Operation Donbas

Operation Donbas 2014
Russia’s Special Operation
in
Eastern Ukraine
i
Background to Crisis & Analysis
by Tim Ripley
30th May 2014
© [email protected]
Tel 01524, 383252, Mob 07711 806905
Sources and Assessment Methodology
This assessment is based on analysis of:
•
Public statements of Russian leaders
•
De-briefing diplomats and intelligence analysts with recent
experience in Russia and Ukraine
•
Social media video and still pictures, including recordings of
GRU telephone conversations released by Ukrainian SBU
•
Independent media reports from Ukraine (to verify above)
•
Open source military information (to verify above)
Note: The Donets Basin, known commonly as the Donbas, is a
historical, economic and cultural region of eastern Ukraine and
southwest Russia, which lies astride the current international
border
© timripley@hotmail
Operation Donbas 2014: Seizing Eastern Ukraine
Russian Objectives in Eastern Ukraine
The public pronouncements of Russian leaders have
highlighted scope of their objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
President Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders continue to
declare the Ukrainian government to be an ‘ill-legitimate junta’.
President Putin gained approval from the Russian Duma (parliament)
on 1 March for military action in Ukraine. This has not been
rescinded.
President Putin has declared his right to protect ‘Russians’ in
neighbouring countries and indicated his ambition to restore the
borders of Tsarist Russia and he uses the Tsarist phrase, “New
New
th
Russia”, which in the 19 Century incorporated much of the Ukraine,
Baltic States and other former Soviet republics.
Russian Nationalists close to President Putin have been prominent in
mentoring
e to g and
a d encouraging
e cou ag g pro-Russian
p o uss a groups
g oups inside
s de U
Ukraine
a e
The “trigger” for the Russian campaign to over throw the current Ukrainian
government was the fall of former president Viktor Yanukovych on 21st
February.
y This event followed from a deal brokered by
y the European
p
Union to keep him in power which was reneged on by pro-democracy
protestors. As far as Putin was concerned, this act was the last straw. He has
since been determined to reverse ‘western’ penetration of Eastern Europe
and restore Russian p
power and control over the Ukraine. Phase 1 of the pplan
was the operation to seize the Crimea and at the same time preparations
were put in place to extend the operation to eastern and southern Ukraine.
Operation Donbas Objectives
Russian intelligence and special forces assistance for proRussian separatists in eastern Ukraine is aimed at contributing to
collapse of pro-European government in Kiev
Political Objective
j
To provide protection for pro-Russian separatists to hold their independence
referendum on 11th May.
In his 17th April TV phone-in President Putin said Russian forces carried out a similar
role in the Crimea in March.
Milit
Military
Objectives
Obj ti
and
d Tasks
T k
To establish liaison network across Donetsk and Lugansk regions to co-ordinate
Russian ‘volunteers’, locally recruited military groups and civilian protestors, as well
as co-ordinating political narrative used by local politicians.
To conducted selected armed action to motivate local armed groups and intimidate
Kiev regime forces.
Command and Control
Comparison between Russian ‘Volunteer’ in
Crimea (left) on 18 Mar and ‘little
little green man’
man in
Slavyansk, eastern Ukraine on 12 Apr
Although deployed Russian forces in Ukraine have communications back to Moscow,
the commanders on the ground appear to have delegated authority to exploit
opportunities when they appear
Logistic Support
Deployed Russian forces have logistic support from a number of sources. Arms and
cash has been smuggled across the border from Russian and Crimea.. Credit and ATM
cards from Russian banks have been provided to allow deployed forces to access cash.
Private Security Company Support
These are providing manpower and logistic support for GRU operations in Crimea and
Ukraine. They have a ready pool of trained manpower (all ex-spetsnaz or airborne
forces) and local links to provide transport, safe houses and local knowledge.
Ukrainian private security companies are implicated in supplying vehicles for used by
Russian forces in Slavyansk. The Russian Ministry of Defence/Ministry of Interior
security/protection contracting agency, Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana, has been
implicated in the recruitment of former special forces operatives to augment the GRU
spetsnaz
Russian private security operatives linked to
Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana company storm
Simferopol parliament in Crimea 27 Feb 2014
© timripley@hotmail
Time Lines for Operation Donbas
1st -6th March
First Pro-Russian uprising across Eastern Ukraine. Government Buildings seized in Kharkov, Donetsk and
Lugansk. ‘People’s Revolution’ declared in Donetsk. Ukrainian security forces re-capture buildings and
arrest ring-leaders of the ‘revolution’.
