Rebels continue to press attacks on Debaltsevo
2015-01-30
Posted by: badanov
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By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
Anti Ukrainian rebels continued pressing attacks on the Debaltsevo salient, with reported losses of 13 for the rebels according to various Russian language sources.
A textual summary of Donetsk deputy defense minister Eduard Basurin said that attacks by the rebels are forcing the Ukrainian Army to reinforce the sector, presumably in anticipation of further attacks.
Meanwhile in nearby Gorvlovka, which is several kilometers to the west, shelling by both sides continued.
Ukrainian military journalist Dmitri Tymchuk said that rebel commanders have received some reinforcements in Gorlovka to include a total of 10 armor vehicles, among them four tanks, which are to be dug in in Gorlovka.
A video of a news report said that a total of 8,000 Ukrainian troops are dug in at Debaltsevo, while other reports say Ukrainian troops' defenses around the city are layered. Rebels claim to have troops already in the extreme eastern outskirts of the town.
A news account posted on the pro rebel Voice of Sevastopol said that rebels continue to attack the eastern and western walls of salient at several points including in Uglegorsk. According to the report, those attacks are forcing the Ukrainian troops inside the salient to draw troops away from other sectors in order to drive rebel gains back.
Rebel troops continue to attack the "mouth" of the salient with renewed attacks in the area. However, most of the time, rebel have been forced to deal with Ukrainian counterattacks and attempts to retake Krasnii Pukhar on the eastern edge of the salient. Some rebel forces were forced to go over to the defensive to hold positions gained just days ago.
Tymchuk said that an apparent rebel attack at Troiskye, also near the mouth of the salient, failed, and rebel troops were forced back by Ukrainian counterattacks.
The Debaltsevo salient is important to both sides no just because of the mass of Ukrainian troops holding the position but also because Debaltsevo is astride a major crossroads, a road system that can be used by either side to switch troops and supplies to threatened sectors of the front. In its present form, the Debaltsevo salient is dubbed a Ukrainian "spirngboard" for further offensive operations, or, possibly a resumption of its offensive plans to encircle the citty of Donetsk. That operation was stopped last August when a large Ukrainian mobile force, the other half of a pincher was stopped, surrounded and destroyed by rebel forces at Ilovaisk.
Tymchuk reported on Thursday that a total of 2,500 rebel troops, 35 tanks, 50 armored fighting vehicles, 50 tubes of artillery including self-propelled artillery, and 22 rocket artillery launchers, were moved into the area in the last 48 hours.
Tymchuk said that five battalion tactical groups comprise comprise some of the forces dedicated to rebel offensive operations near Debaltsevo.
Rebel media said that the the Ukrainian army is preparing an offensive on Gorlovka and surrounding environs.
Donetsk and Avdievka
Rebel media said Thursday that Ukrainian artillery in Avdievka and Opotnye continued to hit targets in Donetsk city, hitting Petrovsky and Kievsky districts. Rebel media noted Thursday that unlike just a month ago, Ukrainian artillery fire is nearly continuous in the city, in nearly every sector in the city.
Ukrainian military journalist Roman Burko said Wednesday that Ukrainian artillery fire was used against rebel troops marshaling and supply points in Petrovsky district in Donetsk city.
According to a summary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin, the combat situation in Peski and Avdievka, northwest of Donetsk city, have stabilized, although repeated rebel attempts to fully take both cities have failed. Rebel media has claimed several times that they have taken control of Peski, and Rozhin has confirmed that a larger part of the village is controlled by rebel troops, but fully taking control of the village has eluded rebel forces.
Further south of Donetsk, artillery of the Ukrainian 28th Brigade has been shelling Yelenovka for three days, according to rebel media. Rebel counterbattery fire has been striking at Ukrainian artillery claiming one unidentified artillery battery, although the type of artillery destroyed was not apparent in rebel reports.
Northern Lugansk and Highway T1301
Rebel and Ukrainian artillery units continue to exchange fire at locations on the Northern Donetsk River and on T1303. Just a few days ago, rebels were claiming part of T1303 under their control, but those positions have been since shelled by Ukrainian artillery units.
Chris Covert writes about foreign military issues for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com. You can read past articles about the 2014 war in southeastern Ukraina by clicking here.
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