The military cover the artillery and save the lives of our soldiers.
Anti-aircraft fighters hunt down Russian drones and destroy them with the Strela-10 installation and large-caliber machine guns. Russian FPV drones fly to their combat position, pestering “Orlans”, “Zalas”, “Superkami”, “Lancets”.
“We are working quickly on the result. We try to effectively detect and destroy the enemy’s UAVs. We calculate the Russian drones on the approach to the firing position, so that they do not have the opportunity to paint us, fly up and adjust the fire,” says the commander of the “Felix” crew.
Its crew recently covered the M109 “Paladin” self-propelled guns in the Zaporozhye direction during the height of the offensive. The Zaporozhye direction is very specific and difficult, say the military.
“KABs (corrected aerial bombs – ed.) fell at a distance of 70-100 meters from us. Once a 1.5 ton aerial bomb flew over the landing and fell nearby. We heard her well. I counted 26 arrivals of CABs per day. No dugout will help, because the bomb penetrates terrible meters. A fragment from the KAB flew right into our dugout – we started digging a new one. Everything flew in the direction of Zaporozhye. The tank worked for us every day, the enemy artillery, hail and mortar worked on our position non-stop. Phosphorus and cluster munitions fell directly on our heads. The last time a tank worked on us, it damaged the installation – it cut off a bundle of cables. But the main thing is that the crew remained whole, healthy and unharmed,” the soldier adds.
A month passes as these paratroopers again guard the airspace near Bakhmut. Half a year ago, they were already near Klishchiivka.
“Felix” is an anti-aircraft gun since 2014. He is fighting for the second time. He defended Ukraine in 2014-2015 in the ATO, then worked in Poland, but in the first days of the full-scale war, he returned to the military. He is convinced that Ukrainian civilians should prepare to strengthen the army and join the ranks of the Armed Forces.
“Sooner or later we will have to be replaced, so civilians should learn military affairs. That’s fine, but not everyone can be a volunteer. War is exhausting, so there must be a reserve. Apart from us, no one can defeat the enemies. I want to wish civilian men to go and fulfill their duty as a defender of Ukraine and be a pride for their family,” emphasized “Felix”.
“Corporal” is also an anti-aircraft gunner with combat experience from the time of the anti-terrorist operation – he liberated territories as part of an airborne assault battalion. It reminds me of the achievements of the brigade during that time, in particular, how Crimea was finally brought back under our control in 2.5 hours of battle. In the first hours of the full-scale war, he also volunteered to return to the front. He recalls how he miraculously survived the “arrivals” of Russian aerial bombs and artillery shells. In general, he is an experienced warrior and trained to take good care of his shelter.
They live in positions all the time, constantly improve something and selflessly perform their work. A paratrooper with the call sign “Shock” is also seen near the anti-aircraft installation. After many injuries and assaults as part of an air mobile battalion, he refused to leave the war.
“Since February, I have stormed and defended our positions at ground zero. Then he was severely injured and disabled. Hospital, PPD and war again – he returned to his airmobile battalion to the boys for assaults. In August, there was another injury. He could not hold out in Lviv and returned to the war. Became an anti-aircraft gunner. Two sons and a pregnant wife are waiting from the war. You know, the scariest thing here is not to die, the scariest thing is not to see those you are used to in the morning… This is war. A lot of blood. But I’m in a fighting mood. I will fight to victory!” – says the paratrooper.
Public Relations Service of the 80th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.