07/29/2024 – Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP
He fought fierce battles near Bakhmut, Chasy Yar and Kupyansk. He hides his face because he worked in the deep rear of the enemy.
In an exclusive interview with the OBOZ.UA channel, a soldier of the special unit of the GUR of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine “Artan” with the call sign “Drakon” spoke about the specifics of conducting hostilities at a disadvantage, how the Russians are changing the tactics of conducting hostilities and what should be the victory of Ukraine.
About how he joined the service
As soon as the full-scale invasion of the Russian armed forces began, he immediately went to the Military Commissariat. I was accepted, and I got into the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, from which I went on to fight in the Kherson, Mykolaiv, Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. It is also important to mention that I served in the army once before.
When the Russians entered Mykolaiv Oblast in columns, we fought in Voznesensk. We prepared the defense of the city with the forces of the battalion, took up firing positions, mined bridges and were ready to meet the enemy. As soon as the enemy column began to enter the city, a fairly tough battle ensued. It lasted quite a long time, and the Russians then suffered very large losses: they had several dozen pieces of equipment burning at the time. We managed to capture some of them.
Later, in the Donetsk region, we defended the village of Berestov. There was an extremely tense situation. At that time, we prevented the Russians from occupying the road leading to Severodonetsk. The constant battle lasted for about 10 days. We had about one company of personnel, but the guys held their positions heroically.
About enemy tactics
The enemy very often uses prohibited weapons: for example, chemical weapons. He uses gases, which he throws at our infantry in dugouts and basements. In particular, he uses drones for this, thereby smoking out our infantry, who are forced to leave their positions.
In general, they change their methods. If in Bakhmut the tactics of meat assaults were used – they attacked us with a large number of people and at the expense of this they advanced in the city buildings, then this time they also changed their tactics. Now they began to use the tactics of small groups more, where, for example, one or two armored vehicles try to break through our defenses, drive through our mine barriers and fortifications, drive into the city and rush the infantry. After that, small groups try to gain a foothold and hold their positions there.
If we compare the battles for Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar, it was a little easier under Bakhmut. There weren’t that many FPV drones. Also, they now have an increasing number of reconnaissance drones, which complicates movement and logistics. We must understand that they are also learning, just like us.
About training and brotherhood in the “Artan” unit
In fact, in order to join the unit, you don’t need any unique skills, but you need the desire and motivation to defend your land. Everyone is trained. We have our own training staff, which fully trains fighters in two months according to the standards of our unit, and prepares soldiers both psychologically and physically. Young fighters, who have not yet been in hot spots, are introduced to these tasks gradually. Let’s say, they are not immediately thrown into battle, but allowed to gain experience little by little.
Are there any extreme physical tasks or exercises?
We do not have such tests. But every day we train, because health is extremely important. And the more trained you are, the more chances you will have to save your life at a critical moment.
Peer support is very important. We are one big family in the unit. We always try to help each other both on the battlefield and on rotations. We always keep in touch and communicate.
I can calmly express my opinion to the commander. He will listen to me and perhaps take into account some of my remarks. There is no such thing as not being helped if one of the boys got into some kind of trouble.
Operations behind enemy lines
I participated in three such operations. They are somewhat more complicated than usual combat engagements. Comprehensive planning is being done not only at the level of our division, but also at the level of departments. We all prepare: study the terrain, the routes of our movement, analyze any situations that may occur, practice each of our movements, develop a backup plan.
In particular, we had a rather difficult operation – a very heavily mined area, through which it was necessary to move with the help of our engineers. There it was possible to make a path with a width of probably 50 centimeters, and its length was about 2.5 km and it passed through the forest. As soon as you leave the cleared path somewhere, you can get your leg blown up or lose it.
We, our group of about 20 people, set out on this path. It was quite difficult: there were constant artillery attacks, and you couldn’t hide. But we managed to pass through successfully: in two hours we reached the desired settlement and established our positions.
We stayed there for about one and a half to two days, waited for the enemy and set up an ambush. And then the enemy’s car drove up, who had no idea that we were already near him. We made a sieve out of this car: no one survived the ambush. Except for the dog. I don’t know how he survived. It must have been his day, because everything around was shot up, everything had holes in it.
And although we mostly work at night, for the last operation we had to walk about 4 km in open areas during the day. Russian reconnaissance drones were watching there. And finally, an FPV drone flew to us. We had to hide in the thicket, and although he wanted to hit us, he fortunately got caught in the branches and crashed. Then we walked another 500 meters and again an FPV drone appeared. We hid in the woods again, but it too caught sight of us again. Miraculously, this drone did not explode: the warhead simply did not work. We were able to walk through the minefield and this eventually completed our mission. We managed to return as a whole group.
Is it scary to work in the rear?