S
Second
dW
Week
k off M
March
h
Preparatory Phase. Russian nationalists step up links with pro-Russian groups in Donbass to help them reorganise. Russian troops begin deploying to Ukrainian border. Ukrainians start to arrest GRU operatives
crossing into Ukraine from east and Crimea, carrying arms, money and instructions to seize government
buildings.
g
Last Week of March
Deployment Phase. Crimea operation completed. GRU steps up infiltration of Ukraine, including liaison
officers and assault teams. Second wave of Russian troops moved to border with Ukraine, building force
to 40,000 troops.
6th/7th April
Break-in Phase. New round of seizures of government buildings in Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkov.
Ukrainian government fails to follow through on threats to take back the buildings in Donetsk and
Lugansk. People’s Republic of Donetsk declared and referendum on independence set for 11th May.
12th-14th April
Exploitation Phase. GRU-led assault teams take Slavyansk and Kramatorsk police stations. A second
phase
h
off attacks
k follows,
f ll
seizing
i i more than
h 10 other
h police
li stations
i
andd government buildings
b ildi
in
i Donetskk
regions.
15th April onwards
Consolidation Phase. Emphasis on securing objectives and preventing Ukrainians re
re-asserting
asserting control to
allow independence referendum to go ahead uninterrupted.
Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) arrests and
arms seizures, March/April 2014
© timripley@hotmail
Up 17 Apr SBU claim to have arrested 40
Russian GRU (General Staff Intelligence
Directorate) agents in Ukraine or
attempting
tt
ti to
t enter
t the
th country
t
(above) GRU agent Maria Koleda
who was arrested on 8 Apr during
shoot out in Kherson
(above) Passports, documents, data storage and
digital cameras seized from GRU agent 10 April
(above) Transnister KGB captain arrested
crossing into Ukraine on 31 Mar
(above) Credit cards from Russian banks
and documents seized from GRU agent 15
April
(above and below) Arms seized
on 5 Apr
p from 15 ‘subversives’
attempting to enter Ukraine near
Lugansk from Russia. Weapons
include AK-47 assault rifles,
heavy machine guns and rocket
propelled grenades
(above and left) Arms seized on 14 Mar
at border crossing points from Russia,
including hand guns and AKS-74
assault rifle
© timripley@hotmail
The April Uprising – Donetsk Region Successful Building Seizures
Artemivsk admin
building seized 13 Apr
p
Seversk admin
building - 18 Apr
Lugansk SBU building
- 6 Apr
Lugansk regional government
office – 29 Apr
Slavyiansk police HQ – 12 Apr
Sloyansk TV masts - 17 Apr
Town fully under separatist
control
Kramatorsk police
station – 12 Apr
SBU building – 22 Apr
Gorlovka police
station - 14 Apr
Gorlivika city hall – 30 Apr
Druzhkovka
government
building - 12 Apr
Yenakiyeve Government
building - 13 Apr
Interior Ministry Vasylivka
training centre?
Kostyantynivka Police station and
city administration building – 28 Apr
Alchevsk council buildings seized - 30 Apr
Makiyivka
y
government
g
Building – 13 Apr
Unsuccessful Seizure Attempts
p
Donetsk SBU building - 6 Apr (re-captured)
Kharkiv regional administrative building - 6 Apr (re-captured)
Kharkiv TV station - 7 Apr
Mykolayiv government building - 7 Apr.
Krasnyi Liman police station - 12 Apr
Dobropillya government building - 13 Apr
Krasnoarmiisk - MIA base - 16 Apr
Mauripol national guard base - 17 Apr
Stakhanov police station – 17 Apr
Artemivsk military arms depot – 24 Apr
Donetsk admin building - 6 Apr
Donetsk police HQ – 12 Apr
Donetsk council building - 16 Apr
Mauripol government
building – 13 Apr
Donetsk TV masts - 17 Apr
Donetsk TV station – 27 Apr
Donetsk prosecutors office – 1 May
Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation, 13-16 April
SBU column ambushed
north of Slavyansk
y
13 Apr
p
by Russian spetsnaz
1 KIA and 5 WIA
SBU Alpha and MIA
Omega spetsnaz units
Sets up forward base
At Izjum 15 Apr
© timripley@hotmail
GRU liaison team
and pro-Russian
pro Russian
para-militaries seize
Ukrainian BMD-2s
on 16 Apr and move
them to Slavyansk
police station
.
