, near the ring road, and in the industrial zone came under fire from 120-mm and 82-mm mortars, AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. The use of grenade launchers and 82-mm mortars was noted in the Vodyane and Pisky area. To the east of the sand quarry, there was shelling by 120-mm and 82-mm mortars from both Kruta Balka and Vasylivka directions. In addition, BTR-70/80 and MT-LBs fired from their heavy machine guns at the advanced positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Avdiivka’s industrial area. Photo: Anton Skyba
The occupiers’ mobile fire group from Stakhanov was operating in the stretch between#Sokilnyky and#Zholobok.#The group consisted of three 120-mm mortars and two 82-mm 2B9 “Vasilek” automatic mortars, mounted on transport.
Enemy sniper groups were highly active in the vicinity of Maiorsk, Verkhnotoretske, Krasnohorivka, Avdiivka, Novotroitske, Pyshchevyk, Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Vodyane and Troitske. The snipers carry out fire mainly at night.
*****
By order of the Center of Territorial Troops of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces, the Russian command of the “1st Army Corps of the DNR” and the “2nd Army Corps of the LNR” has initiated changes in the organizational and staffing structure of its units and formations.#Namely, the size of tank battalions included in the units of these army corps is being changed from 3 companies to 4 companies; an additional tank has also been introduced to some tank battalions (serving as the vehicle of the deputy battalion commander). After these#changes, the number of tanks in the military units and formations of the two army corps will exceed 450 (according to IR Group‘s data, the number of tanks as of February 2017 was 380 – but it must be emphasized that in both cases, this number only includes the equipment within military units and does not include tanks kept in storage at the “L/DNR” bases or training facilities).
In addition to that, the two army corps currently include some 900 units of other armored combat vehicles, over 1000 artillery systems (neither figure is different compared to February 2017), and about 400 anti-aircraft systems (a 50-unit increase).
During these organizational and staffing changes, the separate special-purpose radio battalion of the “2nd Army Corps of the LNR” has been disbanded due to its low effectiveness, and its tasks have been handed over to the regular radioelectronic intelligence unit of the Russian Armed Forces, which is present in the temporarily occupied territory of Luhansk oblast on a rotational basis.
The occupiers are continuing active construction efforts to complete and improve their positions along the northern outskirts of Debaltseve and the Debaltsevske village (formerly Kommuna). A network of platoon strongpoints and a fortified zone have been deployed in this direction of operations. The construction efforts utilize 5-7 units of machinery every day (mainly “civilian” excavators, bulldozers, and dump trucks; however, one PZM-2 [regimental digger] has also been identified). The occupiers are also renewing existing mine barriers in this area and laying down new ones. The work is being#continuously supervised by Russian “advisors.”
Active efforts to equip positions are also being carried out in the vicinity of Smile [“Smileh”] village (Luhansk oblast, Slovyanoserbsk district); the same area shows an increased accumulation of enemy forces and equipment. Two 120-mm mortars and one ZU-23-2 were observed moving between the former checkpoint N32 and the Kombat [Battalion Commander] Monument,#towards Sentyanivka (formerly Frunze); and two Kamaz trucks with personnel as well as two BMP-1’s, through Smile.
Due to the#increasingly frequent theft and illegal transport to Russia of weapons, ammunition, and other supplies, the command of the “1st AC of the DNR” and the “2nd AC of the LNR” have issued orders to plan and conduct#spot checks of weapon ordnance and fuel warehouses within the corps’ units. “Military commandants” of garrisons are responsible for organizing cooperation with the commanders of units charged with securing and defending the warehouses in question.
During the past week, the following deliveries were made to the “L/DNR” from the Russian Federation in order to keep units and formations of the “1st AC of the DNR” and the “2nd AC of the LNR” supplied with armaments, military equipment and fuel: 17 armed vehicles (mainly BMP-1 and BMP-2), 6 train cars of artillery munitions, and 25 cisterns of fuel and lubricants, for a total weight of 1,249 tons.
The demand for “new passports,” which were originally popular after Russia had recognized these “documents” as valid, has waned in both the “DNR” and the “LNR,” especially in towns and settlements close to the demarcation line. This is likely related to the new wave of rumors, which claim that the SBU is promptly receiving the lists of every #“DNR” or “LNR” “passport” holder, and detains them after they cross the demarcation line. According to one version of the rumor, the lists of names are procured for the SBU by Ukrainian hacker groups; another version claims that “L/DNR” officials hand the names over to Ukrainian special services voluntarily.
The “Ministry of Justice of the LNR” has completed the re-registration of Ukrainian coal enterprises in occupied areas of Luhansk oblast, affiliating them with Vneshtorgservis LNR Closed Joint Stock Company. The “state bank of the LNR” has reserved current accounts for these enterprises. Employees of Rovenkiantratsyt, Sverdlovantratsyt and Krasnodonuhol (formerly controlled by Rinat Akhmetov) have been instructed to#hand in their resignation notices and apply for jobs with#Vneshtorgservis LNR CJSC, instead. Meanwhile, members of the “law enforcement bodies of the LNR” have been#ordered to prevent employees of the coal industry, especially managers and highly trained professionals, from departing to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

