140 center for special operations forces is one of the best parts of the Armed forces of Ukraine. A quality selection of personnel on the basis of the 8th regiment of the army special forces, trips to hot spots abroad in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Censor.NET" already wrote once about the heroism of the fighters 140-th center. The children from the center does not need publicity to it attention of Russian security services, and 140 of the centre during ATO performed special tasks in all areas of the front and deep behind enemy lines. Most of these tasks to tell you. But the staff of the center agreed to help me in the work on the article about the problems of the combat employment of the special forces during the ATO.

"Censor.NO recorded an interview with one of the best commanders of groups of Ukrainian spetsnaz captain Dan Kolesnik. Dan is a very well-educated officer, and his thorough phrases without much editing. He told me about the most difficult fight of 140-th center and held a competent and detailed analysis of this tragic history. That's what the military intelligence service task which performs the special forces, that is the absence of armor, artillery and air support. It so happened that on that day, when I arrived in Kharkov military hospital, Dan brought back one of their fighters, for the life which he desperately fought himself and doctors... This is the first interview of the officer 140-center in the media.

"It happened on July 24. I got the task to search for the enemy in the region of Pervomaisk in the daytime. Accurate intelligence information, we were not provided. In fact, it was reconnaissance. The direct risk of sudden firefight in the area was very large, because the Pervomaisk defended by a large force of the enemy. Nearest our roadblock that kept our comrades of the "omega" were from the us about 12 kilometres. We could not count on artillery support - this was our big minus. I was given a support group in case of contact, and ensure the evacuation - part one BTR-80 and one unarmored trucks "Ural" in the back which was installed DShK machine gun. Given the environment, this structure was inadequate for the task. In fact, the district was required to carry out exploration primarily through aviation and human intelligence. But since the information was not, and this area was planned future operations of our troops, we realized that the task you need to perform those forces that we have identified. In war it is not always possible to do according to the plan, because the time factor is often the key. The risk was great, but it demanded it - if exploration is not held, the other parts could tomorrow to go on the route and get ambushed.

The area was pretty intense movement of the civilian population. However, we were able to move around the "greenery" and to ensure complete secrecy. About 4 kilometers from Pervomaisk, we came to a bridge over the railway crossing. Under the bridge there stood a single van. We noticed that he had no rooms - normal peaceful people is unlikely to drive a car without numbers. The bridge was adjacent forest, there was a convenient transportation. It was the best place for equipment reference point for the organization of roadblock or ambush the enemy. It seemed that the enemy should be here, and yet no signs we could not detect. If we had a drone? If we were drones, space exploration, aviation intelligence, signals intelligence, human intelligence, we would not go, and where many still did not go. But there is a war, and we must solve problems of those forces that are at our disposal. Across the bridge, there was a movement of civil transport. Around suspicious van - no movement. It was clear that the owners are somewhere in the forest, and wished they had struck. Occasionally some cars drove into the forest. Approaches to the bridge were open, and when you advance to mikroavtobus we could find. We watched the setting more than one and a half hours. Without change, all was quiet. I decided to move forward because our group was required to accomplish his mission and to detect the enemy. We approached the van. He was empty. But inside we found the armor of the Russian production, skipping "DND" and nine portable anti-aircraft missile systems. They were terrorists, and leave the minibus was impossible. I decided to wait for the owners of the machine. We spread out my group around the van, and the group cover was for us in plantations. The armed group were from us a few miles. I didn't plan to use them for combat, only for evacuation. So in the back of the "Ural" I planted four of our soldiers - two experienced and two reservists who only arrived at the front and had to gradually enter in combat conditions. I gave the order to move out to me for help even if the fight is only on my command.
After another hour and a half to the van still no one came. Signs of enemy activity was observed. Passed by us two people and traveled machine, but our group, which was 10 meters away from them, they are not found. I thought that it was time to take the car and leave the danger zone. And in that moment everything began to develop rapidly.

