Strict cohesion between infantry and intelligence has been established in this mechanized battalion. An experienced reconnaissance man, warrant officer Viotold P. is in command of the battalion’s reconnaissance platoon. He has been servicing in the army for ten years already. When he signed his first contract, he was a grenade launcher operator. Since his second contract he has been servicing as a reconnaissance man. At first, he held the position of section leader, and later the senior sergeant headed a reconnaissance platoon and has been commanding it the third year in a row.
The reconnaissance platoon entered Mariinka, as part of a battalion, two months ago. For Viotold it was his forth campaign since the beginning of anti-terrorist operation. Among his subordinates are young warriors who have recently joined the army, there are also veterans with whom he has fought shoulder to shoulder since 2014.
During these two months of almost ceaseless battles only one warrior from his platoon was wounded and another one sustained an injury. However, the reconnaissance men inflicted much more casualties on the enemy. They managed to annihilate two spotters, uncover and suppress two fire units, and destroy two infantry fighting vehicles. Recently, the enemy has lost an automatic grenade launcher and six warriors via the accuracy of our grenade launcher detachment.
– The enemy kept our observation post under fire for a long time, – the warrant officer says. – Then I decided to employ AGS-17 grenade launcher from the inventory of the first mechanized company. We were attacked in retaliation by AGS and SPG. For approximately 40 minutes we were fired at from these two grenade launchers. In the meantime, we located both firing positions and attacked them from our SPG. We succeeded in destroying the AGS with its detachment from the first hit. Then we shot several times at enemy trenches and SPG’s positions. And several minutes later, from radio interception we learned that we had annihilated six mercenaries along with AGS-17.
That time, the shot from SPG were fired by an experienced warrior, cavalier of the order “For Courage” 3rd degree Major Sergeant of the platoon Sergeant Vitalii Sh., while the platoon commander gave out the orders.
Several days passed by and on the eve of New Year festivities infantry men prevented the occupants from changing shifts at a platoon stronghold: namely, the first shift had already left the stronghold, but the next one did not have time to enter, because Ukrainians opened fire from small arms. This activity was enough to keep the enemy in hiding, unable to finish the change of shifts. In this hopeless situation the enemy attempted to strike the fire positions of Ukrainians; once every 30 minutes the occupants shot at platoon strongholds in Mariinka from infantry fighting vehicle, AGS-17, SPG-9 grenade launchers and 82-mm mortars. The fire came from the occupied city of Donetsk – from Petrovskyi district of the city. However, our warriors know all of the ropes! During four years of war they learned how to entrench properly and fight! The ninety minute long mortar and grenade launcher shootings did no harm to the Ukrainians. Only one blindage was slightly damaged. Meanwhile, the reconnaissance men of warrant officer Viotold P. located all the enemy fire positions and reported to the battalion’s headquarters.
At once, the platoon commander (whose positions came under the fire attack) received orders to destroy adversary equipment and manpower by giving them an adequate response from an infantry fighting vehicle. The crew of BMP-2 was ready. The driver soldier Valerii Sh. slipped into the hatch, commander of the fighting vehicle senior soldier Vladyslav S. and operator-gunner junior sergeant Artem L. took their places. “BMW” rapidly drove to its position and, almost immediately, engaged by fire from 2А42 30-mm gun. The guys hit the BMP-2 with the forth shell. An intense flash was seen even with the naked eye. A few minutes later they found out from radio interception that the enemy gun-layer was killed on the spot, and the fighting vehicle was destroyed.
– At the same time, the guys from the third platoon directed fire from SPG and AGS at the mortar and grenade launcher detachments of separatists, – section leader and commander of a fighting vehicle senior soldier Vladyslav S. speaks about the battle. – They also fired accurately, destroying both mortar and SPG. There were three or four wounded servicemen on their side.
As so, when intelligence provides timely and professional reporting on any changes in the combat situation, infantry men are able to demonstrate high level of skills and shoot accurately!
Oleksii TRYHUB