Motorcycle groups are used for supply, evacuation and rapid approaches to positions.
Our troops continue to cut off the Ukrainian logistics of the village of Novopavlovka in the Dnipropetrovsk region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to create powerful fortifications in this sector, which complicates offensive operations. Special training and careful planning of operations are needed to break through such defenses. Why new dragoons are needed on the front line, why mortars cannot be dispensed with during the assault, and how drones lead our fighters to attack — in the Izvestia article.
"The fights weren't easy"
Grenade explosions, machine—gun bursts and the roar of engines - in such an atmosphere, the assault squad of the 239th Guards Tank Regiment of the 90th Guards Tank Division of the Center Group of Forces is being trained.
The training of the fighters is supervised by the deputy commander of the assault squad for military and political work, Mevlud Dzhamarashvili. During the fighting in the Novopavlovka area, he temporarily served as commander.
— The fights weren't easy, but the guys understood everything. There were no people who were going backwards, everyone was moving forward with dignity. Everyone knew their task and tried to fulfill it to the end," he recalls the last battles for the settlement.
Commander of the assault squad for military and political work Mevlud Dzhamarashvili
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
According to him, during the assault, the soldiers constantly felt the support of the command and had no problems with supplies.
"I know from my own experience what it's like to sit on tea with biscuits and not see proper food for weeks,— says Mevlud.
Now stormtroopers are increasingly working in small groups, being at a considerable distance from each other and from the main forces. In such conditions, supply becomes one of the most difficult tasks.
Mevlud knows from his own experience how battles and small groups work. And he has more than enough of it. He has been serving in the army since 2014. After graduating as a sniper, he met with the commander of the corresponding platoon. He performed tasks as a sniper in the Kremennaya area. After that, he agreed to transfer to the assault squad, where he became a company commander, and then deputy commander.
Drone training
Mevlud has airsoft grenades and a noise pistol on his bulletproof vest. Active training of personnel is underway before performing future tasks, which, according to the commander's apt remark, most likely "will not become easier than the past ones."
The conversation is interrupted by the roar of engines — a squad of motorcyclists appears. There is a special track for training motorcycle, ATV and buggy drivers. There are areas on it that simulate off-road terrain, elevation changes and slopes of terricons.
This is how modern "dragoons" train — fighters who must overcome dangerous areas as quickly as possible, instantly dismount and engage in battle.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Most of the military personnel, alternating with each other, are engaged in the field of psychological training.
"Here, the fighter himself understands how ready he is to perform a combat mission,— explains Mevlud. — And the commanders see weaknesses, help, suggest what else needs to be worked on, both physically and mentally.
On the strip, the battalion commander or deputy political officer sets introductory tasks, indicates the conditional wounded, and sends evacuation groups.
In addition to the standard obstacles, there are communication passages, buildings and fortifications. The strip is being improved as new threats arise: a "tangle" wire is added for training or conditional supports are being rebuilt.
There are dummy bodies along the route, and kamikaze training drones are working over the heads of the fighters, from which they need to hide or defend themselves. The sounds of gunfire and explosions are broadcast from the speakers, and imitation charges are triggered next to the fleeing infantrymen.
According to instructors, beginners in such a lane may experience disorientation, panic attacks, and even vomiting. But it is precisely this kind of training that allows you to develop automatism of actions in conditions of extreme stress.
Mortars on the front line
The actions of the assault groups are supported by fire, including mortar fire. Due to the increasing density and increasing distance of the number of FPV drones, the tactical possibilities of using these weapons are narrowing. But they are still necessary for direct infantry support in short-term combat.
However, calculations are becoming increasingly difficult to work with.
Guidance and Target Designation Officer, Lieutenant Evgeny Pankov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Lieutenant Yevgeny Pankov, a guidance and target designation officer, recalls how during the battles for Novopavlovka, the mortar men were hit by enemy FPV drones.
"The platoon commander was wounded by shrapnel," he says. — Then I decided to move to firing positions and organize the work of the crew.
First of all, the officer organized the evacuation of the wounded man.
"He's fine now,— says Evgeny.
After that, the soldiers deployed the mortar again and continued to support the assault units.
On the line of contact, mortar crews are constantly under threat of drone attacks. Therefore, they try to equip positions as far away from the enemy as possible. But in the battles for Novopavlovka, the calculations had to work at medium distances.
"In such conditions, both the mortar itself and the ammunition for the mortar can only be delivered on foot, and if conditions allow, then on motorcycles," says the officer.
Positions were also often changed on foot. Stormtroopers provided cover. After the position change, the calculations immediately returned to work.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Then we worked with the squad leader: he gave us the goals, and he adjusted them, — explains Evgeny. — Enemy drone crews and their shelters were destroyed, as well as enemy assault groups that were sitting in the forest belts.
According to him, it was necessary to defend against enemy UAVs on a daily basis. To do this, permanent cover with small arms of all kinds was formed from calculations free from combat work.
How drones help the assault
During the fighting near Novopavlovka, Russian drone operators were also active, including the calculations of the FPV drones of the assault squad.
Senior drone strike operator Sergey Merseitov recalls that drones were used not only for strikes.
"We delivered water, worked on the enemy day and night, and helped the assault groups navigate," he says.
Senior Drone Strike Operator Sergey Merseitov
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
According to Sergey, during the battle, fighters sometimes lose their bearings and cannot quickly check the map.
—Then the Mavik operators fly up to the group and literally lead people to the right point by radio," he explains.
Drone operators are also helping to shield stormtroopers from heavy Ukrainian Baba Yaga-type drones.
— We're flying up, we're trying to shoot it down, — says Sergey.
In one of the battles, he recalls, he first had to repel an attack by a large group of Ukrainian infantry, and then destroy an enemy motorcycle group trying to break through to the positions.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image Source: iz.ru
Sergey began his military career in 2024 as part of a reconnaissance group. After being wounded, he mastered the specialty of a UAV operator and now trains attack aircraft to counter drones. During classes, he simulates drone attacks, and then analyzes training videos with the fighters, explaining mistakes in disguise and actions when threatened by an air strike.
The roar of engines is heard over the training ground again. The assault groups leave for a new round of the obstacle course — already under the crackle of machine gun fire and the buzz of training drones. In a few days, many of them will have to hear these sounds already on the front line.
Dmitry Astrakhan
