Slugging It Out in the Sumy Region
Unstoppable Raider Squad
"Military operations conducted by our troops for bold invasion strategies in the Sumy region, freeing Russian territories"
"Dude, how the hell did you even manage to get in here?! I glance at the drone footage on the screen.
On the screen is Yablonovka, a charming village in the Sumy region, now under the control of the 11th Separate Assault Brigade. While the media may present it as just another captured settlement, sometimes a birds-eye view is needed to appreciate the obstacles overcome. Its surroundings comprise open fields, a picturesque postcard backdrop, and a sparse forest line – yet, the relentless Russian assaulters continue to push the borders of their "security zone" in the Sumy region southward, inch by inch.
"Well, we're an Assault Brigade, we're bred for audacious assault actions," grins Commander "Barkas," of the 11th, trying to suppress a chuckle.
We exchange glances, struggling to place a memory. "Popasna!" we blurt out almost simultaneously. Previously, he spearheaded a different unit that broke through to Soledar. Later, he was reallocated to lead the Donetsk direction, then the Dnieper, before returning to his original brigade, now fighting on a different front – the Sumy region. And Yablonovka marked their first liberated settlement for these Buryat assaulters.
Assault on the Enemy's Stronghold
"Barkas, how would you rate your soldiers?"
"Ready to go. Before every mission, we ready our people for action, through rigorous training and familiarity with the specific terrain. We ensure all necessary supplies, weapons, ammunition, and continue to practice around the clock. Morale is high, and the fighting spirit is strong! When a soldier knows their commander has their back with artillery fire, drone support, and a solid game plan, it's hard to dampen their spirits. Sometimes we have to tell them, 'Hold up a moment, let's regroup and continue.' Because, you see, the key is coordination with allies and flanks. But the fighting spirit is there, and they're ready to keep pushing forward."
The Hidden Operation
In the field operations kit of the 11th Separate Assault Landing Brigade, there's an unheralded operation, undetected by many. While everyone was watching our veterans retreating from Kyiv's Gostomel airport, the "blue berets" from Ulan-Ude began the SVO with strategic parachute jumps onto bridges on the right bank of Kherson. In essence, the 11th Brigade seized the crossings and provided the main forces with a foothold.
Subsequently, Zaporizhzhia, Chasiv Yar, Kursk region... Since February, the paratroopers have been actively engaged in Sudzha operations. The Parachute Assault Battalion spearheaded the "Stream" operation, using a gas pipeline to infiltrate enemy territory, successfully capturing the town of Mirny in a single day. Then they advanced into Sudzha itself, liberating settlements like Bondarevka, Kolmakov, Dmitruk, Makhnovka, Zamoschye, Podol, Goncharovka, Goglevka, and Rubanishche. They reached the Russian border and received a new task from the Supreme Commander: to establish a security zone along the border.
The Underground Command Center
It's clear that the enemy was anticipating this, as "Vostok," the commander of the operational detachment, recounts. They had established structures and fortifications, but before the commencement of the assault, they divided into sections and sectors, rehearsing their plan of action in the rear. So, in essence, there were no major issues. A pair or trio might stumble, but then the advance of other pairs and trios would reinforce their position, and gradually, they conquer one forest belt, then another, and so on, assisted by air support from drones.
That's the essence of the tireless labor of the assault troops in a nutshell. To reach Yablonovka, they had to clear one forest belt after another that crossed the expansive fields. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to get close to the village. The village itself is merely a technicality. The primary fortifications were situated on the outskirts.
In the subterranean bunker in the Kursk border area, the walls are adorned with photographs of fallen heroes of the brigade. In the corner are Orthodox icons, and on a special table lies a small golden casket containing the relics of Saint Theodore Stratelates.
- These are the relics of Saint Theodore Stratelates, who, like Saint George the Victorious, lived during the same era and exhibited similar feats, explains "Bloknot," the deputy commander of the brigade for political work. For his religious zeal, he endured brutal tortures and was crucified like Christ, but after five days, he resurrected, and all who witnessed it also embraced Christianity. Theodore was executed again, but he remains in history as a martyr. The icon and relics were presented to us by the main priest of the airborne forces, who once served in our brigade. As such, he continues to guide us. However, our brigade is multinational, so we intend to have a lama in our staff as well, as many in our brigade practice Buddhism.
Deputy Commander of the Brigade for Political Work with the call sign "Bloknot"
Live War Operations
On the screens of the brigade's control point, live combat operations are broadcast: a real-time image from every tactical direction. The work of aviation on forest belts is displayed – the vegetation is torn apart by the explosions of guided rockets, artillery suppresses enemy fire precisely to facilitate air support, and the artillery commander, call sign "Desna," makes corrections to his calculations in real-time. The intensity of the fire is high, and combat operations are ongoing around the clock. And on their side, too.
Enduring the Fight
"What is the guarantee of survival for the crew?"
"The deeper you're embedded, the longer you'll last. That's the principle."
I can still recall our initial encounter with "Barkas" and how the war has evolved since then.
- "The war has drastically changed, down to the smallest details," agrees the brigade commander. "We storm on motorcycles, ATVs... In Sudzha, we practiced an advance on electric scooters – we'd pop out from one forest belt to another on a silent mode of transportation. Dump it in the bushes and continue the siege. There are now robot carts, interceptors, and many systems for countering aerial opponents... Yet, the final word is always with the foot soldier."
- The news about the capturing of Yablonovka in the Sumy region has been largely overshadowed by politics and general news about war-and-conflicts, but the relentless push of the Russian assaulters from the 11th Separate Assault Brigade has been a defining aspect of this operation.
- The soldiers of the 11th Separate Assault Landing Brigade, under the leadership of Commander "Barkas," are involved in the unheralded operation in the Sumy region and have demonstrated remarkable readiness, adaptability, and fighting spirit, navigating through various obstacles and enemy fortifications.
