How the heirs of the legendary "Black Knives" are fighting in the Avdiivka direction
Many formations of the Russian army operating in the zone of a special military operation trace their history back to the time of the Great Patriotic War. Tankers, who are considered the heirs of the Ural volunteer tank corps, which German intelligence nicknamed "Black Knives", are also fighting in the Avdeevsky direction as part of units of the Central Military District (CVO). Izvestia visited the tankers, saw the new T-72B3M tanks and learned from the fighters how the history and spirit of the unit help them in battles.
German intelligence noticed
At the end of 1942, the Ural workers decided, working beyond the plan, to equip the tank corps with military equipment. More than 100 thousand volunteers expressed a desire to serve in this unit, which was much more than the regular number. This made it possible to conduct a very rigorous selection process — to choose fighters with the necessary specialties and good health.
Ural workers helped equip tankers going to the front. Among the gifts to the volunteers was a special series of HP-40 army knives with handles and scabbards in black — this is the traditional color of tank troops.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The Ural tankers received their baptism of fire in the battles on the Kursk Bulge. It was there that German intelligence recorded the appearance of strong young men with identical knives at the front. The name "Black Knives" was fixed first among the enemies, and later, unofficially, in our army.
New traditions
Their heirs — active Ural tankers from the Center group — meet us at the T-72B3M tank disguised in a forest plantation. There are guards badges on the uniform. Recently, the Supreme Commander of Russia awarded this high title to the new "black knives".
— We are the continuers of the traditions of the legendary tank corps and realize that it must be matched. The guys told us that the enemy is afraid of our tankers, "black knives," says the tank commander with the call sign Baikonur.
Among the "old-new" traditions in the unit is the presentation of a traditional black knife to the most distinguished.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Baikonur joined the army on mobilization, but has already participated many times in supporting assaults, including directly bringing his combat vehicle to direct fire.
Tanks today remain one of the main targets for the enemy. Baikonur says that his car has already withstood more than five hits from fpv drones. The last one received dozens of hits and maintained combat capability.
By the way of the "King-grill"
Our tankers are armed with a new T-72B3M vehicle. This is the most modern modification of the Ural tank, made already during its military operation, taking into account the experience of fighting in the first year. It was demonstrated at the Army 2023 forum.
The tank is not only equipped with additional factory protection against drones and anti—tank missiles, the so-called grill, but also additional dynamic protection - it is installed in vulnerable places.
Tankers are also constantly improving protection and updating it in places of damage. On the car we are considering, the engine is already covered with a homemade visor. This brings the combat vehicle closer to the specially protected tanks that have become popular on the Internet, which have managed to get the nickname "King Grill".
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Baikonur says that during his service in the battalion, he has never seen the crew of a modern Russian tank with additional protection die in a combat vehicle.
According to him, the talk that our tanks are dangerous for the crews is just Western propaganda.
Baikonur constantly studies videos of the defeat of Western armored vehicles on the Internet and excitedly proves that they are worse than our T-90 and T-72 tanks of the latest modifications.
As in a passenger car
Sitting on the tower, the gunner operator shows additional protection and tells how access to the hatches is organized through external massive structures. He shares his experience in upgrading protection.
— An FPV drone flew into the tank, and not even one. And the cumulative jet did not reach the tower. There were no traces left, the grilles were changed immediately. Our roof is closed with a factory design, and we close the transmission ourselves," says a fighter with the call sign Birch.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
According to him, during vacations, tankers communicate with factory workers and promptly give them feedback, so changes to the design of the T-72 are made very quickly.
The driver mechanic is also happy with the tank. The former gardener served military service as a mechanized wheeled vehicle, and mastered tanks after mobilization. The convenience and ease of driving a modern tank compares with passenger cars.
— Everything is fine, convenient, fine, everything is at hand. You always have to carry out quick maneuvers on the way to the position, you can't delay, the enemy is also awake," explains the Crumb.
Today, in the Avdiivka direction, armored vehicles work closely with assault detachments — they support them during attacks on enemy fortifications.
Tasks are also performed from closed firing positions. This technique became common in the troops during a military special operation, when the enemy received new means of combating classical artillery.
Today, despite everything, tanks remain one of the main combat units on the line of contact, constantly performing combat missions.
Dmitry Astrakhan
