Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

A woman reacts as she stands near a multi-storey block of flats damaged by shelling in Yenakieve town, northeast from Donetsk, Ukraine, February 2, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A woman reacts as she looks at the debris inside a flat at a residential block damaged by recent shelling in Yenakieve town, northeast from Donetsk, February 2, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A woman cries as she holds a child, while on a bus waiting to flee the military conflict, in Debaltseve, February 3, 2015. REUTERS/Sergey Polezhaka

A boy looks through a bus window before the departure, as people flee due to the military conflict, in Debaltseve, February 3, 2015. REUTERS/Sergey Polezhaka

A woman and a firefighter walk amidst the debris of a house, which according to locals was recently damaged by shelling, in Donetsk, February 3, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

A woman surveys damage done to a house, which according to locals was recently damaged by shelling, in the suburbs of Donetsk, January 30, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Men cover the body of a victim of shelling before loading it onto a stretcher to be put into a vehicle at a site hit by shelling in Donetsk, January 30, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Men remove a broken window near the body of a victim of shelling at a site hit by shelling in Donetsk, January 30, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

Ukrainian soldiers guard a check point near the town of debaltseve in Artemivsk, Ukraine on Feb. 3, 2015. (Photo: AP)

Ukrainian servicemen train with weapons at their position near Lysychansk. Obama, meanwhile, is reconsidering sending lethal assistance to Ukraine.

 

[vostok]

01.-03.02.15

 

[vostok]

Debaltsevo cauldron 3.02.15 (junta - blue, militia - red)

 

[Hindustani78]

ATO NEWS: ATO troops destroy rebels’ TOS-1 ‘Buratino’ heavy flamethrower system - Міністерство оборони України

Wednesday, February 4, DONBAS — According to the ATO press center, over night the pro-Russia illegal armed formations have attacked the Ukrainian positions for 25 times.

The majority of attacks were in Lugansk direction. The terrorists used artillery, Grad system, grenade launchers and mortars against Ukrainian military and local communities.

The enemy makes attempts to breach the Ukrainian positions in Debaltseve direction. Over night the terrorists have attacked the Ukrainian troops for 9 times.

One attack was observed in Mariupil direction and two attacks were observed in Donetsk direction.

The rebels sustain heavy casualties thanks to coordinated actions of the Ukrainian military.

According to preliminary data, on February 3, ATO forces killed 18 terrorists, wounded 55 rebels.

The ATO press center informed that according to preliminary data, on February 2, the enemy casualties were over 150 killed and over 280 wounded. ATO units destroyed TOS-1 ‘Buratino’ heavy flamethrower system, 4 cannons, 4 vehicles and 18 combat armored vehicles of the pro-Russia illegal armed formations.

*************************************************

Artillery of North Operations Command blocks enemy movement - Міністерство оборони України

Artillery of North Operations Command blocks enemy movement
Wednesday, February 4, DONBAS — The Press Center of the North Operations Command informs artillery units of the sector have completed 25 fire tasks. The terrorists allegedly missed two armored vehicles.

A rebels’ tank was destroyed near Smile and an APC was destroyed near Jovte.

In the past 24 hours, the North Operations Command positions were attacked for 23 times. Particularly, the pro-Russian illegal formations attacked Stanytsa Luganska, Schastya, Peredilske, Petrivka, Olkhove, Verkhnio-Vilhova, Kryakivka.

********************************************************

Two Ukrainian servicemen killed, 18 wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours| Ukrinform

KYIV, February 4 /Ukrinform/. Two Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and 18 have been wounded in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas in the past 24 hours.

Acting Spokesperson for the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Vladyslav Selezniov said this at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"During the shelling and clashes Ukraine has lost two soldiers, another 18 suffered injuries of various degrees of severity," he said.

Selezniov added that all wounded soldiers were transported to medical facilities.

********************************************************

Five people killed in shelling of Donetsk hospital| Ukrinform

KYIV, February 4 /Ukrinform/. Five civilians have been killed as a result of shelling of Donetsk residential district Tekstilshchik.

As an Ukrinform correspondent has learnt from local physicians, four people have been killed near the city hospital №27, another person has been killed inside the building. In addition, four people, caught in fire, have been injured.

Witnesses also report that premises of five schools, one gymnasium and five preschool have been damaged in the neighborhood.