Clashes
With
civilians
Column of 14 BMD-2
Vehicles of 25 Airborne
Brigade advance from West
on 16 Apr.
Apr Turned back by
civilians after handing over
ammo
Column of 6 BMD-2
Vehicles of 25tth Airborne
Brigade advance from south
To Kramatorsk railway station
on 16 Apr. Surrenders vehicles
and troops captured.
Airborne operation by SBU Alpha and MIA
Omega spetsnaz units to capture Kramatorsk
airbase on 15 Apr. General Vasily Krutov, first
deputy head of the Ukrainian Security Service
(SBU) leads operation.
© timripley@hotmail
Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation, 23 Apr Onwards
Column of 10 MIA AFV advancing from Izjum drives
rd
out separatists from Svyatogorsk on 23
Then moves to clear road block north Slavyansk at
th
Khrestyshche on 24 Apr
Slavyansk
Pro-Russian Para-Military Stronghold
SBU Alpha and MIA
Omega spetsnaz units
Sets up forward base
At Izjum
Clashes
Para-militaries
Ukrainian Forward
Operating Base
At Kramatorsk airbase
th
Column of 6 BMD AFV of 95
Airborne advancing from south to
Slavyansk reaches Malynivka
th
on 24 Apr
© timripley@hotmail
Pro-Russian Political Leadership in Eastern Ukraine
Leaders
of
March
Uprising
Pavel Gubarev
Robert Donia
(People's Governor
(arrested 4 Apr)
of Donetsk arrested
3 Mar. Released on 7 May)
Arsen Klinchayev
(arrested 11 Mar)
People’s Republic of Donetsk (PRD), declared 7 Apr
Leaders
of
April
Uprising
Alexander Borodai
(Prime Minister of
PRD))
Vyacheslav
Denis Pushilin
Ponomarev
(chairman of PRD
(self declared
in Donetsk)
mayor off Sl
Slavyansk)
k)
Catherine
Gubarev
((wife of Pavel
and PRD
foreign inister)
On 24th May the PRD and PRL leaderships declared the formation a
unified state of New Russia, incorporating both Donetsk and Lugansk regions
Mikhail Dobkin
Party of Region's
Presidential candidate
(arrested 10 Mar, then
transferred to house arrest)
Lugansk People’s
Republic (PRL),
declaired 27 Apr
Oleksiy Karakin
(leader of group
in SBU building
in Lugansk)
Valery Bolotov
(Governor of
People’ss Republic
People
Of Lugansk)
Russian and Pro-Russian Military Forces in Eastern Ukraine
Russian Units
GRU (General Staff
Intelligence Directorate)
Contingent
Donetsk
(li i
(liaison
team)
t
)
Agent Agat
GRU Colonel Igor Strelkov/Girkin
((Agent
g Strielok/Gunslinger)
g )
Sergei Zdrylink (deputy comd)
Kramatorsk/
Slavyansk
(liaison team)
Agent Nose
2 x GRU spetsnaz
Assault Teams
Gorlovka
(Liaison team)
Self-styled ‘Lieutenant
Colonel' Igor
g Bezlar.
Former spetsnaz officer
and named as GRU agent
by SBU. He has been
linked to organised crime
and the security team of
a pro-Russian
pro Russian politician
in Donetsk.
Tier 1 - Russian
GRU/Spetsnaz. Armed with
AK 74 sniper
AK-74s,
i
rifles, RPG-26/30? ,
Igla (SA-18) manportable
surface to air missiles
Tier 2 – Russian Private
securityy operatives,
p
Cossack
para-military police,
Chechen MVD
forces and military veterans.
Armed with AKs, sniper
rifles, RPG-26 and mortars,
9k115 Metis ATGW
© timripley@hotmail
Estimated
Strength
20 to 30
personnel
1000+
personnel
People’s Army of the Donbas/People’s Militia of the Donbas/
Volunteer Guards/Lugansk Guard/Army of South East
Lugansk
g
(liaison team)
Tier 3 – Ukrianian
police and military
veterans. Includes
Berkut riot police.
Armed with AKs and
pistols
Tier 4 – local
Pro-Russian Protestors.
Many armed with
commercial fire arms.
Includes Oplot
S t club
Sports
l b from
f
Kharkov.
Tier 4 – local
Pro-Russian
Civilians.
