Igor Strelkov’s Briefings, June 27, 2014

Combined for June 27, 2014
Translated from Russian by Gleb Bazov / Edited by S. Naylor

Report on the OSCE Mission Visit to Slavyansk, June 27, 2014
Original: Strelkov Info

On June 26, 2014, OSCE personnel visited and inspected the ruins of Slavyansk.

Pursuant to the attendance, [OSCE] will prepare a report, which will be provided to Kiev.

According to a member of the OSCE monitoring group, Victor Likhachev:

“This attendance by OSCE personnel in Slavyansk will enable [the organization] to compile an objective overview of the conditions in the city. Following the visit, a report will be generate that will assist in tomorrow’s peace talks.

The diplomat further commented:

“The picture is grim, there is a lot of destruction. Experts can see evidence of mortar attacks, destroyed residential buildings/homes and infrastructure. I saw Slavyansk a month ago – it was completely different.”

According to Likhachev, the foremost task of the OSCE personnel is to gather information and specific facts concerning the state of affairs in the city and in the vicinity, as well as to evaluate the humanitarian situation. It is expected that the information collected by the [OSCE] mission about the destruction [in Slavyansk] will be provided to Kiev.

En route to Slavyansk, the personnel of the organization stopped over in Kramatorsk, where they were met by one of the Militia commanders, Alexander Mozhaev, more commonly know by his nickname “Babay”.

Video of OSCE’s Visit to Slavyansk

Video of OSCE’s Visit to Kramatorsk

Note: in a later statement broadcast on Lifenews.ru, a representative of DPR stated that militiamen were forced to save OSCE personnel from mortar fire en route to Slavyansk and that it was the witnessing by OSCE officials of the devastation wrought upon Slavyansk that compelled Poroshenko to extend the ceasefire by 72 hours.

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Briefing from Igor Strelkov, June 26, 2014, 13:05
Original: Icorpus.ru

Note: an entire platoon of NazGuard [National Guard] was completely routed by Igor Strelkov’s unit at the Mirniy checkpoint on June 27, 2014. The video of the aftermath is embedded above.

• Yesterday evening we attacked a checkpoint of the enemy near the Mirniy settlement. At first, the enemy troops put up fierce resistance, defending with grenade launchers, but ultimately fled anyways. At the very conclusion of the battle, Ukies were hit by their own artillery units, who were ordered to fire upon any checkpoint or position penetrated by the Militia.

• Our loses include one 200th [KIA – killed in action] and two 300th [WIA – wounded in action]. Both [of our] tanks that took part in the battle were hit with grenade launchers, but received no damage. The garrison of the enemy was completely routed. Two BTR-80 APCs burned down, the third was captured [by the Militia] and sent back to our rear, fully functional.

• In addition, the following [trophies] were taken: 1 functional mortar “Vasilyok”, with a full set of ammunition, 1 PTURS “Fagot” system with several charges, 3 functional AGS-17 “Plamya” grenade launchers with a large set of ammunition, several automatic rifles, an enormous amount of ammunition, grenades, etc., a lot of documentation, flags, and so on.

• At 04:00, the enemy launched sixteen 240mm shells at the city, aiming at wide areas.

• As of this morning, intermittent shelling with the use of heavy artillery continues.

Note: video of the interview with Igor Strelkov can be found here.

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Statement by Igor Strelkov, June 27, 2014, 16:36
Original: Strelkov Info

Commentary by Igor Strelkov with respect to Poroshenko’s extension of ceasefire by 72 hours.

Column after column is pushing its way toward us from Izyum – numerous! So, it’ll take them just about three days to concentrate their forces [and prepare] for attack. If we let them, of course. So, we will not be complying with any ceasefire in these circumstances. Our conditions remain unchanged – withdrawal of forces to a distance of at least 10 kilometres, cessation of artillery shelling, unblocking of communication routes.

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Information from the Special Correspondent of Komsomolskaya Pravda, Dmitry Steshin, June 27, 2014, 11:22
Original: @kp_steshin Tweet #1 & Tweet #2

Two days ago, the only lifeline path into Slavyansk was cut off with a Ukie checkpoint. Today militiamen broke through the blockade. Two tanks were used in the assault. Several nights in a row I could hear them being repaired. … “Rovno” and “Lvov” tankists should start prepping for [corrective eye surgery].

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Briefing from the Militia, June 27, 2013, 03:30
Original: Strelkov Info

The military base in Donetsk was captured without losses on either side. All [those inside] were [regular] conscripts. We will be calling their mothers so they can take their sons home. All the officers have been placed under arrest.

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Briefing from Fyodor Berezin, June 27, 2014, 10:54
Original: Strelkov Info

Lifenews Interview with Fyodor Berezin

Fyodor Berezin’s Interview (ENG-subbed)

I accepted the capitulation of the Ukrainian military base.

For two days prior [to the capitulation], we cut off the base from water supplies. Last night, the People’s Militia assaulted this military base, which is situated on the territory of Donetsk. Specifically, the attack was conducted by the “Kalmius” detachment ([Kalmius] is a river that flows through both Donetsk and Mariupol).

As the end of the many hours of battle, we were victorious. Let’s say this – it was a definitive victory. Both sides used automatic weapons, light and heavy machine guns, under-slung grenades, and grenade launchers. On our side we also had armour, albeit a single vehicle.

The “Kalmius” assault group penetrated into the territory of the military base. They captured the command personnel. Having virtually exhausted their ammunition, the Ukrainian military base was forced to surrender to the mercy of the victors.

All three companies were disarmed. There were no 200^th [KIA – killed in action]. Only a small number of 300^th [WIA – wounded in action]. Trophies and the military banner of the base were captured. The personnel was taken prisoner and, by 03:00, was removed from the territory [of the base].

And, so to say, something to whet your appetite. And I was there, and drank honey and beer … [Note 1]. Simply put, bullets whistled past and squished nearby. Of all different calibres. A ton of impressions.

Note 1: Berezin is roughly quoting Alexander Pushkin’s poem “Tale of the Dead Princess and the Seven Knights.”

Videos of the Assault on the Ukrainian Military Base

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Report from Fyodor Berezin, June 27, 2014
Original: Slavyansk2014 & DPR Press Twitter (@dnrpress)

According to the Donetsk People’s Republic Deputy Minister of Defence, Fyodor Berezin, militiamen have disrupted the production of several parts for Ukrainian military helicopters.

“In the city of Snezhnoye we have blockaded the factory that manufactures helicopter blades/airfoils and supplies them to “Motor-Sich”. These are the very helicopters that are [used] to bomb us.

“Motor-Sich” is one of the largest enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex, and is the largest manufacturer of engines for airplanes and helicopters in the country.”

Note: the Motor Sich Public Joint Stock Company (Ukrainian: ВАТ «Мотор Січ») in Zaporizhia is among the largest engine manufacturers for airplanes and helicopters. See Wikipedia and Motor Sich Corporate Website.