An elderly Ukrainian man is helped by a Ukrainian army soldier and a citizen during evacuation of civilians in the Donetsk Oblast city of Debaltseve on Feb. 3. At least 19 civilians and five government troops were killed over the previous 24 hours as fierce clashes raged between Russian-backed separatists and Ukraine's outgunned forces.
© AFP

**********************

The map reflecting the situation in Donbas as of 12.00 on February 4

The Security Service of Ukraine on Feb. 4 arrested a suspected traitor working in the military's General Staff. The suspect is believed to have been plotting an armed attack on Parliament to disrupt the lawmakers' session on Feb. 5, SBU chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko reported.

The suspect was identified as Mykhailo Chornobay, a lieutenant colonel of the Ukrainian army, who headed a department in General Staff. A suspected accomplice was arrested at the same time.

Chornobay cooperated with an agent of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and received orders from Russian secret services, Nalyvaichenko said.

SBU claims to have killed militants responsible for Mariupol attack : UNIAN news
04.02.2015

A counterintelligence unit of Ukraine’s SBU Security Service has eliminated a group of 11 people led by a Russian serviceman who organized and carried out shelling of the residential areas of Mariupol with Grad rockets on January 24, SBU Chairman Valentyn Nalyvaichenko said on Wednesday.

Nalyvaichenko said the special operation to kill the militants was conducted near the village of Bezimyane in Novoazovskiy district, Donetsk region. According to Nalyvaichenko, this area is under the control of militants, and therefore the only alternative was their physical elimination.

Nalyvaichenko said he hoped that the Russian military and the Russian-led militants from the local population would send the bodies of those killed to the members of their families.

04.02.2015 | 14:00
1 0 2 1 0
The militants of the Luhansk People’s Republic organization have said that they attacked a Ukrainian armed forces column near Debaltseve using an aircraft, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the militants said they used a Ukrainian Su-25 jet aircraft that was captured in July, 2014.

Ukraine has linked militant's claims of using the aviation with the possible use of Russian air forces in the Donbas.

"The militants have created a basis in order to for Russian Su-25 jet aircraft to be used in Donetsk and Luhansk regions," MP form the Bloc of Poroshenko Party Yuliy Mamchur said.

As reported earlier, Ukraine claimed that aircraft and helicopters that could have been used by the militants were destroyed as a result of a special operation by Ukrainian forces.

Can anyone have any other source ?

DPR army before the attack on Uglegorsk

http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?pg=5&id=569332
Ukrainian military maintains partial control over Vuhlehirsk
04.02.2015

Vuhlehirsk (near Debaltseve) is partially controlled by the Ukrainian forces, Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation, said.

Citing the most recent information, Lysenko said that part of the city is controlled by militants and that the Ukrainian troops remained in some positions.

"In addition, there is fire support, which is maintained by our artillery," Lysenko told a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Lysenko said several attacks on Ukrainian forces had been fought off last night.

**************************************************

Russian tank column reportedly destroyed near Debaltseve - read on - uatoday.tv
04.02.2015 17:39


"Seven tanks were destroyed during the first day of the offensive by Russian-backed militants, with a further four tanks destroyed over the next two days. Three additional tanks appear to have suffered technical problems. Russian-backed forces are currently attempting to retrieve the three damaged tanks to repair them."

 

[Hindustani78]

Mobilized servicemen undergo training - Міністерство оборони України

Thursday, February 5. CHERNIHIV OBLAST — Mobilized men are trained at the 196th training center of the Ukrainian Land Forces. About 6,000 servicemen will refresh their skills. Desna center is capable to provide training in about 100 Army specializations.

The servicemen will start practice tomorrow — they will fire from small arms, combat vehicles, they will drive tanks, BMP, BRDM, etc.. The mobilized servicemen will learn tactics, take engineering and physical training, and work out the methods of first aid provision. The soldiers will also work out actions at check points based on the experience of servicemen gained during the anti-terror operation.

http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/fi..._29_injured_in_donbas_in_past_24_hours_328827
KYIV, February 5 /Ukrinform/. Five Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and 29 have been injured in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas in the past 24 hours.

Spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

"During the shelling and clashes Ukraine has lost five soldiers, another 29 were injured," he said.