Participate
in blockades and
riots
2000+
Personnel
in Slavyansk,
Kramatorsk and
Lugansk
2,000+
Personnel
(mainly
In Donetsk
And Lugansk
Crowds of 500+ common in confrontations with Ukrainian
troops. 2,000 took to streets of Odessa on 2 May
Linkages in Eastern Ukraine and Russia
Pro Russian Politicians in Ukraine
Russian
Nationalists
Intellectual and
Propaganda Support
Alexander
Dugin
Olegg Tsaryev,
y ,
leader SouthEast Movement
for Federation
Made election
speeches from seized
buildings
Provided
mentoring via
Skype
Anton Rayevsky
(deported from
Odessa for
recruiting
pro-Russia
armed
groups)
Strategic
Direction
Lt Gen Igor Sergun
Director of GRU
Moscow
Vladimir Lukin
Special Envoy
to Ukraine
of President Putin
Mikhail Dobkin
Pro-Russia Party of
Region's Presidential
candidate
Campaigning to restore
relations with Moscow
People’s
Republic
of Lugansk
Signed security
agreement with
PRD
NEW RUSSIA
People’s
Republic of Donetsk
Accused funding
building
occupations in
Odessa
People’s Army
of Donbas
Liaison
and
tactical
control
T l h
Telephone
conversation between
Katy Gubarev and
Colonel Strelkov
arranging for state
buildings to be seized
in Donetsk
Russian GRU (General
Staff Intelligence
Telephone conversations bugged Directorate) Contingent
indicating Lukin co-ordinated in Eastern Ukraine
seizure of OSCE monitors
© timripley@hotmail
Financial
Backers
and
Logistic
Support
Viktor
Medvedchuk
Pro Putin
Pro-Putin
Ukrainian
Oligarch
Rinat
Akhetov
Ukrainian
Oligarch
former Prime
Minister Sergiy
Arbuzov (L)
and former
Deputy
Prime Minister
Oleksand
Klymenko
Yevgeniy Lykhozhon
Suspected of
supplying
vehicles to
GRU teams
CEO Vayir-2000 Private
security company
Sberbank, Moscow
transfers funds to
GRU operatives via
ATM network
Future Russian Moves?
Over the next two weeks, Russian forces and pro-Russian groups
will seek secure and expand their position in eastern Ukraine to
allow the successful conducting of the 11th May independence
referendum. This will coincide with the celebrations of the 70th
Anniversary of the Soviet Victory over Nazi Germany and is a very
symbolic date for Putin and other Russian nationalist.
Russian A50 AWACS
at airbase near Rostov
mid Apr 2014 to
monitor Ukrainian
airspace and
potentially allow
imposition of no fly
zone (via IHS Jane’s)
Options include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Extension of police station and government building seizures to
Lugansk, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiiv regions. Deployment of
additional spetsnaz teams and arms deliveries to boost capabilities of
People’s Army of Donbas. Least risky option. Appearance of MANPAD
surface to air missiles and advanced anti-tank weapons in eastern
Ukraine suggest this is underway.
Selective assassinations of senior Ukrainian leaders and politicians to
‘decapitate’ Kiev government. Begun with attempted assassination of
mayor of Kharlov
Cut off Gas and oil supplies.
Declaration of No-Fly Zone over Donbas by Russian air force to
‘protect’ population from Ukrainian air attack. Russians have deployed
AWACS radar aircraft and Su-27 fighters near Rostov.
Naval blockade of Ukrainian coast line by Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Symbolic incursions by Russian armoured troops to ‘protect’ proRussian enclaves. This would be at the higher end of escalation and risk
all out war with Ukraine, as well as possibly US or NATO intervention
The leader
Th
l d off the
h 2004 O
Orange R
Revolution,
l i Viktor
Vik
Yushchenko, was poisoned in a suspected FSB hit
Russian airborne troops near Kharkov Mar 2014
Background Resoures
Troop Deployments
and
Ch
Chronologies
l i
Eastern Ukraine Unrest March 2014
Pro-Russian unrest,
demos, riots and blockades
off army units
it
The Kharkiv, Lugansk and Donetsk
regions are the heart of pro
pro-Russian
Russian
sentiment in Ukraine.
The March Uprising was largely selfgenerated from within the Donbass area
and was put down relatively easily by
Ukrainian security forces.
© [email protected]
Major Events
1-6
1
6 Mar. Unrest and demonstrations across East. Government buildings in
Kharkiv and Donetsk seized. Kharkiv buildings recaptured on 1 Mar.
