How Russian troops liberate Krasnogorovka, the last city in the agglomeration, from where Donetsk is being shelled
Russian units operating in the Donetsk direction have gained a foothold in Krasnohorivka, the last city of the Donetsk agglomeration in which the enemy remains and from where the shelling of the capital of the DPR is conducted. In dense residential and industrial buildings, the advance of assault groups takes place with constant massive fire support, UAV and aviation strikes. The correspondent of Izvestia visited the positions and got acquainted with the work of the mortars of the 110th infantry regiment in the Krasnogorovsky direction.
Difficulties of disguise
Krasnogorovka in the DPR was captured by Ukrainian militants in 2014. Since that time, the city, as well as the one located south of Marinka, has turned into a major stronghold right on the outskirts of Donetsk. It was from there that the shelling of the Petrovsky district of the city went on for years and continues today, where civilians are injured and killed every day.
The assault on Krasnogorovka began immediately after the liberation of Avdiivka. The units of the Southern Group of Troops were able to enter and gain a foothold in the building, where they further develop success. It was in the battles for this city that tanks with additional armor and protection from UAVs, called "tsar-mangal" in the press, became famous for the first time, with their help, assaults took place. At the same time, the enemy is doing its best to hold Krasnogorovka, using not only massive FPV drones, but also scarce cluster shells for artillery.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The positions of the 120mm mortar of the 110th regiment, from where our forces are supported, are equipped and camouflaged "according to the latest word". A dug-in mortar from the side of a possible kamikaze drone approach is covered with nets, located under trees.
— We are working in the Krasnogorovsky direction, there is a lot of work now. We often work on Ukrainian fortifications, where they have been dug in for a very long time. Now we are breaking them up, taking territories," says the commander of the calculation with the call sign Bayonet.
According to the soldier, with such tactics, calculations work at any time of the day, many times a day, as soon as they receive targets. As the assault detachments move forward, the artillery also "rolls over". Enemy UAVs are trying to detect it when firing or changing positions.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— We were moving forward and at the same moment shifted because we were found. We were hit by drones and under oncoming artillery fire, thank God, we managed. At the moment, we were able to disguise ourselves, and now it's hard to find us," Bayonet explains. In such conditions, it is necessary not only to equip a firing position, but also shelters for personnel. All this also falls on the shoulders of the calculations as an additional burden.
"The adrenaline is already going through the roof"
The entire calculation consists of former mobilized People's Militia of the DPR, who were called up in the early days of the SVO. Bayonet was a bailiff and received a summons on February 24, and two days later he found himself on the front line as an infantryman.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— The baptism of fire took place in the Maryinsky direction, we came from the Zaporozhye highway, well, it was fun, but we learned everything quickly. We counted all the guys in the infantry, so we know the value of seconds, we understand that 10 seconds can either save a life or take a life. You know perfectly well how the guys rely on you, there (in the infantry) are those with whom we started fighting. You can't, you just don't have the right to let them down," Bayonet explains.
One of the numbers of the Vestnik calculation, a former mine power engineer, also began his mobilization in the infantry.
— If we did not have time to work out, it is better to give a delay so that the guys either move away if we cover the withdrawal, or, as it is called, cover the square and put the enemy on the ground. The adrenaline is already off the scale when you work, everything is on the machine, " says the Messenger. It is clearly visible that everyone in the calculation understands very clearly what fire support looks like where the storming infantry receives it. A year ago, they themselves were in front and waited for the rustle of their shells and mines passing overhead.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
At the command of the Bayonet, the mortar is masked and aimed, the first shot goes towards Krasnogorovka. The gunner begins to restore his aim, but an enemy drone is heard from the side, and the mortar is quickly masked. Everyone runs to shelters to wait out the scout's flight. And only when it gets quiet, they make a second shot. After completing the combat work, the calculation again masks the position. Someone reminds the Messenger that the barrel of the mortar must be covered with an old steel helmet. He recalls how in 2022, in the same helmets, the Donbass mobilized, nicknamed "iron helmets" for the lack of modern equipment, went on the offensive in the same direction, where the battle for Marinka and Krasnogorovka stretched for almost two years.
Dmitry Astrakhan
