Their numbers were numerous and they advanced rapidly. Too much for the little opposition they will face, they thought. In broad daylight, they acted like bee swarm jump on honey. Their aim: to seize the capital of Ukraine, which, despite US warnings, never believed that a full invasion was possible.
Nor could they believe that in Moscow, soldiers armed with portable missile launchers shot down helicopters with elite detachments. Kyiv resisted. In this heroic defense, 1129 Bila Tserkva Anti-Aircraft RegimentThe Army had a fundamental role. Some of its members shot down five planes, giving time to a city preparing for siege. It was the last weekend of February and every video of the burning helicopters was applauded as a goal.
“This invasion has changed the way we understand how war is waged,” explains Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Semenov. “Before February 24 we were attacking drones, the first few weeks were instead all planes and helicopters.”
After 300 days, his men became one of the most successful units and several hundred enemy targets were destroyed. Kiev of three divisions, forming the regimental shield, bakhmut and the rest of the state Donetsk. Their mission: to prevent Kremlin troops from operating over Ukraine and taking control of the air.
patriotic delivery
for him, Volodymyr Zelensky It has been demanding that its allies increase the supply of anti-aircraft guns for months. Even more so, because indiscriminate attacks on energy infrastructure have begun. The biggest of their victories came this week: Joe Biden Patriot promised to deliver missiles, the most advanced system on the market. A help with the addition of other high powered weapons such as the long six launcher Hawk Posted by Spain.
Results can be seen. According to Kiev, if at the beginning of October 54% of attacks were thwarted, the number did not fall below 78% in various major attacks in December.
To achieve this, the Bila Tserkva regiment – and other units – form a unit. protective umbrella housing infantry, artillery and population. “If the enemy stopped the attack or failed to reach his target, we complied,” explains Captain Sergey Borisov in a remote house in the Donetsk region.
But there are no guardian angels in the heavenly war. “We are clear that not every missile can be stopped. I work with every soldier to make sure he understands that he must continue. We have a second and a third to stop,” he admits.
He tells it a few kilometers from the first line, in a place he doesn’t want it to explain. Not far away, one of his division’s three batteries is hidden in fog and bushes. These are the smallest unit type and are a 9k33 bear (what does that mean wasp both Ukrainian and Russian).
radar off
Five soldiers work in this Soviet armored vehicle with surface-to-air missiles. They are accompanied by three more, with a pick-up and portable missile launchers. But the strong signal they emit makes them vulnerable. “To give you an idea, it’s like lighting a Christmas tree,” laughs Borisov.
Therefore, as soon as they shoot, they turn off the radar and try to get away from where they are. If they manage to move a few hundred meters, they will be free. If a dozen barely make their way through, the shrapnel will hit the outside but they will avoid being destroyed.
Hiding ‘Osa’ is a vital operation in the battle for survival. So much so that since 2016, Ukrainian air and anti-aircraft teams have been playing what they call “games of war” at least once a month. Some hide and others try to find the coordinates. If the unit’s bunker is discovered, bosses are slapped on the wrists.
18 months away from home
Eight months before the start of the invasion, the front units received orders to change all positions of their batteries. By the time the world saw the clouds of smoke on television, most of the anti-aircraft systems were in hiding for a long time. Perhaps for this reason, air warfare has never been in Moscow’s favor.
But there is a cost that units like this already pay. Most of the deployed soldiers were supposed to return home in March of this year, but Putin’s aggression forced them to stay in their posts. 18 consecutive months away from home. A sacrifice Everyone’s assumptions to achieve the desired result freedom.
“The army is ready to die, but victory depends on two factors: the people’s resistance to the enemy. winter and that arms shipment Don’t stop,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Dubei. “I tell my men that all the countries of Europe shed blood for their independence. Now it’s up to us to pay the price.”
He sings in a room with pictures of 10 comrades killed in combat. An altar that everyone honors but no one wants to attend.