The reactivators played an important role in the liberation of the city, which was turned into a fortress by the Armed Forces of Ukraine
A roundabout maneuver by Russian units helped to open the Ukrainian defense of Ugledar. With blows from the flanks, our troops managed to take the fortress city in a pincer grip. Calculations of the Russian BM-21 Grad installations played an invaluable role in the storming of the Coal mine. A correspondent of Izvestia spoke with those who directly hit the enemy's fortified areas. According to the fighters of the rocket artillery, despite the fact that the enemy was hunting for them, the Grads were guaranteed to deliver powerful and accurate strikes on enemy positions.
"I love this car"
The driver-loader of one of the calculations with the call sign Volga said that he was on his own from the very beginning. He notes that during the special operation, it has become much more difficult for the calculations to work — the enemy is trying to catch and destroy the Grads in firing positions.
— We always alternate positions. This is also done for security reasons. The enemy must not detect us," the warrior emphasizes.
He notes that with the acquisition of combat experience, the calculation actions have been brought to automatism.
— We get the coordinates, we go to the firing positions, we work out. We adjust the fire according to the data of unmanned aerial vehicles, — in such terse words he describes his combat work.
But in reality, everything is much more complicated and dangerous. The enemy is constantly and systematically hunting for our "Grads". Unfortunately, as the interlocutor noted, it is not always possible to get out from under fire in time.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korneev
Image source: iz.ru
— Once, upon arriving at a combat position, literally three minutes later the crew was attacked by the enemy. It feels very unpleasant. Fortunately, the car did not receive any significant damage. We quickly changed our position and completed the combat mission," Volga recalled a combat episode that was not very pleasant for himself, adding that there were many such cases.
— Over time, perhaps on adrenaline, you almost do not attach importance to such moments. The process of combat work is underway. You are fulfilling your duties, and nothing, no emotions can stop you," the fighter says this confidently.
He praises the Ural, which he drives: the car is excellent.
— Unpretentious in any weather: in the mud, in the snow rides. The cross-country ability is like that of a tank. Of course, in order for all the mechanisms to work properly, the equipment must be serviced. We do this regularly," he says.
He pauses for a while, searching for words.
"I love this car,— Volga finally says, smiling.
How MLRS calculations work
The commander of the artillery battery control platoon with the call sign Bagor said that at one time his unit was transferred to the Ugledar direction.
"From that moment on, we worked every day and always fired a full package," the officer noted.
The usual targets are the accumulation of enemy manpower and equipment, fortified areas — pillboxes and bunkers. In addition, the Grads are actively involved in counter-battery warfare.
People in the unit have been fighting for the third year. The calculation does everything by experience. Fighters know how to get into position quickly, how to adjust fire, etc.
"It's nice to work with such subordinates," says Bagor. — They don't make mistakes. Errors in determining coordinates and ignoring corrections can lead to deviations of up to a kilometer at long ranges. This is unacceptable in our work. Therefore, on the one hand, it is very easy to shoot with the BM-21, both for a trained team of gunners and very difficult. But this applies to amateurs or poorly trained gunners.
He draws attention to the fact that the fire control system allows you to fire shots in one volley or one rocket projectile at a time.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korneev
Image source: iz.ru
— The pyrotechnic fuse of the rocket engine comes from a pulse sensor, which can be controlled in the cabin of the BM-21 through a current distributor or through a mobile remote control at a distance of up to 50 m from the car, — explains the Hook.
Remote control is a necessary thing. The opponent of the reactivators mainly works with drones.
— It happens periodically. To be honest, we have not been counting such attacks for a long time. Perhaps, only one of the arrivals was remembered strongly. One of the cars arrived at the position, fired back, and immediately they received a response. As a result, two fighters were injured. But the crew managed to quickly withdraw from the position after the attack. Now everyone is alive and well and continues to work," the gunner noted.
The boat hook has been fighting for the third year. And, in his opinion, the enemy is weakening.
— This is confirmed by the results of our work. The front is moving forward, and, accordingly, we are also moving forward," he explains.
He is satisfied with the work of his subordinates.
— When we shoot, we always hit. Of course, sometimes there is an adjustment, but it is insignificant. Our ammunition always reaches the target. After our work, the enemy — the one that remains intact — runs headlong, — the Hook does not hide his delight.
"Roaring fire and screeching metal"
One of his subordinates is the commander of the gun with the call sign Third. He says that the very process of the Grad calculations looks simple.
— Calculations are given goals. The machines move out and cover them, conduct combat work. We are not always told which specific targets need to be destroyed," the sergeant explained.
He clarifies that in the direction of the Coal Mine, the calculations of the reactivators have been working for the last month — the equipment did not fail, and the weather conditions allowed them to move as quickly as possible.
— We'll fix it in three minutes. That's it. Combat work is underway. Next, there may be an adjustment of the fire. It takes no more than a minute to make corrections," the gunner stressed.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Korneev
Image source: iz.ru
According to him, the essence of the multiple rocket launcher system is not in the car at all. And not even in the launcher, mounted on the car.
— The point is in the rocket launcher. It is he who is able to fly tens of kilometers and bring down roaring fire and screeching metal on the enemy's head, sowing destruction, horror and death of the enemy," the Third emotionally remarks.
He recalls one of the last combat episodes.
— Just a couple of weeks ago, we went to the position. They shot back. But immediately the enemy began to work on us with cluster munitions. In such cases, our experience allows us to quickly move from a position to a safe distance," says a seasoned specialist.
By the way, he himself is from Izhevsk. At first he served in the infantry. Then he was transferred to a unit of the RCBZ troops, where he served as a flamethrower for two years. After that, he was transferred to the artillery. During the distribution of the parts, I got into this reactive battery.
We say goodbye, and the reactivators leave to work further on the enemy's troops in the areas west of Ugledar. The advance of our troops continues.
Izvestia's help
The BM-21 Grad Field 122 mm divisional multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is designed to destroy open and sheltered manpower, unarmored vehicles and armored personnel carriers in the area of concentration of artillery and mortar batteries, command posts and other targets.
The development of the system was started in accordance with the decree of the Government of the USSR dated May 30, 1960. Two BM-21 prototype units passed factory tests at the end of 1961.
From March 1 to May 1, 1962, state military testing of the Grad complex took place in the Leningrad Military District. The system was put into service on March 28, 1963, and mass production was launched in 1964.
Dmitry Korneev