3 Mar - Pavel Gubarev declared pro-Russian People’s Governor of
Donetsk.
6 Mar – Ukrainian police + SBU recapture buildings in Donetsk.
Gubarev arrested.
9 Mar – demonstrators seize Lugansk government buildings
11 Mar – Ukrainian police and SBU retake buildings in Lugansk. Local
pro-Russian leader, Arsen Klinchayev arrested
13 Mar – Rioting in Donetsk, 1 x killed
13 Mar – Russian troops deploy north of Kharkiv
14 Mar – 2 x pro-Russian leaders arrested by SBU
14 Mar - riots in Kharkiv – 2 x killed
15 Mar - Ukrainian T-64+BMP on border north Kharkiv
15Mar – 25 Airborne Brigade
g
begin
g move
to border east Donetsk
15 Mar –300 civilians prevent unloading of APC from train at
Kondrashevskaya Novaya/Lugansk
16 mar pro-Russian demos in Luhansk, Mariupol, Dnipropetrovsk,
Odessa, and Mykolaiv
16 Mar – riots in Kharkiv, books burnt
16 Mar – Donetsk security
y HQ
Q attacked by
y ppro-Russian civilians.
16 Mar – Border Guard posts blockaded
16 Mar – train with 6 x T-64, 16 x BMP, 5 x vehicles move through
Lugansk
16 Mar – armed men arrested by police in Zaporizhzhia
17 Mar – Pro-Russian civilians blockade
25 Airborne Brigade columns outside Donetsk. 1 column stopped from
deploying
p y g
17 Mar – riot police in Donetsk reinforced
18 Mar farmers prevent 25 Airborne Brigade deploying near Russian
border
19 Mar – additional riot police sent to Donetsk
19 Mar – 25 Airborne exercise outside Donetsk
19 Mar – Ukrainian police arrest 3 men in Lugansk allegedly forming
para-military
p
y cell
20 Mar – intruders attempt break into Melitopol airbase
20 Mar - Kherson's acting Mayor Volodymyr Mykolayenko announces he
planning to hold referendum on joining Russia
20 Mar – tanks explode in Kryvyi Rih garrison of
17th Armoured Brigade. Sabotage suspected
22 Mar – 5000 pro-Moscow civilians attend demo in Donetsk. Other
demos in Kharkv, Lugansk and Kherson
23 Mar – large Pro-Russian demo in Odessa
25 Mar - Mikhail Dobkin, the former governor of Kharkiv arrested for
alleged seperatism
26 Mar – tank and APC column deploys around Donetsk
Eastern & Southern Ukraine Unrest Apr 2014
© [email protected]
Major Events
Pro-Russian unrest,
demos,, riots and blockades
of army units
Govt Building seized by
Pro-Russian groups
The Kharkiv, Lugansk and
Donetsk regions are the heart of
pro-Russian sentiment in
Ukraine.
On 7 Apr, the Ukrainian PM said
Russia was conducting a “special
special
operation” in eastern Ukraine
5 Apr – 15 men with cache of 300 weapons arrested by SBU in Lugansk region
6 Apr – SBU and regional administrative buildings seized by demonstrators in both Lugansk and Donetsk, as well as regional administrative
building in Kharkiv
7 Apr – Donetsk government and SBU buildings still held. Protestors declare independentce and ask for Russian peacekeepers to help them.
Lugansk security building held by gunmen. Pro-Russians demonstrators declare Independent People’s Republic. Ukrainian MOI/SBU spetznaz
deployed to recapture government buildings. Rioting in Kharkiv . Demonstrators driven back from Kharkiv TV station and government
building in Mykolayiv. Su-27 flybys over Kharkiv and Donetsk by UAF. National Security and Defence Council Secretary Andriy Parubiy
and SBU chief Valentyn Nalyvaychenko arrived in Lugansk. Interior Minister Arsen Avakov arrived in Kharkiv. First Deputy Prime Minister
Vitaly Yarema arrives in Donetsk.
