And only a tank: how Novoselka was liberated in the DNR
Troops of the Vostok group have liberated the settlements of Novoselka and Novovocheretovatoje in the Donetsk people's republic. Thus, the units are moving towards the borders of Zaporizhzhya and Dnipropetrovsk regions. In the battles for Novoselka, servicemen of the 57th Brigade actively used armored vehicles, which is rare in today's assault actions. "Izvestia" learned from the direct participants of the battle, how the battles took place and what were the key factors of success.
The armored group came in
- During the advance of the assault groups there was an opportunity to enter a populated area. The battalion commander made a smart decision to command the armored group to enter. We consolidated, and there was an opportunity to pull up the reserves. As a result, we accomplished even more than planned," says Groot, battalion chief of staff of the 57th Brigade.
He said the experienced men of the assault teams were able to execute the plan with cohesion and competence. The crews of infantry fighting vehicles and tankers also performed well.
- The crews showed bravery. No one knew what would be in the residential area when they came in. At first, we moved through the forest belts, and everything was already 'rehearsed' there," he explained. Thanks to a quick entry into the buildings on the "armor," the enemy was able to get to the rear and build on the success. Grut explains that the assault was not only planned in advance, but was constantly accompanied by the headquarters from the air online.
In the UAV footage of the assault, you can see at a glance the active actions of the tank. The crew of the heavy vehicle not only led the armored group into the village, but during the landing of the troops actively maneuvered and destroyed enemy fire points in Novoselka, distracting the enemy.
- Driving out on the main road in front of the settlement, we worked on the enemy's fortified points to cover the passing paratroopers. When we reached the landing site, we decided with the crew to divert attention to ourselves. Having driven into another street, we worked on the building, turned around and, having joined the main column, drove off together," Kot, the tank's driver mechanic, briefly explains his actions.
The tank, firing direct fire at the buildings, diverted the fire of enemy mortars and kamikaze drones. And if the tanks are well protected from 120-mm mortar fire - a precise hit in the track or in the engine compartment from above is necessary to take the vehicle out of the battle - the electronic warfare means covered the vehicle well from FPV drones. Cat says he counted three drone hits on the tank, but apparently the operators could not hit the vulnerable spots in the jamming conditions. According to the driver mechanic, more drones did not hit the tank at all at that point.
- Driving in a combat situation is hard, but it can be adapted to. In addition, the route was well studied in advance. Very good crew cohesion. Everything was clear, everything was according to the plan, agreed in advance," says Kot. Together with this crew, he has been serving almost since the beginning of the special military operation, has passed through several sections of the front and participated in heavy fighting. The fighter is now 22 years old and has been in the army since he was 18. He came to serve under conscription, signed a contract after tank training, and in March 2022 voluntarily expressed his desire to participate in the Special Military Operation.
Under the cover of a BMP
During the landing, the paratroopers were covered with fire and BMPs, allowing the infantry to disperse into buildings. Given the large number of anti-tank weapons and drones in the enemy's inventory, it is the moment of haste that is often the most dangerous in such assaults.
- Three BMPs and a tank were coming in. Cluster munitions, drones and mortars were flying at us. Barrel artillery was active, but it was the effect of surprise," said Melnyk, a BMP gunner. During the paratroopers' landing, he used his automatic cannon to cover the attackers from close-in enemy fire points and cut off the flanking fire points as they moved in.
Melnyk is 38 years old, originally from the Krasnodar region, with three children at home and a supportive wife. At the time of mobilization, he was 35 - the age limit for enlisted personnel. He got his first combat experience in Georgia, and after that he worked as a construction worker.
- The task was to drive in, knock out the enemy and gain a foothold in the village, that's what we know how to do and we've done it many times. We drove in, got a foothold, cleared three houses at once, the guys worked harmoniously, understood each other half a word. We established communication and reported to our commanders, and the guys were all intact, we got in without any casualties," says Linh, a gunner in the assault team.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
