The last battle of the Armavir Special Forces
WEATHER was not. Rain and dense fog, visibility and fifty meters - military "pinwheel" remained confined to concrete Makhachkala airport. Tired of endless missions and combat helicopter Interior Troops rest, enthusiastically steaming nailed together in caring techniques bath, and count the travel, that they will have to pay on his return to his hometown.
Recently about the crew of the helicopter was shot down over Karamahi trying until you remember. To do this, there is another time - after trip.
realizing, that can wait for the weather to infinity, we're going to Khasavyurt road, and from there fly to the edge of Batashyurta - to, which housed part, trimmed Novolak district from militants. However, here, as in the Kadar zone, official victory was achieved, and over the villages and heights, a few days ago is in the hands of insurgents, vengeance waving Russian flags. But the sniper enemy groups still are operating in the overgrown with dense forests Novolakski area mountains.
This was told in a location sheltered us 15th Interior Ministry special forces unit. The very Armavir Special Forces, vague rumors of which survived the defeat down to us two days ago. Really, tents in the order is not in the military not crowded and quiet. The surviving soldiers and officers - those, who went on a fatal height 715,3, and they, who waited departed the base camp, somewhat stunned and depressed the death of so many comrades. But they are not hear complaints and lamentations - officers and ordinary soldiers are always ready to perform a new combat mission.
About, as "it was in fact", we are told of a young lieutenant - the only surviving officer in the group, and broad-chested, Shaved demobilization - gunner.
In the early days of the fighting was in the reserve squad, not performing its inherent function - guarding various facilities in Khasavyurt. Three days of continuous guard and follow them lay on the movement of fighters and commanders of the heavy burden of fatigue. But when Command ordered the combat operation, Special Forces confirmed readiness to complete the task.
On the eve of a general offensive of the federal troops in the district center - village Novolakskoye assault team squad have been secretly go through the enemy order of battle and occupy the high ground 715,3, dominant, not only over the village, but also over the entire surrounding area. height, It is actually the key to the defense of the enemy.
Unfortunately, It said again the lack of understanding of the specifics of the leaders of the operation objectives and combat training of Special Forces. Immutable law of war, especially important it is for special units, reads, that the success of the operation largely depends on the careful exploration and properly organized interaction with the units of fire and air support. meanwhile, hurry to deal a decisive blow, command did not provide guidance on the unit or the time exploration on its own, no wires, no air controllers. At the detachment commander did not even have maps of the area.
morning 9 September detachment consisting of four groups and reconnaissance (little more than 120 bayonets) under the leadership of Major Commander Yuri Yashin (last commander of the famous Vladikavkaz "Berkut") I began the task.
Unnoticed passing positions of militants, detachment of soldiers moved to the purpose of the operation - height 715,3 and… suffered the first loss, sad served as a prelude to the subsequent heavy losses of. On the force fulfilled its own "pinwheel". Within seconds, one fighter was killed, and seven others - wounded. Nevertheless, continuing to move, detachment at six o'clock in the morning took the ridge height, then he came into contact with the enemy. The first battle group was sent to the "Zelenka" to organize a reliable defense, on the steepest hill slope. Here, faced with militants, who prepared the replacement position in case of occurrence of Russian troops. In a brief and fierce battle group commander fell Senior Lieutenant Sergey Bogdanchenko and sergeant-konktraktnik Eugene Likhachev. Adventure discarded hastily left position. The problem posed the command has been executed.
But for a long time remain on positions occupied 15th squad was not able to. At the beginning of the ninth in the morning, barely cook to repel a probable counter special forces got on the radio which seemed to them absurd order: "Leave the height. Immediately depart connection with the main forces!"Later, some of the" warlords ", apologizing for the losses sustained detachment, try to challenge the very existence of such a team, but done is done: the order was issued and confirmed twice. The surviving officers of the detachment categorically deny the possibility of enemy radio games - they are too familiar voice, who gave the fatal command. However, detachment really could keep the height until the main part of the federal troops (this happened in just five days) - just did not have enough ammunition. The question arises: why bother to send commandos had so far behind enemy lines?
Order - the law for the military man. Divided into two groups, squad went on break. Led by the commander of the detachment (two groups and reconnaissance platoon) He collided with the enemy, but suffered a massive blow to our attack aircraft, and then attack helicopters. airmen, who had no idea about the possibility of finding the divisions on foreign territory, conducted attacks deplorable professionalism. Suffering heavy losses (including the commander was seriously wounded), The first group was able nonetheless to 11 organized in September to go along with the wounded in the friendly disposition.
The second group had a lot worse. From the very beginning of its fighters clashed with the enemy with large forces and entered into an unequal battle. Knocking fiercely resisted the enemy, special forces soon ran into a new group of militants. In an effort to break out of fire ring, fighters and commanders split into smaller groups, each of which had their own inroads to the distant front line. The last soldiers left their only 14-15 September. On the way, special forces unit killed several Chechen posts, sniper group and mortar.
While combat groups of the 15th detachment broke their original positions, at the base camp in terrible suspense listened to the radio broadcast, surrounded with experiencing the course of heavy fighting. Finally, could not stand the fact, their comrades bleeds, without receiving any support, 14 soldiers and commanders in the two armored personnel carriers rushed to the rescue. The two "boxes" were shot in cold blood, "the Czechs" ambush. Trying to fulfill a sacred duty to rescue comrades, political officer killed senior lieutenant Alexander Kovalev and Denis Ponomarev, 2 ensign and 8 soldier. The two surviving men were seriously injured.
Tragic outcome operation steel 33 died in the battle soldiers and officers of the 15th Special Forces, yet 78 people were injured. One soldier was missing. More than half of these heavy losses - the fire of the Russian artillery and aviation.
Against the background of defeat looks brighter feat simple soldiers squad, under enemy fire and air strikes which issued on itself all the wounded, not drop their weapons and equipment. None of the soldiers and officers, even left alone, did not have the thought of captivity - Special Forces does not surrender! In the annals of the order, which, we are sure, there will still be colored with numerous successful operations and victorious battles, forever will enter the name of an ordinary gunner Roman Krivolapova, which remained on the battlefield with three seriously wounded comrades and under fire, without any assistance rendered to the location of the three forces. Martial colleagues remember ordinary Valery Feoktistov and Evgeny Kovalev, cover up the heavy waste Fourth Battle Group. Many officers and men - and fallen, and wounded, and well - expressed in a difficult situation courage and heroism, They fulfilled their duty to the end.
It is also encouraging, that despite its losses, squad did not lose heart. Soldiers and commanders believe, that in the new fighting squad will be able to take revenge on the enemy for his military friends.
Decisive battle fighters with front, special forces and more than once will have to be tested for strength. The bitterness of losses and a sober assessment of the mistakes should not remain a dead weight in the memory of the soldiers and commanders. Learn from mistakes, and so dearly bought experience - priceless. And he will be taken into account when preparing for future fights. 15-Detachment of special purpose more than once will be able to demonstrate their proficiency to the enemy and will to win.
I have served