The Allied forces prepared for defense, which allowed them to give a worthy rebuff to the enemyThe Russian armed forces and units of the People's Republics of Donbass fought defensive battles on October 8 and 9.
More than 300 Ukrainian servicemen, seven tanks, 13 armored combat vehicles and 17 cars were destroyed in the Mykolaiv-Krivoy Rog direction alone during the day. Experts note: the allied forces were well prepared for defense and gave the enemy a worthy rebuff. On October 8, the Ministry of Defense reported that General Sergei Surovikin, a participant in several wars and armed conflicts, was appointed commander of a group of troops in the area of a special military operation.
From Kherson to Kupyansk
Over the weekend, the Kiev regime attempted an offensive in several directions simultaneously, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.
In particular, on October 9, in the Kupyansk area, the enemy, with the forces of two battalions of the 14th and 92nd mechanized brigades of the VFU, reinforced by foreign mercenaries, made unsuccessful attempts to break through the defense of Russian troops in the direction of Kislovka, Kharkiv region and Kuzemovka, LNR.
— All enemy attacks are repelled. More than 50 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank and nine armored fighting vehicles have been destroyed," the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, said on Sunday, October 9.
A day earlier, in this direction, the enemy, with the forces of two reinforced battalions, attempted an offensive in the direction of the settlements of Pershotravnevoye and Yagodnoye in the Kharkiv region. All the attacks of the VFU were repelled by the units of the Russian troops. More than 100 servicemen, two tanks, five infantry fighting vehicles and four cars were destroyed. In addition, as a result of strikes on enemy reserves in the Kharkiv region, more than 110 Ukrainian servicemen of the 14th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 19th battalion of the Air Defense were destroyed.
Photo: TASS/Krasilnikov Stanislav
Image source: iz.ru
In addition, as a result of the fire damage of the reserves of the 92nd mechanized brigade of the VFU, about 60 Ukrainian servicemen, two tanks and three armored vehicles were destroyed.
In the areas of the settlements of Novovodyanoye, Karmazinovka and Makeyevka of the Luhansk People's Republic, four Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups were discovered and destroyed by artillery fire. 17 militants, two pickups with heavy machine guns and one car were eliminated.
On Saturday, October 8, more than 30 servicemen, three infantry fighting vehicles and five pickups were destroyed in the Krasnolimansky direction during another unsuccessful attempt to force the Zherebets River by the forces of two reinforced companies of the VFU. The next day, the VFU did not take active offensive actions, conducting reconnaissance of the front edge of the defense of the Russian troops.
Enemy attacks were also repulsed in the Luhansk direction. More than 120 Ukrainian servicemen, three tanks, seven armored fighting vehicles and 11 cars were destroyed.
In the Zaporozhye direction, the units of the Russian troops on Sunday repelled repeated attacks by the VFU. About 100 servicemen, two tanks, five armored fighting vehicles and six cars were destroyed. In addition, strikes were carried out on the points of temporary deployment of units of foreign mercenaries "Foreign Legion" and the brigade of special purpose "Bars" of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. On October 8, more than 160 militants were liquidated.
More than 100 servicemen and 12 pieces of military equipment were destroyed by the Russian Aerospace Forces strikes on the temporary deployment points of the 17th Tank and 92nd Mechanized brigades of the VFU.
In the South Donetsk direction, an attempt was made to counterattack units of the 115th mechanized brigade of the VFU and the 1st Brigade of the President of Ukraine. More than 90 servicemen, two tanks, eight armored fighting vehicles and six cars were eliminated.
On October 8, in the Mykolaiv-Krivoy Rog direction, the enemy tried to conduct an offensive by the forces of three battalion tactical groups, a tank battalion and a battalion of the National Guard that arrived from Western Ukraine. All attacks were repulsed. More than 240 servicemen, 12 tanks, 14 armored combat vehicles, eight vehicles and four artillery pieces were destroyed. The next day, as a result of the losses in manpower and equipment, the enemy did not undertake large-scale offensive actions. According to the updated data, the irretrievable losses of personnel of the 96th and 98th battalions of the 60th Infantry Brigade and the 128th mountain Assault Brigade of the VFU exceeded 30%.
As a result of concentrated Russian artillery strikes on the advancing column of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the VFU, an attempt to concentrate enemy troops was thwarted. Five columns, manpower, military equipment and artillery of Ukrainian formations were also defeated at firing positions in the areas of the settlements of Chervonoye, Novovoskresenskoye and Petropavlovsk in the Kherson region. The enemy's losses in this direction amounted to more than 80 servicemen killed, two tanks, a Polish self-propelled gun "Crab", 22 armored fighting vehicles, four cars and seven infantry fighting vehicles.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Pavel Lisitsyn
Image source: iz.ru
In the Andreevsky direction, Russian troops repelled the attacks of two motorized infantry companies of the VFU. Up to 90 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, 12 armored fighting vehicles and three cars were destroyed.
