05.02.2017, DPR.
The lull in fighting could be temporarily, and the Ukrainian army is preparing an offensive.
According to Donetsk People’s Republic People’s Militia (DPR PM) recon, Ukrainian military can launch an offensive at the Gorlovka part of the front. The heavy shelling of towns and villages of DPR, civil and military infrastructure is expected along the whole front line. The enemy is probably going to use heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and tactical ballistic missiles “Tochka-U” (TBM).
Redeployment of 2 “Tochka-U” TBMs was spotted in the area of Avdeevka Coke and Chemical Plant. 6 TBM were redeployed to “Novobakhmutovka” railway station. Up to a battery of 152mm 2A65 “Msta-B” mortars were spotted in the area of Nikolaevka. Up to a platoon of tanks was registered in the area near Belaya Kamenka, and another 2 platoons were spotted in the area near Mariinka. 72nd Independent Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army was reinforced with 2 nationalist companies under the command of Dmitry Yarosh. Units of the National Guard of Ukraine arrived in the area of Volnovakha. Antitank Artillery division of the 57th Independent Motorized Infantry Brigade of the Ukrainian Army was redeployed in order to reinforce mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army on the Donetsk and Gorlovka directions. The 92nd Independent Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Army was redeployed from Kharkov region to the zone of conflict. 3 battalions of Azov nationalists arrived in Mariupol.
The trench combat of variable intensity is underway on the Gorlovka direction at the moment. The Ukrainian artillery is shelling the area of “Mayorsk” checkpoint, the village of Zaytsevo and the western suburbs of Gorlovka.
On the Donetsk direction, the combat resumed in the area of “Yasinovataya” checkpoint and Avdeevka industrial zone. Ukrainian snipers opened fire on DPR PM militiamen, who accompanied the maintenance brigades during the restoration of power line near Donetsk water filtration plant. According to DPR PM, one militiaman was killed. The maintenance brigades were evacuated.
According to updated information, during the past day, February 4th, the Ukrainian military criminals violated the ceasefire 524 times. The enemy, violating the Minsk Agreement, fired 25 152mm and 122mm artillery shells, 158 120mm and 82mm mortar rounds. Infantry fighting vehicle, grenade launchers, and small arms were used.