From Pervomaisk under the bridge drove the car convoy of two cars "Lada", then two buses "GROOVE" minibus "Gazel", and jeep. We lay around and spread out. They stopped us in 15 metres, and from there began to unload the armed terrorists in the form of "DND" and "St. George ribbon". They were well equipped. We have seen that each van and car were fully occupied by armed men - there were no less than 70-80 people. One of them came from the advanced machines and weapons ready headed for the van. He had to see us through the moment. It was the whole unit. As soon as they stopped and started to unload, it has become clear that we will discover in the next second, because we were in the open, without shelter. The enemy was also in a bad tactical situation - they stood on the road and unloaded from the cars, and in each bus were open only one door, but two minutes later they would have unloaded, spread out, and then in a disadvantageous situation we would be - we had much less. I had one solution is to fight, to suppress resistance and to break away from the enemy.
I gave the command, and two of our group opened fire at point blank range. We have set out goals and hid all the buses. Armour-piercing incendiary bullet with this distance was machine sewn through. The enemy was stunned, they were shooting back, but unorganized, they only managed to get out on the road, and extinguished one by one. We beat sighting, single, threw grenades, worked as Bogami, RPG. I shot three full store. Our group cover on the flank actively supported us by the fire. The distance was a pistol in sight was visible to the eye. After 10 minutes it was all over. All the cars were burning, they were exploding ammunition, ammo, something whistled over his head, but aimed fire at us news was no one left. Most of the terrorists remained in the bus, those who managed to escape, to escape failed. However, from the forest, which drove the machine began to move new group of armed men - obviously, here at the edge was the real purpose of the base camp of the terrorists. And they began to move to the place of battle. We were supported by the group cover, and we started a quick break with virtually no interference. We had no losses. But when we went to the nearest forest plantations have been irreparable.

For some unknown reasons, has failed our distant radio, and I couldn't tell about the situation. It may have been interference, the problem is probably, unfortunately, the problem is far closed digital radio at that time our army was not resolved. As a result, the commander of the support group had no contact and could not get my team to be nominated. But he distinctly heard the sounds of battle and assumed that we were in a difficult situation. He decided to go to our help and support in the evacuation from the battlefield. It was absolutely the right decision, given the failure of communication, but... In the war, not everything goes according to plan. The support group has put forward, and we could not inform that we are no longer there on the battlefield. When they went to the bridge after about 20 minutes, they were met by heavy fire large forces of the enemy, who came from the forest base. We were from they are 900 metres away, and we began to fire the mortar. And heavy machine guns, anti-tank grenade launchers opened fire on the group.

The guys took the fight and answered from all trunks - they began to retreat only if satisfied that our group was no longer in the place of the fight, and continued aiming to hit pillboxes enemy. Most damage to our fighters struck a group of snipers, which moved onto the bridge and took the position that holds over terrain. Head APC has suffered a massive fire three wheels were torn to shreds, repeatedly shot through the body. Surprisingly, the crew was not injured. Operator-gunner was saved by a miracle - armor-piercing bullet broke triplex, in which he was looking, he bent over, dropped his head, and at this point in the tower flew grenade from an RPG, and cumulative jet burned tower through. But unarmored "Ural" received much more. There were also shot all the wheels, and the whole machine was just riddled. It exploded and has not stopped only by miracle. One of the cylinders was broken by a bullet 12.7 mm, the officer, who was driving, drove her starter, and the cabin was like a sieve, but it does not hurt. But the guys in the back...

We met our exhaust machine. They were barely crawling. I climbed in the back - he was covered in blood. All four of my comrades were seriously injured. We started first aid and evacuation of wounded comrades. Unfortunately, quickly take them to the checkpoint failed. Due to the punctures engine BTR overheated and he stalled, "URAL" is also completely out of order, and to our roadblock remained ten kilometers. Our sister of the "omega" has sent to us a minibus with some desperate volunteers who worked on the front line. I think when we win the war, each military unit will have to put a monument to its volunteers - without the help of the people to fight it would be simply impossible. I'm sorry that I don't know what's the name of these wonderful brave people - I hope they will read and will get in touch. There was a female medic. The wounded were required immediate surgery is needed to deliver them to the nearest hospital. Unfortunately, the nearest hospital, where they could save, was in Kharkov, anything closer was not. No resuscitation helicopter or ambulance was not around. But even an ordinary helicopter we send failed, was not ready to take off. We got in touch directly with a helicopter and was that close to us passed on to another job, one of the crew. As soon as they learned that we're in trouble, the pilots instantly flew to us. They sat down on the block. And we waited until we drive the car.

