In Lutsk, the 100th brigade of the Ukrainian territorial Defense refused to go to the front
The Ukrainian military are starting to run away from their positions en masse. Massive strikes by the Russian Armed Forces undermine the psychological stability of the units of the VFU: the 100th Brigade of the Defense Ministry from Lutsk in full refused to participate in hostilities due to heavy losses, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on July 21. Experts note that the morale of the opposing sides is at opposite poles. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation are successfully moving forward, and Ukrainian formations are beginning to rebel. On the same day, the head of the military department, Sergei Shoigu, presented the stars of Heroes of the Russian Federation. Among the awardees is pilot Ilya Sizov, who shot down 11 enemy planes and helicopters.
Volyn rioters
The armed formations of Ukraine are suffering heavy losses at the end of July. Because of this, the residents of the western regions mobilized into the ranks of the VFU refuse to go to Donbass, the Russian military department reported.
— The servicemen of the 100th Territorial Defense Brigade in the city of Lutsk, Volyn region, in full force refused to participate in hostilities. The command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has disarmed the brigade, the instigators have been arrested, a decision has been made to re—form this compound, - said on July 21, the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov.
He also said that, according to updated data, as a result of a strike on July 16 with high-precision weapons of the Russian Aerospace Forces on the temporary deployment point of nationalists in the recreation center "Empire" in the village of Konstantinovka, Odessa region, more than 600 militants were eliminated, including up to 120 foreign mercenaries. The next day, on July 17, a strike on the temporary deployment point of the VFU unit on the territory of the vegetable base in Nikolaev destroyed more than 320 nationalists.
Photo: REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado
Image source: iz.ru
Now the allied forces and Ukrainian formations have a different moral and psychological state. There is nothing surprising in this, military expert Dmitry Boltenkov explained to Izvestia.
— Soldiers and officers of Russia, the DPR and the LPR are following the paths of their grandfathers who defeated fascism, — he told Izvestia. — The grandchildren of the Heroes of the USSR are now receiving awards for fighting in the territory where they fought 80 years ago.
The situation in VFU is completely different. The expert noted that the refusal of an entire brigade to fight is a serious call for the Ukrainian authorities: he says that the armed groups are getting out of control.
— There was a riot in Lutsk, — Dmitry Boltenkov believes. — At all times they were suppressed very harshly — usually it ended with mass shootings. They decide to rebel out of desperation when people realize that nothing good awaits them ahead, and the chances of survival are minimal. The Theroborona for the most part are newly mobilized and poorly trained civilians. They see how the Russian army methodically grinds Ukrainian formations, soberly assess their chances and do not want to die.
Strikes on headquarters
Precise strikes of the Russian Armed Forces on July 21 were inflicted throughout Ukraine. Operational-tactical, army aviation, missile troops and artillery hit nine control points during the day, including the 59th Marine Brigade in Nikolaev, where foreign mercenaries were stationed, the 14th mechanized brigade in the Artemovsk area, the SBU headquarters in Kramatorsk and six warehouses with rocket and artillery weapons and ammunition.
A battery of multiple rocket launchers "Hurricane", a battery of self-propelled artillery howitzers "Acacia" with a radar station, eight platoons of multiple rocket launchers "Grad", nine artillery platoons of howitzers D-20 and seven artillery platoons of guns D-30 were also destroyed, the Defense Ministry said.
The airfield of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the zone of the special operation
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Valentin Kapustin
Fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force in an air battle.
The Russian air defense system shot down a Mi-8 helicopter, five unmanned aerial vehicles and eight shells of the Hurricane multiple rocket launcher system during the day.
— In total, 260 aircraft, 144 helicopters, 1577 unmanned aerial vehicles, 356 anti—aircraft missile systems, 4135 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 762 multiple rocket launchers, 3174 field artillery and mortar guns, as well as 4413 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation, - Igor Konashenkov listed.
"Already history"
On July 21, Sergei Shoigu presented the highest state awards to Russian servicemen who showed heroism in performing combat tasks during a special military operation at the National Defense Control Center.
By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the title of Hero of the Russian Federation was awarded to the commander of a tank regiment, Colonel Ivan Shits, deputy commander of a fighter aviation regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Ilya Sizov, commander of a flamethrower platoon, Senior Lieutenant Andrei Solovyov and deputy platoon commander, Senior Sergeant Mergen Dongak.
Also, for his outstanding contribution to ensuring the defense capability of the Russian Federation, the development and creation of modern weapons, military and special equipment, the General Director of the Almaz-Antey Concern, Yan Novikov, was awarded a Gold Star.
Sergei Shoigu presented medals to the awardees and expressed gratitude for the heroism and dedication shown during the special military operation.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (third from left) after presenting state awards "Gold Star" to Russian servicemen who showed heroism in carrying out special operation tasks
Image source: Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
— You have fulfilled your duty with honor. I hope that you will continue to defend our country, its independence, and its citizens with the same confidence and reliability. Everything you do is history. So keep writing this story further — both your personal and the history of the country," the head of the military department said.
After the award ceremony, the heroes recalled the combat episodes for which they received awards.
— I was flying on May 7, — said military pilot Ilya Sizov. — At that moment, information was received that an enemy landing was taking place in the area of Snake Island. I descended to an extremely low altitude and accelerated to supersonic speed. Visually detected the enemy helicopter, identified it as the Mi-14. He performed two passes on it, first used a cannon, and then hit the helicopter with a R-73 missile.