8 Apr – Spetsnaz retake government building in Kharkiv and SBU building in Donetsk.
9 Apr – stand-off continues in Donetsk and Lugansk. Unrest in Odessa, Nikoleyiv and Kherson. Barricades built in Odessa. Ukraine MOI
issues 48 hour ultimatum to building occupiers. 25 Airborne brigade at blockaded by Dobropole near Donetsk. Artillery brigade arrive in
Donetsk from west
10 Apr – Ukraine army base in Lugansk blockaded by protestors.
11 Apr –Ukraine PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk arrives in Donetsk as ultimatum is due to expire
12 Apr – armed group seize police HQ and SBU building in Slaviansk, then set up road blocks around the town. Attempt to seize to police
statiosn in Shakhtarsk and Gorlovka, as well as general prosecutor's office in Donetsk thwarted. Police HQ in Donetsk and police chief
resigns/defects. Government building in Druzhkovka seized. Fighting Kramatorsk police station seized after gun battle. Attack on Krasny
Lyman police station repelled after gun battle. Large demo in Kharkov and 30% of city’s police sacked. Police in Izjum defect to rebels. Arms
looted from army truck in Artemovsk
13 Apr - Government building seized in Yenakiyeve, Makiyivka, Mariupol city. Demonstrating in Zaporizhya and rioting in Kharkiv.
Attempted take overs of government buildings in Dobropillya and Horlivka. Ukrainian SBU spetsnaz attempt to take back Slaviansk but op
th
stalls, with 1 SBU KIA and 5 WIA. Mi-24 & Mi-8 fly-bys. 55 Artillery Brigades moves to Mauripol area.
14 Apr – unrest in Horlivka, police station attacked and overrun by mob after two day seige. Kramatorsk airport entrance seized.
15 Apr – Ukrainian SBU/MIA units heliborne operation to seize Kramatorsk airport.
th
16 Apr – two columns of 25 Airborne Brigade surrounded by crowds near Kramatorsk. 6 x BMD captured and a column of 14 vehicles forces
to retreat. Donetsk council building seized by armed men. Ukrainian national guard base in Mauripol attacked by armed men. 3 pro-Russians
th
killed and 63 arrested. People’s Republic of Donetsk announces it to hold independence referendum on 11 May. MIA base in Krasnoarmiisk
attacked but it is repulsed.
17 Apr - Ukrainian battalion deploys to Barvinkove by rail with 30 small tanks and 10 trucks. Crowd conducts demo at Donetsk airport. ProUkraine demo in downtown Donetsk. Armed men seize Donetsk and Sloyansk TV masts and switch them to Russian channels. Attempt to
storm police station in Stakhanov foiled by civilians. 100+ protestors march on Donetsk in response to ban on Russian males not being
allowed to enter Ukraine. Geneva peace deal agreed. Ukraine paratroopers attack road block at Serhiyivka.
18 Apr – rebel militia seize admin building in Seversk
th
19 Apr – 3 or 5 militiamen killed in Slavyiansk when u/I assailants attack checkpoint. 2 x BMD recaptured by Ukrainian 95 Airborne Brigade
troops near Kramatorsk.
20 Apr – journalist Irma Krat kidnapped in Slavyansk.
22 Apr
A – Ukrainian
k i i An-30
A 30 hit
hi by
b small
ll arms fire
fi over Slavyansk
Sl
k Kramatorskk SBU
S
office
ffi seized
i d and
d police
li chief
hi f kid
kidnapped.
d Locall proUkrainian politician kidnapped and killed. Ukrainian army checkpoint at Dobropilsky attacked with grenades thrown from four motorbikes. US
journalist seized in Slavyansk.
23 Apr – Krasnodonugol Mine seized in Lugansk region by Lugansk Guard militia and Kalinin Mine near Gorlovka, seized. Column of 10
MIA AFV advancing from Izjum drives out separatists from Svyatogorsk.
24 Apr – Mauripol town hall re-captured, 5 civilians wounded but then abandoned back to separatists. Attack on Armatorsk military base drive
off with casualties. Twin prong attack by Ukrainians on Slavyansk
25 Apr.
A Uk
Ukrainian
i i Mi-8
Mi 8 andd An-2
A 2 destroyed
d
d by
b RPG fi
fire at K
Kramatorsk
k airbase.
ib
7 iinternational
i l monitors
i
andd five
fi Ukrainian
Uk i i escorts seized
i d near
Slavyonsk. MIA says it has cleared four road blocks around Slavyonsk.
27 Apr –Donetsk TV station captured by rioters after police refused to defend building. 3 SBU spetsnaz officers captured near Slavyansk
28 Apr – Mayor of Kharkiv seriously wounded in assassination attempt. 2 x Ukrainian soldiers killed by IED near Slavyansk. Police station
and city administration building in Kostyantynivka captured.
