This morning terrorists performed an air strike on a residential building in Snezhnoye (Snizhne in Ukrainian transcription). According to our data, Snezhnoye serves as a base for up to 4 mechanized brigades (from Russia). Battalion tactical teams of Russian terrorists were formed based on these brigades. Snezhnoye was chosen as a base due to its favorable location. The city is located halfway between Donetsk and Luhansk and has a good road network. Additionally, Snezhnoye is not far from the Russian border. Local terrain allows to disguise significant forces. The build-up of large forces became possible because of diversion of attention towards Saur-Mogila area as well as Izvarino border post. Moreover first Russian armored convoys entered Ukraine back in May through the nearby Dyakovo border post. 

Both Donetsk and Luhansk militants get reinforcements from Snezhnoye. Today we got an additional proof that the main enemy’s forces are disguised; what they show is the same group of armored units in multiple places. Donetsk city web cameras were turned on specifically to show moving tanks. This allows terrorist to concentrate strike forces in necessary locations. Something similar happened in Donetsk airport this evening. The formation of strike force in Donetsk airport may have two outcomes: (1) an assault on the airport or (2) an assault towards Karlovka village. The first possibility is in line with the increased activity in Russian air bases near Ukrainian border that may indicate airlift preparations. The second scenario will mean a consequent strike towards Dimitrov and Pavlohrad; this possibility has already been considered by other sources. 

It’s worth to mention the ongoing fortification activities north of Donetsk near Gorlovka. Militants created a heavily fortified area among the network of ponds near Luhanskoye village as well as Gorlovka itself. The terrain features near Zaytsevo village makes the area practically impassable by armored vehicles. Also almost any bridge near Donetsk or Luhansk may be blasted at any time. . 

As for the Luhansk area, the presence of a large number of enemy’s troops near Kamenets-Shaktinsky is quite disturbing. Yes, Russian military will be called enemy from now on since 4 brigades we mentioned previously are regular Russian troops not militants. The presence of troops in the said area may result in a joint strike from both Matveyev Kurgan and Kamenets-Shaktinsky towards Luhansk in case of a large-scale military conflict. As a result Ukrainian forces located near Rovenki will get encircled. If Vladimir “Khuilo” Putin will avoid an open invasion the encirclement will be accomplished by troops based near Snezhnoye. Before that an attack toward Amvrosiyevka and Uspenka will take place in order to cut down our supply lines. Our forces will be subsequently destroyed near Rovenki. 

Another thing is worth mentioning. Terrorists carried out attack on our air defense stations in the region some time ago. This resulted in a loss of airspace control in the region. As a result there is a possibility of airstrikes on ATO forces. At the same time, it becomes difficult to prove an airspace breach. The situation around an airstrike of a residential building as well as helicopters breaching Ukrainian airspace earlier today remains unclear. 

Crimea. The Reconquista
The attack. 
A group of unknown people was throwing stones and bottles from the bridge towards a Russian military convoy near Simferopol, Crimea. The convoy consisted of a Kamaz truck and two APC vehicles. The truck got serious damage because the driver collided with an electric pole due to the damaged windshield. Several Russian servicemen got minor injured as the result of a fall from APC when vehicles used emergency brakes. 
The explosion.
Today two explosions with a 10 minute interval occurred in Simferopol next to a branch of a Ukrainian bank “Khreschatyk”. There is no official information about the explosions. The occupier forces didn’t comment on the event. 
The activities of volunteer battalions of territorial defense 
Aidar
Today Aidar servicemen uncovered a stockpile of weapons and incriminating documents in a vacation house of Spiridon Kilinkarov, a Ukrainian lawmaker and a member of Communist Party of Ukraine.
Azov
Today Azov battalion servicemen detained Aleksey Pabushkov aka “Grek”, an accomplice of a well-known terrorist from DPR nicknamed “Chechen”. Andrei Borisov aka “Chechen” was a leader of a combat wing of a terrorist group DPR in Mariupol.

Roman Burko

Translated by Ludmila Popova

Russian version: АТО. Сводка за 15.07.14