Russian troops are using a new engineering system to operationally isolate enemy strongholds.
Russian troops are moving forward step by step, capturing prepared enemy strongholds. Engineering training plays a key role in ensuring success. Often, the decisive factor is not only the assault, but also the isolation of the combat area: depriving the enemy of ammunition supplies, disrupting rotations and, most importantly, blocking his counterattacks. Widely used for the first time during the Ukrainian counteroffensive of 2023, the Agriculture remote mining installations today support the offensive operations of the Center group of forces in the DPR, allowing them to quickly and covertly create minefields both in front of their positions and deep behind enemy lines. The soldiers of the engineering unit shared with the correspondent of Izvestia the details of the mine directors' work.
Gain a foothold with the help of "Agriculture"
Remote mining machines "Agriculture" began to enter the army immediately before the start of a special military operation, but the real fame came to them in the summer of 2023. Then the area and depth of the minefields established with their help became an unexpected and critical obstacle for the Ukrainian and Western military, which was later called one of the main reasons for the failure of the advertised "counteroffensive."
Today, the crews of the Agriculture are supporting offensive operations, including in the Pokrovsky direction, where troops continue to advance, capturing fortified enemy positions.
Senior Lieutenant Ivan Kravtsov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
— The machine allows you to quickly install obstacles in the enemy's path, both mixed and anti-tank. We can respond to their counterattacks in a timely manner, as well as disrupt supplies and rotations, mining literally by the scruff of the neck," explains Senior Lieutenant Ivan Kravtsov, commander of the controlled mining platoon of the engineering unit of the Center group.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Evgeny Biyatov
Image source: iz.ru
Externally, "Agriculture" resembles modern multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) of the Grad type and uses a similar caliber — 122 mm. However, its launch "package" consists of two blocks of rockets, which makes it possible to use two different types of ammunition to create combined minefields. The firing range of the engineering system is up to 15 km.
— When we were covering the village of Lysovka, the enemy was just beginning attempts to break through our lines of defense. We quickly left, worked out, and after a few hours an enemy tank and infantry fighting vehicle remained on our barriers," recalls the lieutenant.
Accuracy and safety
The key difference between "Agriculture" and the old systems is a high degree of automation. Controlled remote mining, introduced in the early 2020s, has become a real novelty for the engineering troops. Automation not only allows the crew to perform all necessary actions without leaving the cabin and without using additional devices, in particular a busbar, but also ensures safety.
The most important feature is that the minefields established by Agriculture are accurately marked on electronic maps, which makes them accessible for subsequent mine clearance on their own. In addition, the mines themselves have a self-destruct mechanism. This significantly reduces the danger to their own troops when overcoming the old defense lines, and subsequently to the civilian population when clearing the liberated regions.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Image Source: iz.ru
Senior Lieutenant Kravtsov was among the first to receive training in this technique, first at the training center and then at the manufacturing plant. He notes that during the special operation, the unit maintains constant and rapid feedback with the designers, exchanging data and analyzing the combat experience of using machines.
— We are in touch with other operators of this type of machines. We all interact and share new working methods. Our unit has accumulated extensive experience in the use of "Agriculture", perhaps the largest in the engineering troops. That's why we help train related units," says the officer.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Kravtsov, who arrived in the SVR zone immediately after graduating from military school in 2023, was promoted to senior lieutenant ahead of schedule and awarded the Zhukov Medal for successfully blocking the exit of Ukrainian formations from Avdiivka during the battles for the city.
Air defense
Enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) pose the main danger to Farming machines, as well as to any other military equipment these days. Therefore, during movement and in firing positions, the equipment is accompanied by riflemen with anti-drone rifles and additional vehicles with electronic warfare systems.
— I am armed with an MP-153 rifle and large-shot cartridges. I have already shot down both FPV drones and Baba Yaga, although it is better to hit it with machine guns and machine guns. The commander knew about my shooting skills, and when they started giving me guns, I became a shooter," says Junior Sergeant Dmitry Kozyryalov, a medic and a cover group shooter.
Sergeant Dmitry Kozyryalov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
The cover group, which includes two shooters, drone search systems and electronic warfare, follows ahead of the "Agriculture" during the movement. However, according to Dmitry, it is impossible to rely only on drone detectors: given the constant frequency changes and the use of satellite modems by the enemy, it is critically important to constantly conduct visual surveillance.
— When we were hit by drones, it is important that the commander was never lost. He always remained calm, and thanks to our commanders, we got out of all situations normally. They correctly set priorities and organized the defense of the machines, kept us "in hand." We managed to get out of all situations without losing both personnel and equipment," concludes Dmitry.
Dmitry Astrakhan