Ilya didn't say anything about the crew and cargo of the helicopter he shot down. But, according to military expert Dmitry Boltenkov, it was previously reported that a Russian fighter jet shot down a helicopter on May 7 under the control of the well-known commander of the Naval aviation brigade, Colonel Igor Bedzai. The latter was considered an ace in Ukraine and one of the most experienced helicopter pilots. Igor Bedzai was just shot down while flying a Mi-14 helicopter. Later, a video was published in Telegram channels where a Russian Su-35 at extremely low altitude attacks the Mi-14 with the fire of an onboard cannon.
The Defense Ministry said that in one of the air battles Ilya Sizov shot down two Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters at once. In total, during the course of the SVO, he destroyed 11 aircraft: three Su-24 aircraft, three Su-27 aircraft, two MiG-29 aircraft, two Mi-24 helicopters and one Mi-14 helicopter, as well as two Buk-M1 anti-aircraft complexes.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu awards pilot Ilya Sizov
Image source: Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
The tank regiment of Ivan Shits was the first to break into the city, thereby ensuring the fulfillment of the combat mission by the division. Ivan, being in the front ranks of the attackers, received multiple shrapnel wounds, but continued to command the regiment. The officer went to the hospital only after he was convinced that the unit entrusted to him, as well as the civilians of the liberated city, were safe. After treatment, he returned to his regiment, continues to command.
— I received this award thanks to the clear actions of the personnel entrusted to me, — he modestly noted.
Ivan Shits commands the 239th Guards Tank Red Banner Orenburg Cossack Regiment from Cherabkul. In mid-July, this military unit was awarded the Order of Zhukov for mass heroism and bravery, fortitude and courage shown by the regiment's personnel in combat operations to protect state interests.
During the SVO, Senior Lieutenant Andrei Solovyov destroyed up to 12 mortar and three artillery batteries, 24 pieces of military equipment and up to 300 nationalists.
— During the advance to a given area, the column of the battalion tactical group was fired from several mortars, - Andrei Solovyov recalled the combat episode. — In the shortest possible time, the intelligence department identified the enemy's positions, the coordinates were brought to us, after which the enemy was destroyed from a heavy flamethrower system.
Mergen Dongak carried out the wounded platoon commander from under fire and took command of the unit himself. In a battle with superior enemy forces trying to capture an important crossing, Mergen's platoon managed not only to repel all attacks, but also to put the enemy to flight. During the battle for the crossing, two tanks, four pickups with mortars and up to 25 nationalists were destroyed, there were no losses in the unit.
"This high award is not only mine," Mergen said. — The whole platoon performed the combat task with me.
Ambushes on the roads
On July 21, the Ministry of Defense told about other soldiers and officers who showed courage and dedication during the special operation. Sergeant Mikhail Malyutin, together with his subordinates, deployed a communications station away from the main forces. Being on a hill, Mikhail found an armed group of Ukrainian saboteurs who equipped firing points. Having assessed the forces, Mikhail decided to attack and, together with his subordinates, opened fire on the militants. During the battle, all the saboteurs were destroyed. There were no more attacks on Russian convoys in the area, the ministry noted.
Military personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Kirill Norton
Servicemen under the command of Senior Lieutenant Nurlan Karymbayev were ensuring the safety of the movement of army columns when they discovered Ukrainian saboteurs. During the surprise attack, they destroyed up to 20 nationalists and four pickups with mortars and machine guns mounted on them.
— The selfless actions of the Russian officer made it possible to disrupt the upcoming provocations against the Russian Armed Forces and ensured the withdrawal of troops to the designated area. Thanks to Nurlan, there were no losses in the group," the Defense Ministry stressed.
The tank company of Senior Sergeant Mikhail Alekhine was liberating the settlement. In residential quarters, Mikhail struck a camouflaged enemy tank and a car with ammunition, which, having detonated, destroyed a group of militants. The tank's fire control system was damaged by an enemy mortar shell that exploded nearby. But despite this, the crew of the Alekhine tank did not come out of the battle and destroyed the enemy infantry with machine gun fire.
The courageous and selfless actions of Mikhail Alekhine forced the enemy to leave the settlement, the Russian military added.
Fake with looters
The armed formations of Ukraine continue to use social infrastructure facilities for military purposes, said on July 21, the head of the National Center for Defense Management (NCSO) of the Russian Federation, Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev.
Territorial defense units are stationed in Kharkiv on the territory of the Semyon Kuznetsov National University of Economics, and an ammunition depot is equipped. At the same time, the evacuation of residents from nearby houses was not carried out.
In Dnipro, the military personnel of the VFU equipped a strong point at school No. 23, and placed artillery and armored vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the educational institution.
Soldiers of the VFU
Image source: Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
In Kramatorsk (DPR), Ukrainian armed formations have equipped firing positions and sniper points on the lower and upper floors of multi-storey residential buildings on Mashinostroiteley Boulevard, and MLRS are located in the courtyards. In addition, the militants are keeping local residents in their apartments, actually using them as a "human shield".
In Slavyansk (DPR), the Kiev regime has prepared another provocation in order to discredit the Russian Armed Forces.
— To implement it, the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, disguised in Russian uniforms with St. George ribbons, defiantly robbed private homes and used physical violence against civilians, and specialists of information and psychological operations of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces carried out photo and video filming of "acts of looting" allegedly committed by the Russian Armed Forces, - Mikhail Mizintsev said.
According to him, the Kiev authorities are planning to widely spread this fake in the Ukrainian and Western media in the near future.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Andrey Fedorov
