The rapid installation of minefields in front of the advancing enemy and good engineering training on our part became one of the main factors in the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023. It was then that one of the newest combat vehicles in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation became famous — the remote mining system "Agriculture". This technique was first publicly demonstrated in 2020 at a parade in Moscow, and its tests ended shortly before its launch. The correspondent of Izvestia at the forefront saw how the combat work of the calculation was going on, learned about how these systems are used in offensive and defense.
The rapid installation of minefields in front of the advancing enemy and good engineering training on our part became one of the main factors in the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer of 2023. It was then that one of the newest combat vehicles in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation became famous — the remote mining system "Agriculture". This technique was first publicly demonstrated in 2020 at a parade in Moscow, and its tests ended shortly before its launch. The correspondent of Izvestia at the forefront saw how the combat work of the calculation was going on, learned about how these systems are used in offensive and defense.
How "Agriculture" was used in the Avdiivka direction
The combat vehicle "Agriculture" is designed for the remote installation of minefields: both anti-tank and anti-personnel.
— In the offensive in the Avdiivka direction, we established minefields in the enemy's rear, that is, we blocked his escape routes. And the enemy suffered very heavy losses," says an officer with the call sign Kama about his combat experience using the engineering system of remote mining (ISDM) "Agriculture".
According to him, the fighters first receive the coordinates of the targets. After that, the readings of the weather sensors are taken. All calculations for shooting are performed automatically.
In just 3 minutes, one such machine is capable of installing a minefield of the required configuration, up to several football fields in size. All mines used in the Agriculture complex are equipped with self-destructors, so they will not pose a threat to our troops or civilians in the future, Kama noted.
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Structurally, "Agriculture" is similar to modern multiple rocket launchers. The installation has two "packages" of 25 guides for projectiles. Thanks to modern control and guidance systems, the calculation does not leave the armored cabin during operation.
After his military service, Kama worked as an auto mechanic, then entered a military school and was already an officer in the military security zone, where he has been performing tasks for more than two years.
— I worked in a mine clearance group. Then I graduated from the "Agriculture" system and have been working on it all the time," says the officer.
Since the car is new in the army, the crew was trained in special courses. At the same time, the degree of automation of management in "Agriculture" is such that, according to Kama, it was not difficult to master it. It is much easier than learning how to shoot from Soviet-era artillery installations.
"My grandfather was in Marshal Zhukov's guard"
Kama selected and prepared the personnel of the security group for this valuable equipment himself.
Cheshire stands out among the fighters, even under the massive equipment it is clearly noticeable that he was engaged in weightlifting. He already has downed kamikaze drones on his account, that is, saved equipment and the lives of his comrades.
— I'm from Ufa. In civilian life, he was a massage therapist, had a good business and did not need money. I have the title of master of sports in powerlifting, and also competed in extreme power. And here I have many acquaintances and friends, and I made the decision that I need to go and defend my homeland from the enemy," he explains.
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Cheshire was also motivated to fight the Ukrainian Nazis by the history of his family.
— I had two great-grandfathers who fought. One, unfortunately, returned without a leg. The second one was healthy, whole, went through three wars, was in the protection of Marshal Zhukov, was the commandant of one of the German cities, his personal file is still classified. He started as a sergeant major, and ended the war with the rank of guard captain. It's really my legacy, it's my last name, I can't disgrace it. I am fighting the same enemy, Nazism," the soldier is sure.
Thanks to the knowledge and experience of a professional athlete, Cheshire not only became the commander of the security group, but also a medic.
How is remote mining performed
Tasks of remote mining in modern conditions are solved by various types of UAVs and wheeled robots.
But the tactical niche of IMDM "Agriculture" is different. If individual roads or other local objects are blocked with the help of robots, then the salvo of the system can mine large areas of the area. Dozens of drones will not be able to cope with this work.
Due to its special value, the combat vehicle is covered with additional anti-cumulative nets on top of standard armor and additional electronic warfare systems.
Earlier, Izvestia wrote that the Russian military had mastered the tactics of remote mining using drones.
Infographics
Image source: iz.ru
— As you know, there are three types of UAVs, — says platoon commander Denis, call sign Legate. — Attack drones, scouts and so-called FPV (First Person View, "first person view". — Izvestia), that is, kamikaze. Now a fourth one has been added to them — our "miners", capable of using special mechanisms to bring a projectile into combat readiness in the air and reset it.
Mining drones also belong to the FPV class, the Legate explains, the control is carried out by a remote control in virtual glasses. But it is not required to crash into the target and, accordingly, self-destruct. The aircraft delivers the projectile to the desired point, 2-6 km from the demarcation line. And then he returns back to the operator, remaining in the ranks. So, according to Denis, a drone named "St. George" (guys call their screw machines, like ships in the tsarist army, the names of Russian saints) made 34 successful round-trip flights.
The most common projectile for casting is the POM-2 mine (antipersonnel fragmentation). When cocking it, four thin 10-meter nylon threads are released from the body, which act as tripwire sensors. The radius of the circular damage of the "pomka" is 16 m.
Dmitry Astrakhan
