Russian gunners can no longer imagine their work without adjustments from the airIn the area of Avdiivka, the fighters of the 1st Donetsk Army Corps continue to push the stubbornly resisting enemy.
Where until recently there was a front line and infantry, tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were firing at Ukrainian militants, now there is a tactical rear. Heavy howitzers and multiple rocket launchers operate from there. The effective work of Donetsk "gunners" leads to tangible losses among Ukrainian militants. Therefore, the VFU relies on the use of various kamikaze drones against them. The correspondents of Izvestia saw how the fighting was going on in the Avdiivka direction, visited the positions of the Msta-B howitzers, learned how the fighters of the Donetsk corps were fighting with Ukrainian drones and successfully used their own to adjust the fire.
Near rear
Getting to the positions of the gunners near Donetsk is not so easy. They pay close attention to camouflage, equipment of their positions. Due to the constant work of Ukrainian drones, the shells are not just laid out in protective cellars, but also carefully camouflaged with nets, like the gun itself. In order not to unmask the position, the cars must be left in the distance and continue to move on foot along the landings. Of course, it is better to keep the phones turned off, because in addition to the UAV, the enemy's technical intelligence also works.
Gunners are working against the background of constant reports of shelling of Donetsk and the suburbs. Almost every day is not without victims, and most of the fighters have families there. Ukraine has decided to hold Avdiivka, which used to be part of a single Donetsk-Makeyevka agglomeration, at any cost, while maintaining a threat to Donetsk. In addition to military significance, for Ukraine it is one of the most important symbols of the fact that they are standing on the threshold of the main rebellious city.
Next to us is a camouflaged Msta—B gun, located in a convenient place in the landing. From the bottoms of the shells of the tank gun and the spent cartridges, it can be understood that infantry fighting vehicles and tanks worked from closed firing positions from here until recently. But the advanced units are moving forward, and the means of support are being pulled up. The density of troops is so great that all units are located literally shoulder to shoulder.
The gun accounts for about 20 firing tasks per day. And each task is at least a dozen shots. But experienced gunners have already become accustomed to such loads during their time. We have found ways to hit enemy artillery, including modern NATO artillery.
— Our main tasks are counter—battery fighting and infantry support, — says an officer of the 1st Donetsk corps with the call sign Perseus.
Not so long ago, his subordinates hit a 155-millimeter self-propelled artillery installation, transferred to Kiev by one of the Western countries.
— If we don't get the distance, then we drive up and then we get it, — explains Perseus.
His unit already has destroyed self-propelled guns and towed enemy guns. Perseus has been in the army since 2014. Then he was only 20 years old. During this time, he managed to get an education as a manager-manager, start a family. But, in fact, his entire adult life was spent on the line of combat contact in the Donbass, and Perseus does not know what he will do after the conflict ends. He even gets a little lost from this question. Although from the positions of the gunners, even Avdiivka is not visible yet, and the world seems very far away and a little unreal.
While waiting for the command to open fire, we recall past firing positions where we worked with the same unit in autumn and winter. By their "rifts" the gunners feel the advance. Of course, not like the assault infantry, but they understand that the line of contact is moving. Moreover, the work is often carried out on extended—range charges, which means that the targets are within range.
Unmanned threat
Ukrainian kamikaze UAVs have become a new problem for the gunners. Recently, one of these attacked neighboring positions, and it was guided from the "wing" — this is how large reconnaissance drones of the airplane type are called in military slang.
At the moment, the air defense equipment is on duty around the positions. Machine gunners and air observers are visible on the approach. The gunner on duty has an anti—drone gun - a kind of portable jamming of navigation and control signals. It is enough to point it at the enemy drone, and it can already be planted or disabled. Before our arrival, UAVs were spotted in the sky. Therefore, the calculation closely monitors the airspace.
— Two drones were shot down recently. One of them is "Mavic—the third" (the slang name of DJI's Mavic 3 quadcopter. — "Izvestia") with the emblems of the Sergei Pritula Foundation," says Perseus.
Sergei Pritula, a comedian and a star of Ukrainian TV, has been supplying units that participated in the battles in the Donbass since 2014. First of all, the so-called volunteer organizations that are part of nationalist organizations. For years, these supplies allowed them to carry out terrorist acts. Therefore, shooting down a UAV with such an emblem is a separate joy for the fighters.
Donetsk gunners are also using drones, and more and more often. Our interlocutor can no longer remember the last time he fired without correction from the air. Of course, the main problems are with the supply of UAVs. Moreover, regular losses of devices must be compensated. Therefore, now in many divisions, 100% of the UAVs used are samples bought with their own money or for volunteer fees.
Both civilians and military personnel are waiting for the last major road to Avdiivka to be taken under fire control. The blocking of this fortified area should ease the situation throughout the north-west of Donetsk, where the line of contact still runs right through the city outskirts.
Dmitry Astrakhan
Alexey Ramm
