Tank breakaway: how Russian fighters raided enemy rear areas
One of the main driving forces behind our offensive is tanks. The tankers of the Vostok group make combat trips around the clock. Both day and night, they help the attacking aircraft to penetrate the enemy's most defended positions. One of the tank crews told the Izvestia correspondent about a swift raid through the enemy's rear, the capture of an American-made APC and tank duels.
A daring raid
In the battles for the village of Shakhterskoye in the DNR, tankers of the Vostok group made a daring raid into the enemy's rear. They managed to go eight kilometers deep into the AFU defenses and land assault groups. About the details of the dashing attack tells the commander of such a platoon with the call sign Mexican - it was he and his men made a big commotion in the rear of the Ukrainian troops.
- The enemies did not expect that such audacity can be done, - he recalls. - We managed to go eight kilometers deep. When they came to their senses, everyone who could: Ukrainian artillery and FPV drones started hunting for us. Seeing that we could not be destroyed, they sent the drone "Baba-Yaga", although they hardly use it during the day. But we got out of there.
Despite the heavy opposition in that battle, the tankers were able to get our assault teams to the right spot.
The Mexican loves his vehicle and enjoys talking about it.
- This is our main tank - this is the T-72B3M, a modernized T-72," the commander pats the side of the iron beast.
Then he shows the combat vehicle's night sight.
- We can work at any time of day," he explains. - We don't care who we're up against. Whether it's an enemy armored group, manpower or strongholds. There's plenty of work to do. We often take assault teams directly to Ukrainian positions.
He believes in his car. The Mexican has tank duels with the enemy on his record. A year ago he personally had to face superior forces.
- Two Ukrainian tanks rolled up to our positions, I went out and destroyed them," says the Mexican.
The most important thing for tanks now is to support advancing motorized rifle units. Talking about such battles, the tankers say they are constantly being attacked by enemy FPV drones.
In one of the last battles, this was exactly the case. They moved to the front line, they were attacked by drones, but the tankers continued to help the infantry.
- We launched a heavy fire attack from the get-go, working from the coordinates we were given. In addition, to advance our attack aircraft through the minefield, we made a passageway, using an anti-mine trawl. We were assisted by the Orlan-30 drone, adjusting the fire on the targets," recalls the Mexican.
"Brazier" helps
The commander tells about the tactics the enemy is using against our tanks.
- For example, we install 'braziers' that help us a lot from FPV drones, ammunition drops from drones," he says. - We defend ourselves even against those that attack from the side or from above. But the AFU is still cunning. If their drones are jammed, they get higher and dive.
There are situations when tankers have to demonstrate the strength of their armor.
- Yeah, we got hit," says the Mexican. - RPGs, FPV drones, Baba Yaga. But, in my opinion, all these are some steps of desperation on their part. Sometimes, when we leave the battle, they start shooting back with Humvees. Well, imagine, to spend six expensive missiles on one tank, it's just so desperate. And we came back, yes, we looked, the "brazier" is loose - that's the whole effect of "Hymers".
Damaged tanks don't stand idle.
- Everything was repaired immediately, everything was done. Now everything is ready for departure, we are waiting for the team, - emphasized the Mexican.
A trophy APC
His subordinate, a mechanic-driver with the call sign Rezvyy told a story about how the tankers captured an enemy armored personnel carrier.
- During the counterattack, the AFU left an M113 APC behind," he recalled. - And we had to help our guys start it up. The repair team was working. The commander instructed us to go, help and, if possible, pick it up. We started shooting on the way there, as the Nazis were trying to get their car too. Eventually they ran away. We drove up to him at speed. Their artillery started working on us. There were birds, too, but luckily we have good E.E.B.s. We pulled up, we locked on. And that's it. Hit the gas. They brought him back to us.
The Mexican says that the enemy is noticeably weaker now, but this should not be misleading.
- The enemy, he is also not stupid, he is also learning, - says the Mexican. - Realities are changing rapidly. For example, the AFU use FPV drones that jump to several frequencies. In their turn, our engineers make REB systems that cover all their frequencies. We immediately look for countermeasures to their innovations. In general, we're constantly learning. It's vital here.
A gunner-operator with the call sign Keith notes that the enemy has been either surrendering or running away lately.
- Because they're weak. When they see us, they just run away, afraid," Keith said.
It's important to stay calm
While there is time, the Mexican tells about his original call sign.
- I came here, to the SWO zone, wearing glasses and a 32-tooth smile. The guys saw me and said, "Who's the Mexican coming?" That's how I became a Mexican," the commander recalled, clarifying that he had been in SWO from the beginning.
- I had already quit, retired. But since my guys are here, I told my wife that I would go and help the guys quickly. So here we are still, - says the commander.
Keith recalls the liberation of which settlements the tankers took part in.
- We went to Shakhtyorskoe, Yasnopolyannoe, came to Urozhaynoe. We took strongholds," he says, adding that we were involved in special operations from the very beginning.
- I am a contract serviceman. After graduating from high school, I went for compulsory service. Then I signed a contract. And so, it turns out, I am still serving, starting in 2014. During this time, there have been different situations. Sometimes it's hard, sometimes it's easy, but mostly time flies by quickly," Keith says mundanely.
According to him, his duties include inflicting fire damage on the enemy, which means fulfilling his primary combat mission.
- There are trips out of closed firing positions, and there are direct trips. The latter is hard to put into words. Everything happens instantly, very quickly. It seems like 15 minutes, but in reality it's two or three hours," the gunner shares his impressions.
- It's important to stay calm and understand your actions," Keith adds. - This is especially important when you hit a mine. In such cases, the gun's guidance system can fail. But it can be manually restored or the system can be restarted. It takes a little time, if you don't fuss or panic.
Rezvoy, as it turns out, has been on the SWO for two years.
- What helps here? Everyone has fear," he says. - It helps to be calm. The team is invigorating. Those you work with, those in your unit. And faith in the Almighty helps us.
The Mexican is sure that all the goals of the special operation will be achieved.
- Yeah, it won't be quick. Fascism has been cultivated for a long time, and to eradicate it, we need time, - says the Mexican.
The conversation comes to an end, and we say goodbye - it's time for the fighters to go to the tanks.
