How appeared the 79th Nikolaev separate airmobile brigade? What was its function originally? What is she doing now? For some, 79 airborne brigades are heroes, for others, punishers destroying their people.
History of creation
In 1979, the command of the Soviet Army decided to create airborne light infantry. These were supposed to be airborne assault regiments and brigades. The solution was found quickly. One of the main bases was the reconnaissance and airborne assault battalion of the 111th airborne regiment, which is part of the Odessa military district in the city of Nikolaev. Then a separate 40th brigade was formed (air assault, and after 1990, the airborne assault).
Soon after the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine announced its desire to secede and became an independent state. Accordingly, 79 airmobile brigade (Nikolaev) passed under the jurisdiction of the newly formed country. A few years later, in the late 90s, the regiment was renamed. Now it was called the seventy-ninth separate airmobile regiment. It was an analogue of the Soviet assault troops.
Achievement list
The seventy-ninth regiment managed to excel in many peacekeeping operations. Military personnel performed their duty in Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Slovenia, Macedonia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Iraq. With the participation of the 79th brigade, several international exercises were held. I must say that the Ukrainian military then established itself only on the positive side.
In July 2007, an experimental 79 separate airmobile brigade was formed on the basis of this regiment, additionally strengthened by a separate helicopter regiment.
Operations in Ukraine
The result of the well-known Euromaidan was an armed coup and seizure of power. Calls for the persecution of those who did not speak Ukrainian were sounded more and more actively. Particular aggression was manifested in relation to the Russian-speaking population living in eastern Ukraine. The new government ignored public meetings and numerous rallies against the ban on the Russian language. Moreover, the pressure intensified, including with the support of the media.
The decision to hold a referendum was supported by most residents. It took place on May 11, 2014. About 90% of the population voted for federalization. Two people's republics were proclaimed - Lugansk (LPR) and Donetsk (DPR). Of course, Kiev did not recognize the referendum. Moreover, the DPR and LPR were declared terrorist organizations. Almost a month later, Turchinov, acting president, announced the so-called ATO. In fact, this was the beginning of a punitive operation.
Among the forces abandoned for mopping up was 79 airmobile brigade. She acted in the territory of the DPR from May 18, 2014. In June, the brigade took part in the battles against the people's militia for the Saur grave.
Southern Cauldron
Armed clashes gained momentum. There were heavy, bloody battles between the Donbass militia and parts of the Ukrainian army. Saur-Mogila was of particular strategic importance, as it towered above the steppe spaces adjacent to it. In addition, the mound would allow controlling a fairly large part of the border between Russia and Ukraine. Altitude was a point giving full control over the supply of the southern group.
By June 5, the fighting moved to the Marinovka district (customs station, south side of the hill). Three days later, armed formations entrenched to the north, in Snezhnoye. On June 12, 2014, 79 airmobile Nikolaev brigade was attacked by fourteen militiamen of the DPR, who were armed with only AK-47 and only one AGS-17. The people's militia desperately defended their land. 79 the airmobile brigade at that time had manpower on the armor of fifteen armored personnel carriers, eight Hamers, support for two helicopters, an SU-27 aircraft, and active artillery. Losses of both parties were not officially indicated.
The Ukrainian security forces launched a new assault on the heights on July 2, and on July 3, A. Parubiy (NSDC secretary) announced that the stronghold of the "terrorists" had been destroyed. However, on July 6, a new assault on the "occupied" height took place. This time by the forces of another Ukrainian battalion "Azov". The defenders held back the mound, again repulsing a fierce attack. Azov, on the other hand, lost about 80% of the squad and moved to the rear for reformation. Igor Mosiychuk, who is the deputy commander of the battalion, denied the information that the battalion was defeated.
Five days later, a press conference was held at which Igor Strelkov, commander of the militia army, announced that the rebel detachment created on the basis of the "East" was defending the Saur-Mogily and Snezhnoy areas.
By mid-July, the five-thousandth grouping of the Ukrainian army, which included the Shakhtersk battalion, part of the Azov, mechanized 24th brigade, 72 and 79 airmobile brigades, ended up in the Southern Cauldron. The militants were blocked by the militia. In just two weeks, the Kiev army lost more than 1,200 fighters, including officers, more than 3,000 people were injured, a lot of heavy and light armored vehicles were destroyed, 2 SU-25 aircraft were shot down. And these are only approximate figures.
Partial liquidation
Since June 2014, the 79th airmobile brigade conscientiously complied with the government’s order, fighting for Saur-Mogila. In July, having fallen into the Southern Kotel, it was partially eliminated. The remains of the brigade came under rocket fire on July 11. About 20% of the military remained alive. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian media on all channels broadcast brilliant victories in the Donbass. On June 6, the DPR press center made a message stating that an air strike by Ukrainian aviation was inflicted on the remains of the brigade. For what purpose the few survivors were destroyed, it remains to guess. The very next day, the command of the AEMBR handed over to the militia of the Osa air defense missile system, Grad MLRS and heavy equipment (about 70 units, including tanks). In fact, it was a rejection of further submission to Kiev.
Ukrainian media are authorized to declare ...
On August 9, the leading Ukrainian TV channels (TSN in particular) publicly announced the return of all personnel to the place of deployment. Meanwhile, the commander of the other Dnepr-1 battalion, Parasyuk, complained of a significant suppression of the losses of forces of the Ukrainian army. On the air of another Ukrainian channel "112 Ukraine", he complained that "Ukrainians were fooled by their heads."