29 Apr – Lugansk regional government office captured after riot police surrendered
30 Apr – Gorlivika city hall and Alchevsk council buildings seized. Grenade attack on check point in Odessa.
Eastern & Southern Ukraine Unrest May 2014
Pro-Russian unrest,
demos,, riots and blockades
of army units
Govt Building seized by
Pro-Russian groups
© [email protected]
Major Events
1 May - Donetsk prosecutors office captured after police refuse to defend it against rioters
rioters. Ukrainians claim to have re
re-captured
captured
government building in Mauripol.
2 May – Ukrainian army attacks around Slavyansk. 2 x Mi-24 shot down by MANPADs and at least 1 aircrew captured. 1 x Mi-8
damaged. Ukrainian airborne convoy stopped by large crowd of civilians 6 miles south of Slavyansk. Railway junction in Donetsk
seized. Prosecutors office in Donetsk reportedly evacuated. 2 Ukrainian soldiers killed in fighting.
Major rioting in Odessa, 40+ pro-Russians killed. 200+ injured. Estimated 4 pro-Ukrainian civilians killed.
5 May – 1 x Mi-24 shot down. 4 Ukrainian soldiers killed. 100 cossak fighters cross border in trucks to enter Antratsyt.
6 May – armed attacks on border posts in Sumy and Kherson regions.
regions
7 May – armed separatists raid Donetsk military academy and briefly hold cadets hostage to pre-empt right sector seizure of arms
depot. Ukrainian security briefly recapture Mauripol government building before retreating. 1 man in car killed when troops open
fire at Slavyansk check point. Pavel Gubarev and two other pro-Russian political prisoners swapped for the three SBU spetsnaz
POWs.
8 May – drive-by shooting of civilian in Lugansk. 40 armed men attack Izvarino border crossing point but driven off. Government
troops re-take Mauripol government building but then retreat.
9 May – Victory Day riot in Mauripol.
Mauripol Police defect and fight troops in BMP.
BMP Police HQ set on fire,
fire 1 x BMP abandoned.
abandoned Troops
open fire and kill 8 x civilians. Police chief reported hanged by rioters. National Guard abandon base in city.
10 May – Ukrainian checkpoint neat Slavyansk attacked.
11 May – Ukrainian National Guard Dnipo Battalion move into Krasmoarmeysk and face protestors. Troops open fire and kill 1 x
civilian. Independence referendum in Donestsk and Lugansk. Both PRD and PRL declare independence.
13 May – 7 x Paratroopers killed in ambush outside Kramatorsk and 1 x rebel killed in subsequent firefight. Colonel Yuri Lebed,
commander of police Eastern Territorial Command captured by rebels. Valery Bolotov, leader of PRL shot and wounded.
14 May – MIA base in Dontesk attacked. Election officials kidnapped in Lugansk and Kramatorsk. Kramatorsk TV transmitter
cleared by Ukrainian national guard
15 May – Ukrainian claim to have captured two rebel bases near Kramatorsk and Slaynask.
16 May - National Guard VCP outside Mauripol attacked. Kramatorsk airport attacked. Election officials kidnapped in
Lugansk.Fighting around Slavyansk. Ukrainian Oligarch Rinat Akhetov’s company Metinvesk signs security deal with PDR
regime.
17 May – Army of South East Alexi Rilke captured in Lugansk. Fighting in Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. Valery Bolotov arrested at
border check point on his retrun from medical treatment in Moscow but freed when 200 rebels suround border post.
18 May – Ukrainian army seize MANPADS near Slavyansk
19 May – Fagot ATGW used by rebels in Slavyansk
20 May – 12 x election offices in Donetsk and Lugansk raided by rebels. Ukrainian army shells Slavyansk. Rebels set up VCP in
centee of Donetsk with BTR
22 May – 20 x rebels arrive in minibuses to ambush Ukrainian army reservists check point at Blahodatve/Volnovokhe, 40 km south
st
of Donetsk, destroying 3 x BMP, killing 16 troops and wounding 33 of 51 Armoured Brigade. Only seven survivors from unit.
Large
g quantity
q
y small arms and RPG
G captured.
p
1xU
Ukrainian soldiers killed in attack on checkpoint
p
at Rbizhe. 5 x border gguards
wounded in attack on border crossing point in Lugansk. Russian Mi-8 flies over border near Sumy. 4 x coal mines in Lugansk
region seized by rebels who want to take away explosives. Ukrainian column ambused near Rubizhne and Novodruzhesk in
Lugansk, 7 x ukrainian soldiers KIA. 1 x POW and 17 wounded. 3 x BMP destroyed17 rebels killed.
