The War in Donbass is an armed conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine. From the beginning of March 2014, protests by pro-Russian and anti-government groups took place in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine–together commonly known as the “Donbass,” in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the Euromaidan movement. These demonstrations, which followed the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, were part of a wider group of concurrent, pro-Russian protests across southern and eastern Ukraine They escalated into an armed conflict between the separatist forces of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR respectively) and the Ukrainian government. From May 2014 until a change of the top leadership in August 2014, some of the top leaders were Russian citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic. During the middle of 2014, Russian paramilitaries were reported to make up between 15% and 80% of the combatants.
Between 22 and 25 August, 2014, Russian artillery, personnel, and what Russia called a “humanitarian convoy” crossed the border into Ukrainian territory without the permission of the Ukrainian government. Crossings occurred both in areas under the control of pro-Russian forces and areas that were not under their control, such as the south-eastern part of Donetsk Oblast, near Novoazovsk. These events followed the reported shelling of Ukrainian positions from the Russian side of the border over the course of the preceding month. Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko said that the events of 22 August were a “direct invasion by Russia of Ukraine.” Western and Ukrainian officials described these events as a “stealth invasion” of Ukraine by Russia. Two years later, in October 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the incursion, feeling they were “forced to defend the Russian-speaking population in Donbass.”
As a result of this, DPR and LPR insurgents regained much of the territory they had lost during the preceding government military offensive. A deal to establish a ceasefire, called the Minsk Protocol, was signed on 5 September, 2014.Violations of the ceasefire on both sides were common. Amidst the solidification of the line between insurgent and government-controlled territory during the ceasefire, warlords took control of swaths of land on the insurgent side, leading to further destabilization. The ceasefire completely collapsed in January 2015, with renewed heavy fighting across the conflict zone, including the Donetsk International Airport and at Debaltseve. A new ceasefire, called Minsk II, was agreed upon on 12 February, 2015. Immediately following the signing of the agreement, separatist forces launched an offensive on Debaltseve and forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw from it.
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The War in Donbass is an armed conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine. From the beginning of March 2014, protests by pro-Russian and anti-government groups took place in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine–together commonly known as the “Donbass,” in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and the Euromaidan movement. These demonstrations, which followed the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, were part of a wider group of concurrent, pro-Russian protests across southern and eastern Ukraine They escalated into an armed conflict between the separatist forces of the self-declared Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR respectively) and the Ukrainian government. From May 2014 until a change of the top leadership in August 2014, some of the top leaders were Russian citizens in the Donetsk People’s Republic. During the middle of 2014, Russian paramilitaries were reported to make up between 15% and 80% of the combatants.
Between 22 and 25 August, 2014, Russian artillery, personnel, and what Russia called a “humanitarian convoy” crossed the border into Ukrainian territory without the permission of the Ukrainian government. Crossings occurred both in areas under the control of pro-Russian forces and areas that were not under their control, such as the south-eastern part of Donetsk Oblast, near Novoazovsk. These events followed the reported shelling of Ukrainian positions from the Russian side of the border over the course of the preceding month. Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko said that the events of 22 August were a “direct invasion by Russia of Ukraine.” Western and Ukrainian officials described these events as a “stealth invasion” of Ukraine by Russia. Two years later, in October 2016, Russian President Vladimir Putin justified the incursion, feeling they were “forced to defend the Russian-speaking population in Donbass.”
As a result of this, DPR and LPR insurgents regained much of the territory they had lost during the preceding government military offensive. A deal to establish a ceasefire, called the Minsk Protocol, was signed on 5 September, 2014.Violations of the ceasefire on both sides were common. Amidst the solidification of the line between insurgent and government-controlled territory during the ceasefire, warlords took control of swaths of land on the insurgent side, leading to further destabilization. The ceasefire completely collapsed in January 2015, with renewed heavy fighting across the conflict zone, including the Donetsk International Airport and at Debaltseve. A new ceasefire, called Minsk II, was agreed upon on 12 February, 2015. Immediately following the signing of the agreement, separatist forces launched an offensive on Debaltseve and forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw from it.