Refugees from Debaltseve get into buses in Artemivsk to escape the pro-Russain rebels shelling on Feb. 5, 2015.
© AFP

Refugees from Debaltseve get into buses in Artemivsk to escape the pro-Russain rebels shelling on February 5, 2015.
© AFP

Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting near Volnovakha, Donetsk region
05.02.2015

Two servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were killed in fighting in the village of Shyrokyne in the Volnovakha district of the Donetsk region on Wednesday.

"An armed clash with the adversary occurred today in the locality of Shyrokyne, which is a neutral area. Confirmed reports indicate that two soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces were killed in the fighting. Information about those injured is being verified," the Azov regiment said on its VKontakte account on Wednesday.

Ukrainian military vehicle in Eastern Ukraine

 

[Hindustani78]

A Ukrainian tank is seen near the eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltseve February 5, 2015.
Credit: Reuters/Gleb Garanich

A woman and a child look through a bus window before leaving as people flee the conflict in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 5, 2015.

Local residents wait for a bus to flee the conflict in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 5, 2015.

A municipal official looks through the window of a residential block, which was damaged by a shelling on Wednesday according to locals, in Donetsk, February 5, 2015.

Local residents wait to board a bus to flee the conflict in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 5, 2015.

Local residents flee the conflict in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 5, 2015.

 

[Hindustani78]

A local resident cooks outside her house as children play nearby in Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 5, 2015.

A tank of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, damaged during battles with the Ukrainian armed forces, is seen on the roadside outside Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, February 4

A member of the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic holds up a large-caliber bullet for the camera in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, February 4, 2015.

A member of the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic walks near a building destroyed during battles with the Ukrainian armed forces in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region

Members of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic drive armoured vehicles, with Saint George slaying the Dragon displayed on a red flag, near Yenakiieve, Donetsk region, February 4

Members of the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic gather at a checkpoint in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, February 4, 2015.

Members of the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic walk near a burnt truck in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, February 4, 2015.

An armoured vehicle and a building, damaged during battles between the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Ukrainian armed forces, are seen in Vuhlehirsk

 

[vostok]

05.02.15 Debaltsevo cauldron (junta - blue, militia - red)

 

[rashid.sarwar]

05.02.15 Debaltsevo cauldron (junta - blue, militia - red)
View attachment 190740

Looks like justa surrounded in the middle... What are the particular gains and loses by militia and junta. Sorry I can't read russian.

 

[vostok]

Looks like justa surrounded in the middle... What are the particular gains and loses by militia and junta. Sorry I can't read russian.

The militia took Kalinovka, but lost Kamenka. The fire was stopped temporarily to civilians could leave Debaltsevo.

Uglegorsk, freed by DPR.

 

[Hindustani78]

A pro-Russian rebel guards captured former Ukrainian Army checkpoint outside Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine.

06.02.2015
Two Ukrainian troops killed, 26 wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours
Two Ukrainian troops were killed and 26 wounded in Donbas in the past 24 hours, Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation, said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

Ukrainian forces have identified a militant subversion group who fired on residential areas of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region disguised as troops from a Ukrainian volunteer battalion, Ukrainian security officials have claimed.

 

[Hindustani78]

ATO NEWS: Ukrainian servicemen destroy enemy’s ammunition depots - Міністерство оборони України

Friday, February 6. DONBAS — According to the press center of the anti-terror operation, this night was tense in the anti-terror operation (ATO) region. Totally, there were 19 attacks against Ukrainian positions.

Pro-Russia illegal armed formations activated their illegal efforts in Lugansk direction. The enemy used artillery, mortars, and tanks.

Donetsk direction: the terrorists made attacks against Nobolaspa and Petrivske.

The intensity of attacks in Debaltseve direction was reduced. Meanwhile, the town was attacked by Grad systems and mortars.

Mariupil: the illegal armed formations attacked Lomakine and Pavlopol.

Ukrainian military repel the enemy’s attacks. The enemy sustains heavy casualties and losses (February 4-5): 60 terrorists killed, 4 tanks, 2 self-propelled artillery weapons destroyed. Near Bryanka, Ukrainian troops destroyed 7 ammunition depots of the pro-Russia illegal armed formations.

Yesterday, in the afternoon, Ukrainian air defense systems detected the enemy’s UAV; it was destroyed.