As a result of a high-precision strike by the Russian Aerospace Forces, an ammunition depot of the 61st Infantry Brigade in the Mykolaiv region was destroyed, where more than 200 missiles for the HIMARS and Hurricane MLRS were stored.
On October 9, enemy losses in the Mykolaiv-Krivoy Rog direction amounted to over 200 servicemen, three tanks, 41 armored fighting vehicles, three guns and seven cars.
In the air and on the ground
Over the weekend, Russian troops continued intensive strikes on Ukraine's military infrastructure.
Operational-tactical, army aviation, missile troops and artillery hit eight ammunition depots and rocket-artillery weapons, control points of the 14th mechanized, 81st airmobile brigades of the VFU and the 9th regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine, 101 artillery units in firing positions, 337 concentration areas, two American radar stations of the counter battery fighting (AN/TPQ-37), 337 areas of concentration of troops and a communication center of the Ukrainian group of troops in the Kharkiv region.
In an air battle, the fighter aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down a MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Forces in the Chapaevka area of the Zaporozhye region, as well as a Su-24 in the Dobroye area of the Mykolaiv region and a Mi-24 attack helicopter in the Mirolyubovka area of the Kherson region.
In two days, the air defense forces shot down 18 unmanned aerial vehicles, including one Bayraktar-TB2, 25 shells of the American HIMARS multiple launch rocket system near Ilovaysk in the DPR, Novaya Kakhovka, Nikolsky and Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power plants, a Tochka-U ballistic missile near the settlement of Chervoniy Mayak in the Kherson region and five shells of the MLRS "Hurricane" and "Alder" in the Olkhovatka area of the Kharkiv region and the city of Donetsk.
Bayraktar-TB2
Image source: Photo: REUTERS/Aziz Karimov
The Kiev regime continues provocations at the Zaporozhye NPP, the Defense Ministry noted. On Saturday, Ukrainian artillery fired 15 Grad MLRS missiles at Energodar and the territory adjacent to the nuclear power plant. Due to the impact of shells in the area of the industrial zone, the power transmission line that provides the needs of the station and the power supply of the Energodar failed. The enemy's firepower was suppressed by return fire. Backup diesel generators are used to ensure the operation of the Zaporozhye NPP. Currently, repair work is being completed to restore power supply. The radiation situation at the NPP is normal, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Since the beginning of the special military operation, 317 aircraft, 159 helicopters, 2,182 unmanned aerial vehicles, 379 anti-aircraft missile systems, 5,570 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 866 multiple rocket launchers, 3,460 field artillery and mortars, as well as 6431 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed, Igor Konashenkov listed.
– The enemy is trying to probe our defense, to find a slack. They operate on the scale of non—battalions - somewhere in companies, somewhere in sabotage and reconnaissance groups," military expert Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia. - In some direction they plan to launch a counterattack - most likely, on Zaporizhia. But as I understand it, our people have learned their lessons and thoroughly prepared. The enemy already feels it, gets it in the teeth. They have losses, including among mercenaries.
According to the expert, the VFU spent too much effort for strikes near Kharkov and on the Red Estuary.
— If they have enough strength to strike again, it will be one direction. If on Zaporizhia — we will have to force the Dnieper with all the ensuing consequences. This is a difficult case, and I think it will be an unsuccessful maneuver for them," he said.
"Instead of thugs"
Army General Sergei Surovikin was appointed commander of the grouping of troops in the area of the SVO by the decision of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the military department reported on September 8.
Surovikin was born on October 11, 1966 in Novosibirsk. Since 1983 — on active military service in the Armed Forces of the USSR, and then Russia. In 1987, he graduated from the Omsk Higher Command Military School with a gold medal, in 1995 - the Frunze Military Academy (with honors), in 2002 – the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (with honors).
He commanded a battalion of the Taman Division, which in August 1991 was involved in the incident in the tunnel on the Garden Ring. Then, while trying to block the exit of a column of armored vehicles from the tunnel, three defenders of the White House were killed. They tried to bring Surovikin to justice, but he was completely acquitted. It is known that as a result of the investigation, the charge was dropped, and Russian President Boris Yeltsin personally stood up for the young captain.
In the 1990s, Sergei Surovikin served in Tajikistan as part of the 201st Motorized Rifle Division, where he rose to Chief of Staff. In the 2000s, he commanded divisions in Russia, including the 42nd Motorized Rifle Division in Chechnya, and then the 20th Army.
In 2008-2010, he held an important post: he headed the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff. This structure is responsible for the planning of military operations and operational management of troops.
