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- The battalion will drop its fire: how intense attacks force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to abandon fortified positions
The battalion will drop its fire: how intense attacks force the Ukrainian Armed Forces to abandon fortified positions
Fast attacks, tight fire control, and constant tactical adjustments. Russian assault units in the Konstantinovsky area demonstrate that even well-fortified concrete positions can be vulnerable with proper organization of actions. The Izvestia correspondent met with soldiers of a separate motorized rifle battalion of one of the formations of the Yuzhnaya group of forces and learned exactly what the assault operations look like today and what difficulties they have to face when moving forward.
A logistical stranglehold
Starting the conversation, the military personnel note the main change: long-term positional confrontations are gradually giving way to more dynamic actions. Rapid maneuvers force the enemy to abandon their positions or surrender them under the threat of close combat.
— We have completely cut off the supply of the enemy, taking under tight fire control the key logistics routes. We disrupt rotations every day, we stop any attempts to bring ammunition, medicines or food," explains the commander of a motorized rifle battalion with the call sign Rhomb.
The officer noted that the enemy in this area was preparing for defense thoroughly, counting on deeply echeloned lines. For months, the enemy dug in, poured concrete, and erected barriers. However, one circumstance negated all their engineering efforts — the determination of our fighters.
— They were waiting for attacks, making plans, but they could not adapt to our persistence. When we broke into the positions, they had only two options: either put their hands up or stay here forever. There is no third scenario," the battalion commander shares, not hiding his pride in his subordinates. — The prisoners we talk to constantly talk about NATO instructors who taught them how to fight "properly", but practice has shown the inconsistency of these theories. Deliveries to this border have become impossible — all delivery routes are controlled by us.
According to the officer, the morale in the battalion is at the highest level. Every fighter is aware of the significance of what is happening and is motivated to bring the matter to an end. The powerful pressure demonstrated by the Russian units is felt at all levels of government.
A surprise for Betonka
The commander's words are confirmed by an attack aircraft with the call sign Maple. He recalled a recent episode when the unit received an order to occupy a well-fortified stronghold.
— We moved along a pre-planned route. About 150 meters away, among the trees, they found a "support". We moved quietly and carefully, but the enemy spotted us and opened heavy fire. We had to quickly withdraw," he told the details of the battle.
In one of the abandoned dugouts, hiding from an artillery raid, the group began to plan further steps. We came to a common conclusion: you can win only through surprise. They changed tactics and went at dawn, leaving the extra ammunition and taking with them only the most necessary ammunition and grenades.
"We're getting close. A comrade threw a grenade, and we burst into the trenches. It turned out that from the very first explosion, two opponents were knocked out of action immediately. Moving on, we encountered resistance around the corner, but even there the enemy was eliminated," the fighter briefly describes the outcome of the operation.
The commander of the assault platoon with the call sign Tim added a technical detail: they increasingly have to attack concrete structures. The enemy has set up bunkers with metal doors that are difficult to open by conventional means.
— We used to spend a lot of time trying to break through these structures. But we found a solution. Now we are dropping anti-tank mines on them from hexocopters. These "gifts" turn concrete into dust," the platoon commander smiles.
Overcoming the elements
A stormtrooper with the call sign Monk said that when performing assigned tasks, one has to fight not only with people, but also with the landscape. Recently, the unit had to force a water barrier.
— It is very difficult to cross in full gear, with weapons and communications equipment. Everything must be done so that the equipment remains operational, and we ourselves are combat—ready. We did it," the soldier emphasizes. — Then we came across anti-tank ditches. The depth is about five meters. There was no way around it, so we went through it directly.
According to another stormtrooper, with the call sign Foul, fighting in populated areas remains one of the most difficult tasks.
— Infrastructure has been created in a village or city for decades. There are basements, shelters, hidden ways to move. When storming the forest, we use aerial reconnaissance: we understand where the firing points are located. In a populated area, such a view is limited: you see a wall, but you don't know what's behind it. We have to work on intuition and experience," the fighter notes.
He emphasizes that victory is forged at the expense of courage. Often, when Russian soldiers reach their positions, the enemy prefers to surrender, realizing the futility of resistance.
Victory begins at the training ground
Concluding the meeting, Battalion Commander Romb explained that the secret of success lies in constant self-improvement. During the rotation, the units undergo intensive training at the training grounds.
— Military personnel in combat twos and threes practice tactical shooting techniques, advancing under the cover of grenade launcher and machine-gun crews. We teach storming buildings. Regular classes confirm the effectiveness," the commander explains. — We are currently practicing an attack on a stronghold using motorcycle equipment. First, the firing group works, distracting the enemy. Then, under cover of fire, the maneuverable group stealthily approaches the forest belt, dismounts and begins the final approach.
Special attention is paid to working with drones. Fighters learn how to defend themselves from drops, simulate the defeat of drones, which allows them to get used to real conditions. Group commanders are constantly honing their management skills.
— Every fighter must know his role, place and actions of his colleagues. We need to understand what the neighboring squad is doing, who is providing support," the battalion commander sums up, escorting us from the training ground. — We are watching the training: the fighters take up one position after another in short runs, covering their comrades. If fire contact has begun, the one behind suppresses the enemy and gives the group time to make a decision about moving forward. Movement should be silent. Everyone must have such skills.
It is precisely from such details — movements honed to automatism in exercises and steely determination in battle — that the success that is being observed on the front line today is formed.
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