I translated an interview with a Ukrainian tank battalion commander fighting in the South Donetsk/Vuhledar area with some interesting insights. Although this is not specified, i presume that his Battalion is from the 53rd Mechanized Brigade,
as it is the only unit that was in that area at the start of the conflict with a tank battalion. Credit for the interview is @UButusov on Youtube. youtube.com
1/ Start of the war and the battle of Volnovakha: Their positions were shelled by 152mm artillery on the 21st of February to calibrate firing solutions onto their location. Their battalion was deployed to Volnovakha on the evening of the 24th and battles started there.
The enemy had a large numerical advantage, "more than 1:4". The order to retreat came but there were heavy ๐บ๐ฆ casualties, up to 7 tanks and a company commander. He comments on the equipment being ready but training not preparing soldiers mentally for the realities of battle.
He says they also caused the Russians casualties, and captured a Russian tank by shooting near it and the crew abandoned it.
2/ Misc. info about tanks: They have mechanics who have experience in Africa. He says that he wishes that the T-64 was more armored.
2/ Misc. info about tanks: They have mechanics who have experience in Africa. He says that he wishes that the T-64 was more armored.
He says it is slower than the T-72 but it is better on rough terrain and more rapid firing. It also has 3 modes of firing which means even if there is a problem with the auto-loader you will still be able to shoot.
3/ Russian soldier morale: The Russians in the vehicles were not ready for war, and they were untrained "children" of ages 19, 20 and 33. They abandon their vehicles very quickly. Even after very small technical problems, they abandon it straight away.
He says training is very important in tanks, and that 1 well trained tank is better than a company. The Russians have new tanks, 2019, 2020 models but they abandoned them due to poor training.
4/ Battles in the south: He says that the reason the Russians took the south so quickly was because of large numerical and artillery supremacy and that the Ukrainians decided to retreat instead of holding their ground to preserve their forces.
Comments on brutality of Russian tankers killing civilians and destroying property on purpose.
5/ Assault on Velyka Novosilka: A platoon of his tanks was ordered to retake the town captured by the Russians. They had support from artillery, a drone performing recon and a platoon of infantry armed with Javelins and NLAWs.
Their task was to cover the infantry during the assault and then take defensive positions. However he says that urban combat is difficult for tanks because you constantly have to show your sides as you turn corners.
Their opposition in the area was "plenty" of modern Russian tanks including a company of T-90s. He says he lost communication with his fellow tanks during the assault. He says there were about 50 Russians and separatists in the town with vehicles.
He says he destroyed a house with Russians inside and shot a tank rounding the corner in front of him causing an ammunition cook off. They hit a second T-72 as he was trying to flee and deploying "fog"/smoke.
6/ Defense of Velyka Novosilka: The Russians sent columns to recapture the town along a road. Ukrainian sappers placed mines on it and the tanks were ordered not to fire until the first vehicle blew up and to then destroy the last vehicle.
He deployed a tank on each side of the road, and one tank behind him performing indirect fire from 4-5km away. The column was made up of illiterate Kadirovites who could not spell and drew their Zs the wrong way around.
Curiously, the Ukrainians did not aim for the vehicles but the field in front to make the soldiers exit them. He then proceeded to mow them down with NSVT and PKT machine guns while the other 2 tanks destroyed the damaged vehicles.
2 days later they recovered intact vehicles. They captured 4 new separatist tanks, 3 BMP 3s and BTRs. The battalion gave some of these away to other units but are currently effectively employing 3 of the tanks against the Russians.
7/ Role of artillery: He says that they had no vehicle losses put had personnel losses because of artillery. He emphasis that no one who was in a vehicle was hurt. [This is why we need to supply Ukraine with APCs]
He says his unit is currently on the defensive, and they are waiting for more trained personnel, because they cannot train them at the front. He says the Ukrainians know their own land and will kick the Russians out of it.
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