In the months after the fall of Debaltseve, minor skirmishes continued along the line of contact, but no territorial changes occurred. This stalemate led the war to be labeled by some as a “frozen conflict.” Despite this, the area stayed a war zone with dozens of soldiers and civilians killed each month. Since the start of the conflict, there have been more than 10 ceasefires, each intended to be indefinite, with the latest having started on 25 August, 2017; both sides claim it collapsed almost instantly.
The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR or DNR)
Head of State: Alexander Zakharchenko
There have been other actors in the past that have been active in the Donetsk Oblast, and some still remain active:
President of Ukraine: Petro Oleksiyovych Poroshenko
Other Pro-Ukrainian actors that are and have been active in the Donetsk Oblast:
The original aim of The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR or DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR or LPR) was to destabilize and disrupt East Ukraine. This would draw the Ukrainian security forces’ attention away from the annexation of Crimea. After the annexation of Crimea, the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR or DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR or LPR) would seek independence from Ukraine, which would also strengthen its ties with Russia and bolster its agenda with the fight in east Ukraine.
It’s undeniable at this stage to question whether or not Russia is involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Despite Russia’s consistent denial of its involvement in the conflict, President Vladimir Putin, in one of his Christmas speeches, said that Russia had advisers on the ground. Through a number of different sources and news agencies, there is enough evidence to support that Russia has troops in Ukraine. It is also hard to believe that the DNR/LNR could sustain the fight for 3 plus years given the intense fighting in some areas. Without a doubt, Russia is supporting the DNR/LNR and directly fueling the conflict in Ukraine.
Above: the Donetsk Oblast (in red)
Country: Ukraine
Established: June 3, 1938
Total Area: 26,517 km2 (10,238 sq mi)
Population: 4,356,392 (as of Sept. 1, 2013)
Official language: Russian (regional)
Time zone: EET (UTC+2)
Area code: +380-62
52 Cities total: 28 regional cities, 131 urban-type settlements, 1124 villages
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1MZl0aPsqyOohqExSrn14bYAwcn8&w=1000&h=600]
Tips for using this map: when you click on a point, you will be presented with a picture. Some points have 2-4 images.
Area of Interest: Dzerzhynske, just 10km from the outskirts of Mariupol, is a city of regional significance in southeastern Ukraine, situated on the north coast of the Sea of Azov. It is the tenth-largest city in Ukraine and the second largest in the Donetsk Oblast, with a population of 461,810 (2013 est). It remains a key area for both sides; the DNR would like to control Mariupol, and if they succeed it would serve as a new supply route from Russian annexed Crimea.
Images captured: 26th of February, 2017
A derelict farm complex, spanning 60m in width, is occupied by militants of DNR. “Position Alpha” is located on the outskirts Leninskie. Possible x2 foxholes in the front and x2 fighting positions to the rear of the building.
(47.139132, 37.850265)
A derelict farm complex, spanning approx 70m, is occupied by of the DNR with multiple trench systems and foxholes around the building, Most likely a Forward Operating Base (FOB) on the outskirts of Leninskie. This FOB is approximately 190m from DNR position (Alpha).
(47.139496,37.847201)
DNR Trench System (Alpha)
Spanning approximately 940m. Possible 3 Tank/BTR hides and 3 living areas located 600m outside the village of Leninske.
It lies at the tail end of the trench system (Alpha), with a possible hide for a Tank or drop point for APC/BMP. The living area can be located in the treeline, near two fighting positions.
(47.138195, 37.839617)
DNR Trench System (Bravo)
400m from DNR FOB (Bravo), located in the village of Leninske. x1 BTR 60–parked in the hide.
(47.144462, 37.845863); (47.144722, 37.846667)
The tail end of DNR Trench line (Bravo)
The living area can be seen in the treeline–note there are a number of track marks around the trench.