[OUTLAW 09]

29 attacks on Ukrainian positions yesterday

[OUTLAW 09]

22 attacks on Ukrainian positions yesterday,
2 soldiers wounded

This Easter Ceasefire period has been largely the quietest ceasefire ever....

[OUTLAW 09]

Easter is over BACK to the war-------

17:15 #Donetsk: [forum] It has begun, capital out's from #airport direction, and one incoming. Now AA-guns are rattling

17:22 #Krynychna, #Makiivka: One can hear heavy [guns], heavy machine-gun burst, windows glasses vibrate

17:28 #Donetsk: assault rifles, machine guns [are heard] at #Oktyabrskyi, sometimes heavies, incoming or outgoing

17:31 #Novhorodske: You can even use the word 'battle' to describe the events behind #Skotuvata, incl. lots of small arms fire

17:40 #Donetsk: Orcs are shelling artillery in the North

17:47 #Donetsk #railway staton: It has boomed [servel times] closer, like hammering posts. Now sirens went along #Artema

17:50 #Donetsk #railway station: Artillery continues the active work. Singles. At 2-5 sec intervals

17:50 #Donetsk #Putilovka: Orcs escalated after Easter, shelling towards #Avdiivka

Lot's of battle reports coming in from #Donetsk, #Makeevka and #Avdeevka this evening

[OUTLAW 09]

Nobody in the Kremlin takes Eurasianism -- or Dugin -- seriously.

http://www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon-donald-trump-jared-kushner-vladimir-putin-russia-fbi-mafia-584962 …

BUT evidently Trump's personal White Nationalist advisor Bannon does....

[OUTLAW 09]

RU Ambo to Serbia:RU to deliver S-300 to Serbia - fake,it's UA trade S-300 w/Croatia,he read internet & Wikileaks"

[OUTLAW 09]

Easter is over BACK to the war-------

17:15 #Donetsk: [forum] It has begun, capital out's from #airport direction, and one incoming. Now AA-guns are rattling

17:22 #Krynychna, #Makiivka: One can hear heavy [guns], heavy machine-gun burst, windows glasses vibrate

17:28 #Donetsk: assault rifles, machine guns [are heard] at #Oktyabrskyi, sometimes heavies, incoming or outgoing

17:31 #Novhorodske: You can even use the word 'battle' to describe the events behind #Skotuvata, incl. lots of small arms fire

17:40 #Donetsk: Orcs are shelling artillery in the North

17:47 #Donetsk #railway staton: It has boomed [servel times] closer, like hammering posts. Now sirens went along #Artema

17:50 #Donetsk #railway station: Artillery continues the active work. Singles. At 2-5 sec intervals

17:50 #Donetsk #Putilovka: Orcs escalated after Easter, shelling towards #Avdiivka

Lot's of battle reports coming in from #Donetsk, #Makeevka and #Avdeevka this evening

Pisky is still under fire.

[OUTLAW 09]

Why Russia's Massive Zapad Military Exercises Scare the World
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/why-russias-massive-zapad-military-exercises-scare-the-world-20199#

Russians are happy with the annexation of Crimea, but not with Crimea getting more money from state budget
https://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/articles/2017/04/18/686092-zatrati-na-krim-nezhelatelni#/galleries/140737493233490/normal/1#

[OUTLAW 09]

Large Russian Land-Air-Sea Exercises in Crimea Highlight Vulnerabilities in Ukrainian Navy and Coastal Defense
https://jamestown.org/program/large-russian-land-air-sea-exercises-crimea-highlight-vulnerabilities-ukrainian-navy-coastal-defense/#

Strange that UAF and social media has been pointing to this since 2014 and that the recent Russian exercises conducted just such joint land/sea/air landing exercises in Crimea...

