Ukrainian Intelligence: Separatists are Training for New Offensive
Separatists in the Donetsk region are training for offensive ground actions in the area of Torez in eastern Ukraine. This was reported on Monday by the Chief of the Ukrainian Intelligence Agency.
“At the same time as showing a readiness to comply with the provisions of the Minsk Agreements, the Command of the Russian Forces has intensified measures to increase the combat capability of formations of the 1st and 2nd Territorial Army of the South Command,” the report stated.
“The offensive and counter-attack activities of the combat training show that the enemy has not abandoned plans for expansion of the controlled territories. They use the so-called truce to prepare for the resumption of armed conflict. In the area of Torez in particular, they are preparing large-scale offensive training of the 1 AK units. They currently have 40 tanks, 70 armored fighting vehicles and six 122mm MLRS Grad,” the message continued.
The Intelligence has noted that the direct control over the training activities is carried out by the Commission of the Center of the Territorial Troops of the Southern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.
It was also noted that representatives of the Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe have been provided with information relating to the presence of weapons in the areas of Donetsk, Makiivka and Zaitseve. These weapons include tanks and mortars of 120mm caliber, which are strictly prohibited under the Minsk Agreements.