09/14/2024 – Translated from Ukrainian via Google and OFP

The Kursk operation was a unique event not only for the entire campaign of the Ukrainian Defense Forces since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, many compared it to World War II. And one of the main breakthrough units of this operation was the 225th separate assault battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. I managed to talk to those who were at the forefront of the attack.

From the first days of the Kursk operation, the units of the 225th separate assault battalion were responsible for breaking through the enemy’s defenses and penetrating as deeply as possible into the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. But the main effect that the operation of August 6 had on many was the complete surprise and lack of understanding of what was happening: how far could it go? In turn, the level of secrecy deserves special attention, which I simply could not help but ask the battalion commanders and fighters about.

– When your unit entered the Kursk region, were you aware of where exactly you were heading?

Commander of the 225th separate assault battalion Oleg Shiryaev : Of course, they were informed.

Swede, commander of the 1st assault company: Yes, the first goal was to break through the defensive line so that other units could go deeper into the Kursk region.

San Sanych, commander of the fire support company : We learned about the location of the operation about a day before it began. Before that, we were all informed that we were going to Sumy Oblast.

Chip, commander of the assault company of the 225th separate assault battalion : Yes, a complete understanding of where we were going and the tasks. They were set and communicated to the personnel within a few days.

– Did your unit have any other, more intensive training beforehand ? That is, did you feel like you were being prepared for something serious?

Swede : The preparation was the highest in the history of this war, but there was little time. Nothing was felt, there was just a good fighting spirit.

San Sanych : Part of the battalion (namely special assault companies) underwent intensive training, but for us it is always at maximum speed. This is tactics, medicine, sapper work, cartography, “Nettle”, orientation on the ground, communications… The second part of the battalion held the defense in Chasovy Yar and from there was transferred to Sumy Oblast.

Chip: We always prepare intensively and intensively, and we are re-equipped after each combat mission.

– What locations have you visited since 2022 and how can you assess the uniqueness of the Kursk operation compared to previous experience in the combat zone in Ukraine?

Oleg Shiryaev: There were battles in the Kharkov region, in the Donetsk region. In Chasik there were more difficult battles than in Kursk region.

San Sanych : Our battalion went through the hottest spots – Kharkiv region, Bakhmut, Makeyevka, Gorlovka, Avdiyevka, Chasov Yar. Each location is different, and the conduct of combat operations, weapons and equipment used differ depending on the location. The beginning of the Kursk operation took place in dynamics, a raid on armor with the support of heavy machine guns. Surprise and speed played a major role in this operation.

Chip : Yes, the operation in the Kursk region is unusual and new.

– How did you feel the enemy resistance in the Kursk region, were the Russians ready for such a scenario? And even if not, how noticeable is the difference in the training of their Kursk group compared to your unit?

Oleg Shiryaev: They threw all their main forces at Pokrovsk, in the Kharkov region. When we started the operation, it was a blow to the enemy, but I wouldn’t say that there was a small concentration of troops here. There was a corresponding number of troops at all the VOPs and ROPs. They understood that we would attack.

Swede : I have never underestimated the enemy, we are simply better trained and more motivated than the Russian Armed Forces.

San Sanych : The Russians were not ready, the first line was occupied by conscripts, young guys who had not yet seen life – they willingly surrendered, the resistance was minimal. The contract soldiers and “Akhmat” ran away first, and the conscripts were abandoned. If you compare the preparation of our battalion with the enemy, then the preparation and motivation in our battalion is an order of magnitude higher than that of the enemy.

– Did you have any captured Russians and how many were taken prisoner by your unit? If we can talk about it .

Oleg Shiryaev: Our separate assault battalion took more than 50 prisoners

San Sanych : These are conscripts, mobilized soldiers, Kadyrovites, Africans – a hodgepodge.

– Were there any captured vehicles and how many? What was most often captured and were there any interesting, unusual examples?

San Sanych : There was little equipment, we got some trophies, but not much, because we are an assault battalion and go first. And those who follow us, probably got a good amount of trophies.

Swede : The most common trophies encountered were machine guns, which served as backup weapons for the guys in the trenches; my unit did not encounter any unusual trophies.

– What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Kursk group of Russian occupiers? What does this group look like now, after several weeks of fighting?

Oleg Shiryaev : The Russians are bringing up their forces, they have significantly strengthened the troop group. Several brigades of marines are working here, the 810th brigade.

Swede: The weak point is that they have no idea what to do. The strong points are aviation, drones. Right now, their group simply does not understand where we are, because we are constantly moving forward, they do not understand where to catch us. Their condition is not very good.

Chip: Weak because there is no coherence and their command abandoned their fighters and ran away.

– In your opinion, what did our group lack when performing the assigned tasks in the KO in order to maximize its effectiveness?

Swede : Our unit had everything. Our unit fulfills all tasks 100% and even more.

San Sanych : All tasks were completed by our unit 100% and within the set deadlines. If the task had been to enter Kursk or somewhere else, it would have been completed. There was no such task.

Chip : In my opinion, everything was thought out very well. The problems we encountered were solved immediately.

– How would you rate the moral spirit of Russians and their determination to defend their sovereign territory?

Oleg Shiryaev : Their morale is quite high. You can’t underestimate the enemy.

Swede: I can give it a good rating, since the enemy put up resistance. If everything had been that simple, our results would have been better.

– In your personal opinion, what effect could the Kursk operation have in the future ( or already has ) on the entire war?

Oleg Shiryaev : Over the past 400 years, this is one of the most serious attacks on enemy territory by Ukrainian troops since the time of Sahaidachny.

San Sanych : To pull enemy troops away from our territory, to transfer military operations to Russian territory, to create internal tension in society, dissatisfaction with the actions of the authorities, etc.

Chip: In my opinion, this will be a great success and will have an impact on the course of the war that will go down in history.

P.S. Over the past month since the start of the Kursk operation, many critical and pessimistic opinions have arisen in the Ukrainian (and not only) information space regarding the expediency of this event. But, as we see now, there is an effect, and the fighters themselves from the front lines of the Kursk region note the importance and high effectiveness of the operation.

On my own behalf, I would like to note that I was glad to communicate with the fighters of the 225th separate assault battalion, who have already written their names in the history of wars and conflicts as one of the battalions that were the first to set foot on Russian territory after World War II. And thus destroyed the myth of the invincibility and impregnability of the Russian Federation with its ephemeral red lines.

The material was published as part of a joint project between OBOZ.UA and the 
Information Resistance group.