It is worth mentioning the Ukrainian forces have not left any positions.

*************************************************************

Future officers enhance their combat skills - Міністерство оборони України

Friday, February 6, ODESA — Last year cadets of the military academy have field training. Chief of Department Col. Stanislav Chumak commented:

“In the context of the unrests in east of Ukraine, we’ve adjusted the educational program. For the first time since Ukraine’s independence, we’ll graduate officers at the end of this month, not in summer as it was last year. Future officers must be attentive and well-concentrated to achieve positive results. I can state they will accomplish all the tasks assigned.”

The cadets perform various firing exercises, drive BMP-1 (APC) and BMP-2 (APC) as well as work out recon tasks, actions on patrol and actions in the enemy ambush.

“Field training is led by instructors who have participated in the ‘anti-terror’ operation in Donetsk and Lugansk regions. For cadets various combat situations are simulated. The cadets’ morale is high,” Col. Stanislav Chumak told.

 

[Hindustani78]

Armoured vehicles, destroyed during battles between the armed forces of the separatist self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and the Ukrainian armed forces, are seen in Vuhlehirsk, Ukraine, February 6, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

A local resident rides his bicycle along a street in Vuhlehirsk, Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 6, 2015. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

 

[nangyale]

The Junta forces are getting snokered.

 

[nangyale]

US weapons deliveries to the junta
US political culture and propaganda has deeply ingrained in the minds of those exposed to the corporate media the notion that weapons or technologies win wars. This is not so. Or, not really so.
Yes, when the difference in technologies is very big AND very wide, meaning a full generational change across most key weapon systems, this can help. But not one weapon system alone, and not when the difference in quality is marginal.

Furthermore, a simpler, more "primitive" weapon which totally outclassed on the testing range can suddenly become much better suited to real combat then some techno-marvel. This is, by the way, one of the biggest problems with US weapons. Here is how they are designed:
You take all the latest and most advanced technologies, put them together, then create a new "superior" design, then design a new mission profile to fit that design, then sell (figuratively and literally) the new concept to Congress, especially to those Congressmen who come from the districts where production is planned - and, voilà, you have your brand new top of the line US weapon. And the costs? Who cares?! Just print some more money, and that's it.
Russian weapons are designed in a totally different way:
Take a mission profile, determine a need, then take all the cheapest, simplest and most reliable technologies available and combine them into your weapon system, then have that prototype tested in military units, then modify the weapons system according to the military's reaction and then produce it.
In other words, US weapons are designed by engineers and produced by businessmen and politicians, they are not really designed for war at all. Russian weapons, in contrast, are ordered by the military and created by design bureau's and they have only one objective: real, dirty and ugly warfare.
This is why the good old MiG-29 could fly better with its old fashioned hydraulics then the F-18s with fly-by-wire. It was never that the Russians could not built fly-by-wire aircraft (the SU-27 already had it), but that for the MiG-29 design goals, it was not needed.
What I am getting at here is two things:
a) US weapons are not nearly as good as their marketing and
b) "older" Russian weapons are often much better for actual warfighting.
Let's say the US delivers large quantities of Javelin's to the junta. So what? All that Russia will have to do in reaction is deliver 9M133 Kornets to the Novorussians. Can you guess which system is both cheaper and better?
When the US gave the junta counter-battery radars what did Russia do? The same thing. Now both sides have them.
Now here comes the key question: which of the two sides relies more on armor and artillery? Exactly - the junta.
When confronted with a problems, Americans love to do to things: throw money at it and throw technological "solutions" at it. This never works, but that is what they are good at.
The fact is that even in the 21st century what wins wars is not money or fancy gear, but courage, determination, moral strength, will power and the rage which seizes you when faced with brute, ugly evil.
The junta forces have none of that. Their death squads (Aidar, Azov) can't fight a real ugly battle, and the regular military is demoralized. You can throw all the money and fancy gear at these guys, but they will never have the will power of the soldiers of Givi, Motorola or Mozgovoi.

The real reason why US weapon deliveries to the junta would be a big deal is not military, but political - it would be a visible sign of direct US aggression against Novorussia and, through it, Russia herself. That is why the Russians that the consequences of such deliveries on a large scale would be very serious. But in purely military terms, it would change very little.

The Saker