"Bread does not tolerate aggression, profanity or malice"
Bakeries hidden underground from enemy drones, round—the-clock work, delivery of fresh loaves to the front line by drones - this is the life of military bakers in their area. A lot depends on their work — delicious and fresh pastries will not only satisfy the hunger of the fighters, but also lift their spirits and help them survive difficulties. The Izvestia correspondent visited one of the field bakeries and learned how delicious bread is made and why it does not tolerate aggression, profanity or malice.
"It's delicious, just like Mom's"
We enter a wooded area located in one of the districts of the DPR — the road is spring and bumpy. We are stopped at a checkpoint, carefully checked, and only then allowed to continue driving — and here we are in the territory of the logistics company of one of the artillery brigades of the Yuzhnaya group of forces.
The head of the brigade's food service with the call sign Istok says that the bakery has been operating in the area for more than a year. The field bakery is equipped, like all other facilities, underground.
The deputy brigade commander in the rear with the call sign Resource says that the unit has to resist enemy drones.
"Of course, we are located in the rear area, but this is not an obstacle for modern weapons," he explains. — Sometimes the drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fly to us. We have a special security group that controls both the ground and air perimeter.
The fighters are armed with anti-drone and hunting rifles.
— In general, there is everything necessary to repel the attack of enemy "birds", — explains the Resource.
Finally, we descend into the dugout and find ourselves in a very spacious room. There are three stoves in it. A large container with flour. Other necessary equipment for production.
— Everything is done in accordance with special requirements, — says Istok. — We bake bread for our entire team. This is up to 250 kg of bread per day.
Four types of bread are baked here — white, rye, garlic and onion. Everything is done according to established recipes and technologies.
But the guys from the front line once asked to do something new, and the bakers could not refuse, says Istok. So at one time, different varieties appeared in the assortment.
Reviews about the quality of bread from the front line are only positive.
— The guys always thank and praise our bread, — smiles the Source.
Products are delivered to the front line on a daily basis. But this is not an easy delivery.
— We often bring him by car. When the situation requires it, we use both aerial and ground—based drones," explains Istok.
A military baker with the call sign Maestro says that the most delicious bread is only during combat operations.
"Every soldier will tell you that," he smiles. — We are happy to feed hundreds of children with fresh bread every day, and they talk about our loaves like this: "It's delicious, like mom's!". This is our highest praise.
"We never swear"
The underground bakery has three conveyor baking ovens, which are designed for baking bread and confectionery. They can be operated in stationary and field conditions, run on both solid (firewood, coal) and liquid fuels (diesel fuel, kerosene).
— The full load of one oven is 108 loaves of bread, — says the Resource.
Yelisey, a military baker, has been working here since November last year.
"I didn't ask to come here on purpose, and I didn't rush to, but apparently it's fate," he says. — In civilian life, I worked as a chef in a restaurant. Therefore, you can say that I'm here by profile.
The bread production cycle begins in the evening.
"First, we knead the dough, heat up the ovens," explains Elisha. — Then the equipment is set up. So, starting in the evening, we start working. And the bread itself is baked almost all night.
We need to do everything in such a way that our products go to the front line in the early morning, he explained.
Even if the finished bread remains in the bakery, it is not stored for a long time. After thinking about it, Elisha reveals the secret of taste.
"It's a special place here," he says. — We never fight here. Bread does not tolerate aggression, profanity or malice. Only then it turns out delicious.
His colleague from the workshop approaches us with the call sign Maestro. He talks in more detail about the technology of baking bread.
"First of all, the water is heating up," he says. — While the water is heating, 120 g of yeast, 170 g of salt and 250 g of sugar are poured into it. The baking temperature should be between 110 and 120 °C. While the furnaces are heating up, I start making the kneading.
According to him, the baking process is a job that requires serious effort and concentration.
— From the outside, it may seem that it looks quite simple. In fact, the process is not easy, requiring maximum concentration. There's no mistaking it. Otherwise, you will let down a large number of people," the Maestro emphasizes.
He served as a conscript in the Krasnodar Territory. Six months later, I decided to sign a contract. Later, he was sent for a special operation.
— While we are in military service, and then, when the enemy lays down his arms, I will think about what to do. Maybe I'll link my job to the bakery, but maybe not," he says.
There will be no rear, there will be no victory, says the Resource. He firmly believes that the work of bakers, as well as other military personnel, providing all the necessary advanced forces, is extremely important.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
