Debaltsevsky boiler became the third major, in fact - the decisive boiler APU. As a result of the hostilities of the army of the DPR and the LPR, the protrusion between Gorlovka and Komissarovka was cut off. On this ledge, the Ukrainian troops were preparing an offensive to dismember the republics, and from the same bulge they fired at the territories of the LC and the DPR.
Debaltsevo is one of the largest railway hubs of the former Ukraine, which, in particular, provides communication between the new republics. The strategic location of Debaltseve is obvious - one has only to look at the map.
And one more factor. By winter, the Ukrainian troops came to their senses after the defeat at Ilovaisk. They woke up so much that they decided to “score” on the Minsk agreements concluded after the Ilovaisk boiler.
Where the APU encountered at least an equal opponent, they suffered epic losses throughout the war. Ukrainians kicked out of the Crimea almost kicks. Under the Metalworker, militia members who were dispersed and stripped with almost one rifle weapons crushed the battalion "Aydar" and came to the aid of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Under Izvarino and Ilovaiskaya, the Ukrainians were already crumbled on an industrial scale - except for those who ran to the rear for "rearmament." Lugansk and Donetsk airports, symbols of Ukrainian propaganda, are seized by the militia.
Debaltseve hold for Ukrainians was a crucial moment. Who had to rehabilitate the Ukrainian army and command in the eyes of the public.
Part of our division participated in the Debaltsevskoy operation in the infantry. We passed all Debaltseve, including the final assault on the height. Much of what is said here is seen with my own eyes.
Significant factor. Under Izvarino and under Ilovaisk, the VSN acted defensively, and under Debaltseve they launched an offensive. The leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine simply had to show that their army is capable of acting at least in defense.
Plus - the Ukrainian leadership needed revenge. Therefore, having gained strength, the Ukrainians forgot Minsk-1, which allowed them not to lose the army at all, and as a provocation they turned to massive shelling of the civilian population. Provocation gave the result.
The generally accepted start date of the active phase is 22,01,2015. At this point, the number of groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to various sources, ranged from 5 to 8 thousand people. Located in pre-prepared and equipped fortified areas, armed with a large number of artillery and armored vehicles, and supplied with a very large number of ammunition and food.
Local residents claimed that several units of foreign mercenaries were fighting against us, besides the Ukrainians. This seems to be true - the general style of the war of Ukrainians was too different from the style of war of some units.
From the Ukrainian side, according to official figures, the defense was held: 1 separate tank brigade, 30th guards separate mechanized brigade, tactical group of 17 tank brigades, 128 separate mountain infantry brigade, 25 Dnepropetrovsk airborne brigade, battalions Chernihiv, Kievan Rus, Rukh Opor, battalion PPS ON Kiev-2 ”,“ Krivbass ”, NSU, the battalion“ Donbass ”, the battalion named“ Kulchitsky ”, OMON, the company of the Ministry of Internal Affairs“ Svityaz ”, as well as the battalion named after Jorakh Dudaev. And, of course, the regular Ukrainian Armed Forces detachment - PS.
For armored vehicles, heavy weapons, ammunition and ammunition, the Ukrainians had a full unlimited.
On the part of the LC and the DPR, the AK of the DPR, the Kalmius brigade, the NM of the LC, the Ghost brigade, the Don Cossacks and the Cossack National Guard participated in the assault.
I can not say how it was in the DNI, we went infantry almost all. There was only one problem - in our division volunteers turned out to be significantly more than the vacancies announced from headquarters. Therefore, officers, soldiers and sergeants were selected mainly those who fought from the very beginning.
VSN Ukrainians voluntarily or unwittingly helped. The British newspaper "Sunday Times" noted the extremely low moral level of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the fact that Ukrainians from an average of 6 died from 10 from the "friendly fire" of Ukrainians (this is when they shoot at their own) among Ukrainians.
Course of events. Meat grinder began 22,01,2015, what is happening quickly turned into a large-scale operation with tanks, artillery and MLRS. Further, the assessment of events diverges - everyone, except Ukrainians, saw the formed pot. UkrSMI to the beginning of February cheerfully reported that they repulsed the enemy's attack, but at the same time somehow lost several settlements.