I have a good medical training, and the day before I went in Kiev training program "boxer rescue" and received from volunteers modern kits for the Department. I have applied all their knowledge to save lives. All four were wounded in the chest - snipers bullet struck a light, and was wounded in the head and other parts of the phone the day Before on the issue of first aid kits instructor told me - that you set one decompression needle, it is unlikely you in the group in one battle will be a lot of fighters with this type of injury, but it turned out that it just happened... First of all it is necessary to detect signs of who should be helped first. For this you should pay attention to the lips and oral cavity, eyes. Two guys eyes darkened and swollen - signs of brain damage. They died almost immediately - it was impossible to help. One of the wounded helped - he was sitting, was conscious, and was not, at first glance, in critical condition. Blood quickly stopped, talked to him. I focused on the second - it was very heavy. Stuck my finger in the input hole on his chest, pneumothorax. Light is broken, the breath is blocked - introduced the needle, breathing recovered. Stopped the blood, stabilized. Arrived volunteers, the wounded were loaded into the car, was taken to the helicopter lifted off. Already when I was flying in a helicopter because of the pressure drop occurred shock, cardiac arrest. Was pumped for 10 minutes - heart massage, artificial respiration. Launched manually stabilized. We kept it for 4 hours - it was a continuous operation. His hands trembled... And here in Kharkov arrived. We reported that carrying two wounded, but we just sent one ambulance. Then came the second. The most seriously wounded men were taken to the hospital, we sighed. Our other friend sat in the helicopter, we made it planted. But when we arrived the ambulance and behind him, he suddenly... fell. Died. Was the bullet pierced his shoulder, changed the trajectory of brushed light spine. A small entrance hole, and the inside is in trouble. There was an internal hemorrhage. All this time while we were flying, the officer was bleeding. He was terribly hurt by the nature of the injury, but he saw, as we pumped another soldier, and brave, did not utter a sound. He could not run the heart - blood of almost all emerged... In the field to him nothing could help. When we arrived at the hospital, we were told - was killed and the one that we worked so hard to deliver. The main reason is also huge blood loss.

In this battle fell the death of the brave magnificent warriors - Vasily Kobernik, Taras Yakimchuk, Andrew Shepherd, Vladimir Cherkasov. I want their loved ones to know about their exploits, that they died the death of heroes, and the enemy paid dearly for their death.

Analyzing this battle episode, I think that the use of spetsnaz units, designed for operations in the deep rear of the enemy, as a military intelligence front edge of the enemy's defense is indefensible. Such operations should be undertaken only with the conduct of human intelligence, provided the support of armored vehicles and artillery, able to work immediately upon application. We need to fight fire and maneuver, so that there are more professionalism and less necessary to sacrifice themselves. This requires planning of combat operations. Unfortunately, our unit was attracted to other non-core operations - for example, us Department special operations, one set of counter-intelligence tasks in the middle rear. The most acute problem is the lack of attention to the organization of the evacuation of the wounded, the lack of advanced field hospitals, the lack of helicopters for rapid evacuation, no resuscitation ambulances in the combat formations of parts. If our wounded were on the operating table after 4.5 hours, and within hours, they would have survived.

I say to you, because we want from our mistakes were made findings to planning errors were corrected and were correctly identified priorities in training, purchase equipment, and technology. War may not be lossless, but the final results require analysis and serious analysis.
It should be noted that operations of this kind, which was prepared by our division, for all the war we suffered no combat losses. All of our deadweight losses came on July 24. It was the hardest fight of 140-th center special operations forces".
But it was not the most difficult fight of 140-th center. October 26 during operation breakthrough environment around 32-th checkpoint in battle with a detachment of the Russian mercenary captain Dan Kolesnik died a heroic death. He died as a hero.
They again had to go in the afternoon. Without pronography. Without artillery. She were unable to work - under the terms of the truce. Dan is a man of honor, and he could not refuse the task, though he knew perfectly well huge risk. It was necessary to save his friends - and it is Holy. He was always ready to go ahead, because they thought that the commander should be an example for the soldiers. The guys from 140 th wept over his body... The Dana family - wife and two young sons...

I don't have time to coordinate this interview with Dan. And if he was with us, did not disclose his name. But I decided to write it as it is. Close to the hero knew how he fought, that the children were proud father, so that all knew what a huge contribution made 25-year-old special forces officer in defense of Ukraine. I want Dan was presented the highest award, which he without a doubt decent. The time will come and we will talk more about this wonderful and worthy citizen of Ukraine. Thoughts and comments Given I use in the article about the problems of the combat employment of special forces in the war with Russia and in other works. These photo Dan sent me a week before his last fight - here he is with his boys from the 140-th center. And I have photo Dan - here he is very young; when I spoke with him, I thought he was much older...

It was a real man and highly professional in his field.
Head of special operations of the General staff Sergey Krivonos said about Dan:
"Dan was my student at the military Academy, under my leadership, he was preparing a thesis. It was one of the best students I ever seen. Organized, able-bodied, able to think analytically and to make their own original solutions. A born warrior who, despite his age, during the war acquired a well-deserved reputation in the special units. Eternal memory. This officer, which our country should be proud".
Thank You, Dan...

Yury Butusov
Source: http://censor.net.ua/