Engineering troops and their equipment in the Special Operations
Military engineer participating in the defense of the crossing across the Seversky Donets
One of the participants in the Special Military Operation is the engineering troops. Their units are entrusted with solving a wide range of tasks to ensure combat work and the security of other branches of the armed forces and structures, as well as providing assistance to the local population. Military engineers neutralize enemy minefields and organize their own barriers, restore roads and crossings, etc. In carrying out all these activities, a variety of models of equipment and weapons are used, both long and well-mastered, and new ones.
Military "Agriculture"
The main engineering novelty in the Special Operation was the "Agriculture" remote mining system. This piece of equipment was created at the end of the last decade, and from 2020-21. regularly participated in exercises and demonstrated at parades. Now he was involved in a real military operation to install full-fledged mine-explosive barriers.
"Agriculture" launches rockets with mines
The use of ISDM "Agriculture" became known at the end of March. It was reported that such equipment is involved in the area of Kharkov, and its task is to create mine-explosive barriers near enemy positions and on their withdrawal routes. A video was also published showing the launch of special rockets. Two launchers fired their entire ammunition into a given area. Where the barriers appeared, and what mines were used in them, was not reported.
Taking into account the peculiarities of the Special Operation and the course of the battles, it can be assumed that this was not the only episode with the participation of the ISDM "Agriculture". A similar technique could be used in other areas where it was necessary to block the movements and constrain the actions of the enemy.
Sappers at work
Recall that the ISDM "Agriculture" is a specialized multiple launch rocket system using a special projectile. 122-mm rockets for it carry mines of various types, deliver them to a distance of 15 km and scatter them in a given area. There are 50 missiles on the launcher. The control system allows you to determine the range of setting, the size of the minefield, density, etc.
alien mines
During the offensive, Russian troops had to face enemy minefields prepared in the past or in recent weeks. Engineer troops must identify such obstacles and make passages for the troops. To solve such problems, there are various means, up to special demining installations UR-77, which destroy the field with an explosion. All of them find application.
Part of the ammunition remains active and dangerous. In addition, the Ukrainian army, retreating, mines various objects, not only military, but also civilian. All these threats are again dealt with by sappers. In accordance with the statutes, they begin work immediately after taking the territory under control. Various technical means and service dogs are used to search for and neutralize explosive devices.
Large open areas of land, such as agricultural land, are cleared using special equipment. The main tool for this purpose is the Uran-6 robotic complex with different types of trawls. At the end of March, it was reported that UR-77 installations were also used in some episodes of humanitarian demining. These types of equipment allow demining remotely and without risks to personnel. At the same time, she repeatedly showed and confirmed her high performance.
Engineer with munitions cleared
New roads
Trying to interfere with the Russian army, the retreating Ukrainian formations create various obstacles and damage the infrastructure. In this case, at the disposal of the engineering troops there are obstruction vehicles, track-layers and other special equipment. With its help, debris is cleared and passages are made.
The enemy also mines and destroys various bridges and overpasses. These measures harm the civilian population, but have almost no effect on the work of our army. The engineering troops have all the necessary means and competencies for the rapid restoration of crossings.
Preparing to Destroy a Dangerous Item
Next to damaged bridges or in other areas, engineering troops deploy pontoon-bridge parks. With their help, the crossing is restored or organized, and the troops continue to move. After taking the territory under control, the pontoon bridge can be used not only by military equipment, but also for the transportation of humanitarian cargo.
The domestic PMP used in the Special Operation includes several river and coastal pontoons-links, as well as tugboats. All park assets are transported by trucks and can be used on any suitable piece of terrain. The crossing takes 30-50 minutes. Links with boats can also be used as ferries.
"Uranium-9" in the field
After taking the territory under control and pushing the enemy back, the engineering troops begin to restore the transport infrastructure. Booby traps are searched for and neutralized at destroyed facilities, and then repairs begin. This frees up PHC and other funds, as well as helping the local population.
In the course of such work, military engineers are faced with opposition from the enemy. Recently, the Ministry of Defense revealed one of these episodes. So, in mid-March, during the battles for the settlement. Izyum engineering unit of the Western Military District deployed PMP on the river. Seversky Donets. The object ended up in the zone of destruction of enemy mortars and was fired upon. For several days, engineers supported the crossing and ensured the movement of troops. Risking their health and lives, they helped liberate the city.
Crossing over the river Seversky Donets, under fire
Important role
Unlike other branches of the military, engineering troops are not engaged in the direct defeat of the enemy. As a result, their work remains in the shadows and does not always receive due attention, and the application of tanksartillery aviation etc. However, the activity of any forces and means on the ground is to some extent connected with the work of the engineering troops.
As part of the Special Operation, our ground forces and aerospace forces, as well as the armies of Donbass, are developing an offensive and taking control of new territories and settlements. Such combat successes directly depend on military engineers - it is they who ensure the overcoming of minefields and water barriers. Engineer troops are constantly present at the forefront and in the rear, performing certain work in the interests of the army and the liberated population.
The pontoon bridge continues to work
The engineering troops are entrusted with a wide range of tasks of various kinds, which is reflected in their structure and equipment. They include units and subunits that specialize in overcoming obstacles and water obstacles, working with mines, road and earthworks, etc. The supply includes old and time-tested materiel, such as PMP, as well as new samples, incl. "Agriculture".
During exercises at various levels, military engineers regularly demonstrated their skills and abilities to perform various tasks. Now the engineering units are involved in a real operation and have already confirmed the ability to work in the most difficult conditions. Often the work is associated with great risks, but engineers cope with it, help comrades from other branches of the military and receive well-deserved rewards.
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