Since 2013, he has headed the Eastern District, and since May 2017, he has simultaneously led a group of Russian troops in Syria. He held the post of Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces since October 31, 2017.
In June of this year, the Russian Defense Ministry reported that he commanded the Southern Group of troops taking part in a special military operation.
Sergey Surovikin is perhaps the only acting general to whom the song is dedicated. It is called "Komdiv" and is still popular in the Southern Military District and the 42nd Division. There are such words in it: "Seryozha Surovikin is the commander of the 42nd/ In Chechnya, not in Barvikha, he is fighting a deadly battle/ There are not many and not a few wounds and orders/ General's shoulder straps instead of thug ranks."
Sergey Surovikin at a briefing at the National Defense Management Center
Image source: Photo: TASS/Alexey Ereshko
The general was repeatedly awarded. In 2017, he was awarded the title of Hero of the Russian Federation for courage and heroism shown in the performance of military duty in the SAR. He also received the Order of St. George IV degree, Courage, "For Military Merit" and a number of medals. The rank of General of the army was awarded in 2021.
— I have a very high opinion of Sergei Surovikin, — Vladislav Shurygin told Izvestia. — This is a general who has passed all the steps in the army and has a harsh life school behind him. I remembered his last name back in 1991. The new Russian government tried to appoint him an "enemy of democracy" and when I found out that he eventually remained in the ranks of the Armed Forces, I thought: fate is keeping him for something more. This day has come. At the most difficult moment, he was entrusted with the leadership of the troops in the SVO. Of course, this is a difficult position, in the army they are called "firing squad". But this is also a high trust. He will have to turn our skidding car into a modern racing car. It will be extremely difficult, given that someone has accepted the failures, and someone could not work in the difficult conditions of the special operation. A huge burden will fall on Surovikin, but I believe that this is the person we need. He has to deal with everything.
More precisely, a sniper
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation told about the servicemen who showed courage and dedication in the battles. So, the Ukrainian formations, seeking to regain control over the territories lost during the battle, attacked the positions of the battalion tactical group of Corporal Vyacheslav Tarantsev. Risking his own life, Vyacheslav took the wounded to a safe place by truck. After that, he returned to the battlefield and continued to repel enemy attacks, which were repulsed as a result.
Ukrainian nationalists fired at a car convoy of junior sergeant Ilshat Vakhitov. Despite multiple shrapnel wounds, Ilshat first took the loaded car to a safe area, and then delivered them to their destination. As a result, the units of the Russian troops received ammunition in a timely manner and continued to carry out combat missions. Ilshat Vakhitov was awarded the "Order of Courage" for his dedication and personal skills, the military department noted.
Petty Officer Yuri Margun, as part of the tank crew, covered the positions of the battalion tactical group. Ukrainian forces have repeatedly tried to break through the defensive lines. For two days, Yuri held the defense in one of the most tank-dangerous areas. Under his command, three enemy tanks and a large number of enemy manpower were destroyed.
Guard sailor Nikolai Kashirin, as part of a group of marines, was liberating a large city. During one of the battles of the guard, a sailor discovered an enemy sniper and eliminated the shooter with a well-aimed shot from a flamethrower.
"Thanks to the courage and determination of the guard of sailor Nikolai Kashirin, the militants deprived of sniper support left the held line of defense and retreated," the Defense Ministry noted.
Military equipment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Press Service of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Junior Sergeant Alexander Klovanich was providing security for a battalion tactical group column when he discovered a group of Ukrainian saboteurs. He was one of the first to join the battle. Covering his comrades, Alexander was wounded, but despite this, he personally destroyed up to five nationalists.
During one of the flights, the support column of Private Said Magomedov came under fire from the VFU. The car that was driving ahead of Said caught fire from the exploding shell. He pulled three wounded colleagues out of the hit car, gave them first aid and transported them to a safe place.
Major Yevgeny Rytchenko provided communications to the battalion tactical group, which was tasked with increasing the coverage areas of radio stations. Having found a suitable place to install a repeater, the signalmen headed towards the hill. At that time, Ukrainian nationalists opened mortar fire on them. Evgeny ordered his subordinates to take shelter, and he continued to install the equipment. After making sure of the functioning of the radio network, Evgeny, together with his subordinates, organized the defense.
During the offensive, Russian gunners led by Stanislav Sepeev destroyed two combat vehicles, three artillery pieces, including Western-made ones, and up to 20 nationalists. The courageous and professional actions of Lieutenant Colonel Sepeev made it possible to create a gap in the enemy's built-up defense, as a result of which, the militants' unit was completely eliminated, the military department said.
Andrey Fedorov
Roman Kretsul
Bogdan Stepovoy
