Our special correspondent reports from Donbass
Military intelligence officers are a specialty. Their faces do not fall into the lenses of TV cameras, and the stories of feats are “withstood” by time. My acquaintance with a serviceman of one of the Russian intelligence units with the call sign “Krakow” happened in Donbass.
His consent to a conversation, even with all the restrictions, came as a surprise to me. The face of the interlocutor, as expected, is hidden by a balaclava. Photo and video shooting under the strictest ban.
Russian intelligence agent at the liberated nationalist base near Krasny Liman. Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Defense
According to the serviceman, he joined the Armed Forces five years ago. At first, however, I wanted to serve in foreign intelligence.
– A childhood dream, – the interlocutor laughs, – from films about Stirlitz.
Then life itself put everything in its place, the young man signed a contract to serve in military intelligence. To participate in a special operation, he was sent to one of the units. About the details – what, where specifically – of course, not a word.
– Initially, I didn’t even imagine where I would end up. I took my combat equipment and headed to another city.
Already on the spot, the scout found out where and why they were going to go: “There is an order – it’s necessary, then it’s necessary.”
– When we stopped in, it was a little unusual. I could not believe at first that everything was for real, – the military admits. – It seems that the convoy is going and going. We almost reached Kyiv itself. And when the first shelling and the first casualties began, everything fell into place in my head.
Then the deployment changed.
– Ukrainian soldiers were well trained, it is clear that they were trained by foreign instructors . In the positions taken, we often found foreign equipment and weapons. Even the banal dry rations they had at the beginning of the special operation were purely English.
Now, apparently, Ukraine has concluded an agreement with the UK. The packages no longer have the British flag, but it is written that it was made in Great Britain, but the flag is already Ukrainian and the inscription – “Glory to Ukraine”. They also found Korean dry rations. Equipment and anti-tank weapons are mostly American. What can I say, they are sponsored in abundance.
If we evaluate Ukrainian soldiers precisely as warriors, then, in my opinion, they are not very good. Their artillery is strong, but again, this is not a man's thinking. Our servicemen correct the fire themselves, and on their tablet the program shows a point and prescribes where and how to hit. They are afraid to engage in direct combat with us and retreat. As far as we have already passed, Ukrainian troops are sitting in almost every forest belt, and they flee from each as soon as there is a risk of direct contact.
– Units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – “Veseushniks” – usually based at the end of the landing, and observers sit at the beginning. As a rule, from among the mobilized. Roughly speaking – civilians with weapons in their hands. They were driven in and no longer allowed to retreat. Those who manage to surrender admit that from the very beginning they wanted to voluntarily lay down their arms. But they are not allowed to do so. They threaten death or reprisal against the family…
The intelligence officer also had to meet with foreign mercenaries fighting on the side of Ukraine. According to him, the difference is felt immediately. From equipment to professional skills.
– Foreigners have different tactics of warfare. Unlike simple “Veseushnikov”, who often get lost during the battle and do not understand how to act, these people are prepared. In case of contact, they immediately deploy in battle formation and act competently.
Several times, according to the interlocutor, we had to deal with enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
– Since they do not find us , and we have them – yes, it means that they have less professionalism, – the military man smiles not without pride.
– We must pay tribute to the military personnel with whom I had to deal with here – and we interacted not only with intelligence, but also with other units. The army is strong, people are persistent. But there are situations that affect the picture as a whole. Not everything can be predicted and planned. Sometimes even the terrain affects the speed of advancement. Need time, preparation.
If we talk specifically about intelligence, although we try to be ahead all the time, we are all people. Sometimes you need to rest and heal. Because of this, there are some changes in the composition of the group, or the groups themselves change. This means that the deadlines for completing the task may increase slightly. Well, and of course, we should not discount the fact that the settlements that we liberate are not a village of three streets.
– It seems to me that I am still learning. And I'm not the only one with this feeling. I had a chance to communicate with an officer from another unit who said: “I have eight years of fighting behind me, but even I study here.” No fight is the same.
According to the scout, the enemy uses a lot of prohibited weapons and rather vile tricks. “Gentleman's War” comes only from one side – from the Russian side.
– Personally, mortars, large-caliber artillery, hailstones, shrapnel, phosphorus have worked for me and for my guys more than once. It got to the point that they are just throwing grenades at us from quadcopters.
– Personally, I have never heard anything bad, although I know different stories. We try to help people with food, cigarettes. From many we hear words of gratitude. People just say, “Thank you for coming.”
Case one was very indicative, crashed into memory. We went into one settlement, and in the building in the basement, people were washing things. When we got down, they moved away from the basins, stood facing the wall, feet shoulder-width apart, arms raised. We passed by, and then one of the women says: “Thank you for not hitting us.” Later it turned out that people initially did not understand what kind of military men came and thought that they were the National Battalion, who, according to the stories of the villagers, did not disdain to engage in assault.
– A lot of things, – the interlocutor answers after a short pause. – It seems to me, first of all – culture and politeness. We even have a motto: “Be polite even with the enemy.” Of course, good physical skills. We have to walk a lot, run, jump, shoot.
According to Krakow, a scout is not born, but made. In his opinion, everything can be learned, there would be a desire.
– I go in the head patrol, we have the greatest responsibility. We must see everything that is happening around, as they say, 360 degrees, so as not to miss the enemy, stretch marks, mines. Plus, choose the most convenient route so that the personnel following us can advance.
– I will tell my children and grandchildren that I served as a clerk at the headquarters, – the scout laughs. – And I will remember, perhaps, the support and support that we have become for each other here. The trip showed who is who. Who is ready and who is not.
I will remember the comrades whom we lost forever, and those who were seriously injured and will no longer be in service. Their families are now our families, and we are responsible for them.
When my commander was wounded, I saw him fall, I was very scared. No, not for myself. Just for him. And when the group and I had already pulled him out of there, it turned out that he was still alive. I was very happy. Now, at least the connection with the “big world” happens infrequently, we try to call his family whenever possible and find out how his condition is.
And there is so much to tell, but you can’t, you yourself understand …
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