By the beginning of February, there was a lull at the front, during which more than 5000 civilians were withdrawn.
February 5 republic forces after 10-day battles took control of Uglegorsk. This was the turning point of the operation.
7 February APU lost the village Redkodub, 9 February - released from Ukrainians Logvinovo. Through the village passes the highway M103 Artyomovsk - Debaltsevo, which supplied the Ukrainians.
10 February trail blocked. So the boiler slammed shut. For all but the command of the APU. February 11 optimistic Minister of Defense of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said that there is no boiler, the supply and control of troops are carried out without interference.
In reality, the BCH faced an enemy blocked in well-prepared fortified areas.
Dugouts from the Ukrainians were good. We spent the night in one of them and had the opportunity to take a closer look. In addition to the 3-4 layers of concrete floors, there was a relaxation zone in the dugout.
There were patriotic children's drawings, as well as a bulbulator with a package of hemp, and pornographic magazines with wipes for hands. It was immediately obvious that the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine tried to take into account even the intellectual needs of subordinates.
February 12. VSU from both sides tried to attack Logvinovo, but were repulsed. In general, everything became clear, and 11-12 of February concluded new Minsk agreements, according to which the Ukrainians were allowed to get out of February for good health with 0-00 15 of February.
14 February APU, taking advantage of a truce, blow up in Debalcevo railway tracks and infrastructure facilities. The retreat begins, but the stripping continues with battles.
February 17 most of Debaltseve comes under the control of the LC-DNI, more than 100 Ukrainian military are captured.
We saw prisoners who in the 20-degree frost came out to surrender, their legs were wrapped in rags, newspapers and magazines, and all this was tied up with bandages. According to the Ukrainians, the officers fled at night and stole the soldiers from the soldiers so that the soldiers "did not retreat."
By February 18 all Ukrainians were expelled from Debaltseve.
About the results. According to the BCH, the Ukrainians in the boiler lost up to 3000 people. There are really a lot of trophies from the APU. Helmets, bulletproof vests, bushes, binoculars, sleeping bags and crackers were found in full dugouts. The artillerymen are grateful to the Ukrainians for the guns and the RSZO, the tankers for the captured tanks, the infantry for the BTR, BMP, BRDM and trucks. Ammunition took railroad trains.
Predictably, the parties differed sharply in the assessment of events. An anonymous sober of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, chronically located in the "blue" sector of Nirvana, did not see the boiler from there at all. Some sofa ukroSMI enthusiastically wrote about the victory of Ukrainians in Debaltseve.
February 20 Assistant Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuri Biryukov said that the Ukrainian military killed 179 in the battles in the area of Debaltsev. All the rest, according to the Ukrainian tradition, were recorded as “missing”.
The value of the Debaltsev operation is hard to overestimate. VSN showed that they can win the Ukrainians not only in defense, but also in the offensive. As a result, the boiler was released key transport hub Debaltsevo and established a new line of demarcation. And, of course, the BCH supplemented with a large number of captured equipment and ammunition.
There is a rule of civil war, bred by the Americans, who are so fond of Ukrainians: "If the separatists persevered against the central government for more than 2 months, you need to negotiate with them." In the month of 2, people, equipment, resources are pulled up, diplomatic efforts are included, and the central authorities will not be able to solve the problem with a rash or a zerg rush.
The Debaltsevskiy boiler became the next and most striking proof of this thesis in the civil war in Ukraine.
I almost forgot. October 14 - 2 anniversary of the appointment of Stepan Poltorak, "Baron Debaltsevskiy" to the post of Minister of Defense of Ukraine. I would like to congratulate Stepan Timofeevich and wish him to command the APU further, as he commanded under Debaltseve. And supply the BCH with ammunition and equipment in the same way.
Vatnik. Debalcevo: the decisive boiler of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Vatnik. Debalcevo: the decisive boiler of the Ukrainian Armed Forces
- Author:
- Sergey Vasilevsky