Sometimes fear helps you survive. But it is in the rear of the enemy that it is not so scary. It just creates a different set of problems. Yes, in case of any injuries, it is much more difficult to evacuate personnel. But the main problem for me is weather conditions. It is most difficult to work, for example, when it is hot outside in summer, or in winter, when it is bitterly cold, or in spring, when you are knee-deep in mud.
How did the Russians surrender?
In Chasovoy Yar, the following situation developed: there were about 10 enemy soldiers occupying the basement of a house. While there were six of our reconnaissance fighters in the vicinity. But after talking with the enemy for several minutes, the enemy fighters decided to surrender. One of them, it is true, shot himself, but the others decided to surrender and thus saved their lives. The fact is that they heard who was present here and decided not to try their fate.
I managed to personally capture Russians on a number of occassions. The maximum nunber I took prisoner at one certin time was five people. When they surrender, they usually immediately ask not be killed. Although there is no special desire to kill them anymore. Most often, at the time of capture, they throw away their weapons. And all of them, as usual, have the same story about being forcibly inducted, etc.
About injuries
During a certain incident, I absolutely did not expect anything to happen. We were just talking as I was sitting on the parapet of a trench. And a second later, I’m already lying in the trench, bleeding from my mouth. I looked at my right hand and couldn’t move it.
Fortunately, there were guys nearby who helped me very quickly, carried out the evacuation, and our medics provided assistance.
In general, there are many situations when you can die. Literally on one exit, on one combat mission, there may be several times when an enemy attack occurs and a projectile falls a few meters from you. And you won’t be affected by a miracle, because you managed to fall or hide behind a wall or simply managed to bend down.
About men abroad
What is annoying is the behavior of people, of our society. It seems to me that it does not always understand the sacrifices made by soldiers and commanders. Those who have friends who are at war understand the situation. They restrain themselves in something, limit themselves. They understand that you don’t need to post some of your night clubs on Instagram or any other social networks.
It is clear that all men cannot fight. It is necessary to somehow work in the rear, and this is also a very important job.
As for those men who went abroad during a full-scale invasion, I guess that’s their personal choice. I have many acquaintances who returned from Poland and Germany and have already died. They took part in the defense of our country from the first days, and for that they get great respect.
As for those men who crossed the border illegally, perhaps they will return someday. What will be the attitude towards them? Probably neutral. As for the evaders who hide at home and do not leave the house for months, sit locked in their apartment so that, God forbid, they are not served with a summons, I treat them as negatively as possible. If you’re already staying here, you’re healthy and you don’t have any legal grounds for a postponement there, come to the ZSU. You can choose your unit. Moreover, now there are a lot of different types of troops – the same unmanned aerial vehicles, artillery – you can choose anything that you like and in which you see yourself. It is not necessary to immediately go somewhere in the assault brigades. Sit at home and wait for the Russians to come to you and forcefully mobilize? I think this is completely wrong.
Every Ukrainian must prepare for military service. And women are the same. In my opinion, the structure of our army should be more or less the same as in South Korea or Israel, where women are also required to undergo military service.
So, probably, the term service, which lasted one and a half or two years, is not needed. Perhaps it will be possible to teach a fighter in half a year, train him to use weapons correctly. They should be reminded of these skills once a year. Now we have such a situation that even if this war ends, no one will give a guarantee that it will not start again in 10-15 years. And if our population already has certain skills, it will be easier to repel enemy attacks.
What should victory be?
For me, victory is a return of all our borders from 1991, Ukrainian Crimea and all our regions. It is also the accession to NATO and certain guarantees that this will not happen again. Victory for me will be when all our fighters and warriors can return home to their families. This applies to refugees who will be able to return to their homes.
And, of course, the restoration of all these areas. I think it will take several decades. It is about demining to make our lands habitable.
I dream that our victory will come as soon as possible, I can return home, be with my family, my girlfriend, maybe propose to her and get married. Now there is simply no time for that.
Not everyone can be a fighter, like this guy. Not everyone has the courage, the skills, or the stamina to endure hard combat. But, a war requires a multitude of other people that help the combat soldier do his or her job. To help the country defend itself through its industries and public services, through the medical fields, communication, research and development, and so much more.
Europe is doing Ukraine no favor by harboring hundreds of thousands of cowards that crossed the border illegally. Send them back to Ukraine now! They are needed, if not in combat, then in countless other jobs and tasks.
“For me, victory is a return of all our borders from 1991, Ukrainian Crimea and all our regions. It is also the accession to NATO and certain guarantees that this will not happen again. Victory for me will be when all our fighters and warriors can return home to their families. This applies to refugees who will be able to return to their homes.”
That is the ONLY acceptable resolution to the putler horror.
But even that is only the beginning: all civilised people; including the key western decision-makers, should demand full reparations: starting at the $1.5 trillion mark.
Plus the hand over of all war criminals, including the politicians that formulated the genocide policy.
And the dismantling of mafia land, making numerous smaller countries out of it. Muscovy should be completely levelled and salted.