23 May – Ukraine NG Donbas battalion attacked by rebel Vostok Battalion and forced to retreat, loosing 5 KIA, 20 wounded and
unconfirmed POW. 1 x BMP abandoned in retreat by NG. Seven truck carrying armed rebels cross border near Lugansk.
24 May – Lugansk TV tower captured by rebels. New Russia declared by PRD and PRL leaderships. 5 x trucks and 3 x cars
carrying
y g armed men cross into Donetsk region.
g
25 May – Ukraine Presidential election
26 May – Vostok Battalion attempts to seize Donetsk airport. Ukraine launch heli-borne operation to take it back with paratroops in
5 x Mi-8. 3 x Mi-24, 2 x Su-25 and 1 x MiG-29 give CAS. Two rebel Kamaz trucks hit by Mi-24? Strike and 33+ rebels killed. 2 x
civilians killed in neighbourhood by cross fire. Donetsk ice hockey stadium set on fire. 4 x OSCE observers seized by rebels near
Slavyansk.
27 May – Ukrainian troop successfully clear airport of last rebels. Rebel leader Ivan Lysenko arrested in Kharkiv by SBU
28 May - 1000 miners stage protest in Donetsk in support of rebels. Supermarket looted near airport. Parents of National Guard
Ukraine Theatre – Mar-Apr 2014
Main Ground Force Dispositions
Kiev
HQ Ukrainian
Land Force
+ HQ 8th
Army Corps
HQ 20th Army
(command
northern axis)
Russian Forces
Russian
R
i 1st Echelon
E h l – 7 combat
b t groups (30,000
(30 000 troops)
t
)
2nd Echelon Reservves – 5 combat groups (25,000 troop
(positioned up to 1 week’s drive from Ukrainian border)
+ 1,200 troops in Transnistria
Combat Group – up to 5,000 troops
HQ 49th Army
(command
Southern axis)
Dnipropetrovsk
HQ Ukrainian
6th Army Corps
Ukrainian army
Brigade –
2,5000 troops
Ukrainian Forces
Frontline Units – 4-5
4 5 brigades (10
(10-15,000
15 000 army troops + 55,000
000 para-military
para military units)
Total Ukrainian Regular Land Forces – 63,000 (60% conscripts)
Plus
Mobilised Reserves – 20,000?
National Guard/Militia Groups – 20,000?
Transnistria
Rostov-on Don
HQ Southern Military District
(Overall Command Ukraine Operation)
SBU Alpha Spetsnaz
MIA Omega Spetsnaz
Army Aviation 3 x Mi-8, 1 x Mi-24
Ukrainian Military Deployments in Donbas, April 2014
Ukrainian Forces
Deployed
p y Forces in Donbas
•3,000 army troops
•2,500 paramilitary/police
Lugansk City
Police/Border Guards/Interior Ministry Troops
– 600 para-militrary
ilit
ttroops with
ith lilight
ht arms
Detachmen SBU Spetsnaz
Lugansk Civil Airport
Border Guard Base
Dobropilsky
Battalion from
95th Airborne
Brigade, with
400 troops
and
14+ BMPAPC
30km from border
BM-21 battalion, with 1 x T-64 and
assorted BTRs and MLTBs
Battalion from 93rd Mechanised
Brigade?,
600 troops, deployed in two
company groups, each with
14+ BMP/BTR APC, 6 x T-64
Donetsk Military Garrison
th
156 Air Defence Regiment
(500 troops BUK-M1 SAM)
Logistics Base
Ukraine Border Guard
Crossing Points
(approx 50 armed border guards)
Donetsk Civil Airport
Border Guard Base
Donetsk City
Police/Border
Guards/Interior Ministry
Troops
p – 600 p
para-military
y
troops with light arms
Detachment SBU
Spetsnaz
Battalion from 25th Airborne
Brigade 600+ troops deployed in
three Company groups, each with
8 x BMD-2 APC and 14 trucks.
Units at Volnovaka and
Amvrosilijivka
Supported by Mechanised
company with 2 x T-64 tanks, 8 x
BMP from
f
17
1 th Armoured
A
d
Brigade?
55th Artillery Brigade deployed in
mid April with 2 x 152mm
battalions and 1 x MB-21 MLRS
battaltion