[OUTLAW 09]

FSB says it quashed plot to smuggle vast amount of weapons from Europe/Ukraine into Russia
http://www.fsb.ru/fsb/press/message/single.htm%21id%3D10438114%40fsbMessage.html#

AND as always with FSB accusations of this type...they NEVER publish a single photo or evidence..all just words as if the world is suppose to believe the FSB????

Another disinformation attempt being used to set the stage to something else...

BUT THEN the ground reality of Russian military actions.....

Ukraine reports 1 WIA amid 32 enemy attacks in last day

[OUTLAW 09]

Most #Ukrainians want peace in Donbas, but not at any cost and consider elections in #Donbas ”unacceptable” – poll
http://uaposition.com/latest-news/ukrainians-want-peace-donbas-not-cost-elections-donbas-unacceptable-poll/#

.@Twitter bots in action - #Russian #informationwarfare methods designed for "easy exploitation - high impact"
http://bit.ly/2p3b30p

Ukraine twitter accounts complain of sudden drop in Russian trolls attack. Worried that their budget is cut.

Possibly true as the US government has recently taken down a series of Russian botnet servers with the arrest of a top Russian hacker in Barcelona....

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia would need oil price at $72 to balance '17 budget (30% above EIA's '17 forecast).
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-06/kuwait-is-best-off-nigeria-worst-in-fitch-s-2017-oil-break-even#

Ukraine and Syria are burning through Russian budgets....

[Azor]

Putin is actually an interesting character...as a KGB officer in Dresden he BTW did not make it into SVR as many in his KGB class group felt he did not have what it took...

But anyway he turns up in the Dresden KGB HQs acting as more or less a liaison officer between the KGB and Dresden MfS...

And when things collapsed he went home it was said with a refrigerator and 400 USDs in his pockets when others went home rich from their time in Dresden and the ensuing collapse...

It is also said he was tasked at recruiting GDR citizens who legally left the GDR for the BRD and who might be settling in to the areas around Bad Tolez...the then German HQs for USA SF...in order to spy in SF activities...which some say he failed badly at...but he was good at recruiting active Stasi personnel into the KGB which then linked MfS warnings to Moscow about his activities in the "brother state".....

But he had very good contacts as he had worked with the Mfs Surveillance and Political Crimes units...

What is interesting is both the MfS and Putin totally missed the developing anti GDR movement hidden under the mask of "the peace movement" building in Dresden which then led to the complete fall of the GDR...

Now if one looks at his Dresden past and now you will see little change is his character and or his actions...


Putin may well have been in the First Chief Directorate, which became the SVR, but that did not mean he was much more than a functionary; it is equally probable that he was in the Fifth Chief Directorate and liaising or attached to the First in some capacity.

What is clear is that Putin grasped how the KGB was organized and the importance of its Ninth Chief Directorate, whose successive organs (FSO, SBP) Putin has transformed into a Praetorian Guard.

One can infer parallels between Putin’s rise to power and that of Stalin’s. Both were dull bureaucrats who desired power, prestige and to be in the thick of the action, yet both were forced to content themselves learning the inner workings of how their societies were structured.

Personally, I believe that four experiences were formative for Putin:


Knowledge of the grinding guerrilla war in Afghanistan from other KGB officers or perhaps military officers

The fall of Communism in East Germany in 1989

The fall of Communism in the Soviet Union and its dissolution in 1991

The First Chechen War from 1994 to 1996, which echoed the guerrilla warfare of Afghanistan


On that basis, I believe Putin is absolutely terrified of overthrow by popular protests and defeat by guerrillas. His policies certainly reflect these fears.

[OUTLAW 09]

Mariupol area 7.20 pm - a battle began with armour, mortars, firearms.

[OUTLAW 09]

To all readers of this thread….


I have been reading SWJ since 2004 when I first became aware of it…and I have since then contributed a few articles to it as well as FP…

But since the Russian military annexation of Crimea…their unleashing of non linear warfare with cyber and information warfare as it’s core and then their military invasion of Ukraine and their adventure into Syria in the name to defeat IS which we all know is a farce……

During the last two years I have posted roughly 30,000 posts on these two areas and then starting posting more and more information on Russian infor and cyber warfare.