Possible Communications post is located at this trench
These single story civilian houses are occupied by fighters of DNR, and a possible Communications Center (COMSEN) is located in one of the houses.
x1 BMP located outside the complex in the village of Leninske.
Note: separate from the BMP in the trench, x2 BMP 60s in the area near Leninske.
(47.146429, 37.854252)
Military truck (KAMAZ) finishing a re-supply on the outskirts of Kominrernove; possible DNR FOB and trench system in the treeline.
(47.172950, 37.852520)
Artillery Fire positions of the DNR: Zaichenko. Possible 152mm howitzer, 120mm Mortar team.
Note: it’s behind civilian housing to prevent counter strikes.
Approx: 6.2km from the closest (UA) controlled village.
47 ° 10’50.7 “N 37 ° 51’54.5” E (47.180746, 37.865145) – 47 ° 10’53.0 “N 37 ° 51’52.9” E ( 47.181392, 37.864681)
This single story civilian house (FOB) in Kominternove is occupied by militants of the DNR. Signs of tracked vehicles in the area can be seen in the following image.
(47.180975, 37.832774)
Two story civilian houses (FOB) is occupied by militants of the DNR in Kominternove.
x1 military truck “KAMAZ.” Civilian cars: x2, most likely used by the DNR.
(47.181917, 37.832694)
Two stories civilian house (FOB) is occupied by fighters of the DNR.
x1 Tank (T-64), the main gun 125mm can be located in the village of Kominternove.
Approx: 3.7km from (UA) controlled Vodyane (Breach of the Minsk 2 agreement).
47 ° 10’41.3 “N 37 ° 48’60.0” E
These civilian houses (FOB) are occupied by militants of the DNR. One of the building has suffered damage from a possible mortar strike.
Movement of heavy vehicles can be seen around the the area. (UA) forces. Located in Kominternove.
(47.177433, 37.814466)
Civilian farm complex (FOB) is occupied by DNR fighters. x1 civilian cars, most likely used to transport fighters around the village. Located in Kominternove.
(47.176658, 37.810672)
Civilian houses (FOB) are occupied by DNR fighters (47.174171, 37.804305).
Trench located to the rear of the house, used as a firing position.
Approx: 2km to the town of Vodyane (UA) (47.173948, 37.804564).
In Kominrernove.
Military truck (KAMAZ) driving on MSR through Kominternove.
(47.174170, 37.810784)
All Images were collected and belong to the AUTHOR
At a summit in Minsk on 11 February, 2015, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany agreed to a package of measures to alleviate the ongoing war in the Donbass region of Ukraine. The talks that led to the deal, overseen by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), were organized in response to the collapse of the Minsk Protocol ceasefire in January-February 2015. The new package of measures is intended to revive the protocol, which had been agreed upon on 5 September, 2014.
Measures
The full text of the agreement is as follows:
Since the agreement was signed back in 2015, the lines have slightly moved with (UA) armed forces taking some ground back from the DNR.
The area is known as Dzerzhynske consists of the following villages: Dzerzhynske (DNR), Leninskie (DNR), Zaichenko (DNR) and Kominternove (DNR). From the images collected and analyzed, along with Ukrainian forces reports, we can see that there is a heavy presence of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) in the area. Clear fortification can be seen in and around the villages with the possibility of 2-4 BTRs, a T64-Tank and well-placed trench systems–the DNR has a strong foothold in the area. The BTR would provide the DNR to move troops around even under IDF, increasing their capabilities and decreasing the UA forces’ opportunities to assault. With heavy armor, artillery and infantry–not to mention that the DNR has been known to heavily mine areas of interest–if UA forces were to enter this area, their casualties would be catastrophic. Dzerzhynske is located close to Sakhanka, a stronghold of the DNR. Heavy artillery, a Grad, a mechanized brigade and fire support is close and in range.
KEY POINTS:
Featured image courtesy of the author; images of politicians and flags throughout courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
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