Even delivering a bottle of water to the front line can turn into a real logistical special operation.
Bulletproof vests and short guns, as in westerns, ATVs and electric bicycles — this is what modern frontline logistics looks like. Traditional approaches, heavy trucks, and norms for removing warehouses from the front line have proven to be completely outdated over the years. Delivering even one bottle of water to the front of the infantry is a whole special operation. "Izvestia" went through this route with the supply group and saw how the supply of units in the Dobropolsky direction was carried out.
Weather conditions
For more than a month, conversations with military personnel in the Dobropolsky area include the obligatory mention that "the weather will finally improve" soon. The steppe summer sky plays very strongly into the hands of unmanned aircraft. Anyone who has to travel under threat from the air on the roads of the kill zone is waiting for fogs and autumn rains. ""The soldiers of the supply group of the 60th separate motorized rifle battalion, which went down in history as the "Somalia" assault battalion, of the 9th Guards Brigade of the 51st Army of the Center group of forces, are no exception.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The first signs of autumn weather lead to the activation of suppliers on the roads.
We meet with the pick-up group in the dark and, after saying hello, go ahead. The day is divided into periods of varying danger from UAVs, and any departure is a race against time. It is necessary to use safe minutes.
Walk through the fog
In the foggy twilight, farther from the front, it's not that everyone feels relaxed, but there's no tension. Drivers stop at the side of the road to take a break after the night roads before rushing forward. Cigarette lights are visible, some risk turning on the low beam.
The vehicles of different units are gradually huddled together in small columns, bristling in all directions with the barrels of rifles and machine guns from the bodies and cabins.
Everyone understands that you can't pile up, but the desire not to be alone and to see your family around is often stronger. Given that most of the cargo is fuel and explosives, the solution is, on the one hand, extremely questionable, but on the other hand, the more eyes and barrels there are in a single drone raid, the better.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
At the first large aerial surveillance point, traffic gradually slows down and stops. Between the camouflage nets and concrete slabs, the fighters break the distance and do not allow it to accumulate while they wait for confirmation from the next post that the sky is clear.
Shouts can be heard from different sides that it's time to turn off all the headlights, indicating distances and talking about the situation.
""One of the observers, having argued with someone about the threat from the air, brings the crowd into working order with a loud phrase: "They can't spare a package for such an accumulation."
Many have become so accustomed to precision drone strikes that they forget about the capabilities of multiple launch rocket systems to simply and effectively cover large areas with their "package".
The White flag
A white flag is raised above the post, and a dozen cars rush forward. This is how the first stage of "small logistics" begins — the path to distributors.
There, the cargo will be transferred to the fighters on ATVs, who will take it to the bases of their units. Motorcycles, bicycles and "walking tours" will start from there. But they won't carry it to the positions either.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
At the very end of the journey, the goods already repacked in small batches will fly to the soldiers on the front line on a UAV.
Front-end drives
Cars "dissolve" at intersections: each goes to its own point, to its own storage device. We also jump into the shelter of the 9th brigade. Unloading begins immediately. All cargo must be ready for the arrival of the ATV riders. At the same time, there should be no confusion: all neat packages, cases with drones and other things and equipment should get to the recipients, according to the small tags on each package.
— It's scary to drive with such a load in the back, but what to do, the boys need help, — says the driver Phil during unloading.
He says he's been overloaded with little things today. But more often it is necessary to carry dangerous goods — gasoline for generators that provide heat on the front, gas in cylinders.
— And so we travel every day, — he says.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Finally, the cargo is neatly laid out in the quick loading area, covered with tarpaulins and nets. While everyone is waiting for the next stage, shooter Matsik talks about the intricacies of his work to protect the car.
While driving, he could be seen periodically, sensing something suspicious in the air, leaning almost completely out of the cabin to inspect the sky.
He wasn't in this crew for long, but he had a lot of combat experience, was wounded, and shot down five drones.
By stages
ATVs with trailers are approaching the point — this is the next stage of transportation. There are two people in each car: the driver and the shooter.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
A driver with the call sign Kaban says that, if necessary, he can squeeze more than a hundred out of his quadric, but if there is no threat, then it is better to drive carefully, look around more carefully.
"When we take the wounded man out, I put him in the back with me, and the shooter moves into the trailer," he says.
This is what a Boar does if the wounded person is light or medium and can hold on. When lying down, they only put him in the "cart", for convenience they put masks and ponchos on him.
Shrek goes ahead with the Boar and his shooter. His specialization is the next stage of transportation: he delivers goods on electric bicycles to places where gasoline equipment cannot be used.
"My ears are like locators: the main thing is to listen," says Shrek. — The boys ask, "Why aren't you looking anywhere?" Why should I look if I can hear well?
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Two ATVs will go ahead — a Boar and its arrow. Shrek sits down next to the second one.
The shooter rides with a short double-barreled shotgun, which is associated with westerns. He says that in this weather, this melee weapon is suitable for defense. He is willingly photographed in modern tactical gear, riding an ATV and carrying a shotgun.
Finally, the Boar gets up on his quadric, crosses himself and hits the gas. The shooter and Shrek will start after him.
There is silence on the drive. Everyone silently wishes the guys good luck. Then Phil says it's time for us to get back before the morning fog, which we've been waiting for, finally dissipates.
Dmitry Astrakhan