Alone on the Ukrainian thread Views have in the last two years climbed to over 980,000 …the Syrian thread climbed in the same time to over 360,000. I also noted that in the last two months the Russian disinformation and hacking has climbed over 8,000 Views.

While it is hard to see if readers were looking/researching or just skimming through I am happy that they “viewed” anything as I have seen that basically a lot of what I posted never did make it into US MSM or if it did…then days later.

During this process I have learned the value of social media OSINT and the ability of conducting excellent information warfare using social media….and took pains to show how Russian info warfare was being conducted both in Ukraine and Syria….and developed along the way a working relationship with @bellingcat one of the best social media OSINT types going these days..actually produces better quality open reporting than anything I have previously seen in the IC which also uses OSINT...

Along the way I have bashed the Obama WH for basically changing the entire ME in the desire to tilt fully to Iran and for their apparent lack of a solid strategic strategy on virtually anything…and they walked away from engaging in the Ukraine…..the Obama WH was great smoke and mirrors machine and the US MSM never really challenged that…

We then transitioned to the Trump WH….and suddenly and truly we are seeing for the first time the somehat serious political theory of “Wag the Dog” in it’s full glory being applied to cover up for a total lack of any strategy on anything other than “tweets” being used as a FP……using "on a whim and a prayer" as FP....

I learned a long time ago after VN if one does not ever speak truth to power things get worse….and in my work career that was a principle I held to which cost me sometimes, but I always learned even then you in fact move forward…because some along the way respected that.

The posting has led me to fully “see” and “understand” the intertwining of a lack of US FP built on well thought through strategies and allowed me to see at the same the interesting development of the Russian non linear warfare which is pushing their political war with the US….and they do view it as an actual war…somehow we do not…

BTW I have posted many comments on this concept of “seeing” and “understanding” something that drives me in all these years as I learned long ago ground reality “does talk to you..if you are willing to listen”….

After being recently chastised and sidelined for three days “for being on a soap box” that not many were willing to actually share…..even though reading and then responding by cut and pasting comments….I have decided it is now a good time to withdraw from SWC…it has been a great ride , the knowledge I gained in the postings has flowed into my company in a far different way than I even imagined and is openly up a startling new realm in integrating hacking defense with customers demanding now how to counter the everyday info war they are in….

It has been one heck of a long ride and I really enjoyed it…will comment on occasions if an article interests me…….

The killing in eastern Ukraine and Syria will just continue until someone stands up in the US and truly leads….and leads not by tweets….but by the realization of what Putin’s geo political goals really are guided by a strategic strategy...finally.....

Based on evidence I have had the opportunity to be shown/review the person tweeting might not be in office much longer IF treason counts for anything these days in the US…

[OUTLAW 09]

Breaking my posting pause due to this development which is really important reference the Russian shot down of MH17...

Bellingcat's earlier piece on this key suspect in the #MH17 case
https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2017/02/15/identifying-khmuryi-the-major-general-linked-to-the-downing-of-mh17/#

Intercepted phone calls related to the #MH17 case were analysed for similarities with the voice of the suspect

Important news on #MH17 about the man who organised the movement of the Buk that shot it down
Russian journalist presents exclusive proof of "Khmuryi" involvement in MH17 downing
https://www.unian.info/society/1892464-russian-journalist-presents-exclusive-proof-of-khmuryi-involvement-in-mh17-downing-video.html#

[OUTLAW 09]

Moscow started building power plants in Crimea, then realized Siemens would not provide the turbines b/c sanctions
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-crimea-power-idUSKBN17T0N4?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews#

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian media openly saying their army and terrorists have destroyed 800 houses in Donbas in 3 month non-stop shelling.

[OUTLAW 09]

The Hague tribunal awaits tankmen of Russian Army’s 136th Brigade: lists, documents, orders. OSINT+HUMINT:
https://informnapalm.org/en/hague-tribunal-awaits-tankmen-russian-army-s-136th-brigade-lists-documents-orders-osint-humint/#

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia illegally extracts 3 bln cubic meters of Ukrainian gas in Crimea
http://112.international/conflict-in-eastern-ukraine/russia-illegally-extracts-three-billion-cubic-meters-of-ukrainian-gas-in-crimea-16427.html#

Already Eighty(80) Ukrainian soldiers were killed, 530 WIA in 7671 attacks in 2017(118 days