[IC] Flames on the Dnieper

General Major Dmitri Mishenko commander of the 53rd Mechanized Brigade issued his Brigade’s operations order to battalion commanders of his brigade. The operations order was presented by Major Anton Grigorievich, the operations order, but it was approved by the commander. Present in the briefing room were the battalion commanders, their battalion’s operations officer and executive officers as well as liaison officers, drivers and additional assistants from each battalion and the brigade.

“Gentlemen, it is important that you attack these positions with violence of effort. You must not allow the enemy one second of respite. Insure you coordinate with the units on your left and right in order to maintain a cohesive front. Colonel Timoshenko, assign someone on your staff to coordinate with the 54th Brigade attacking into Taras Shevshenko Railyard to your north. We do not need to commit fratricide on our brothers attacking into the heart of the city. My staff is preparing a contingency operation in case we have to attack further north; if the 54th does not succeed. Are there any questions?”

OPORD 53BDE

Operations Order 53rd Brigade - Smila Ukraine
General Major Dmitri Mishenko commands the 53rd Mechanized Brigade

Task Organization
I./34th Motorized Infantry (-)
No. 1 Company
No. 2 Company
No. 3 Company

II./34th Motorized Infantry
No. 1 Company
No. 2 Company
No. 3 Company
No. 4 Company (Tank)

I./37th Tank (+)
No. 1 Company (Tank)
No. 2 Company (Tank)
No. 3 Company (Tank)
No. 4 Company (Infantry)

Sokol Group Motorized Infantry
No. 1 Company
No. 2 Company
No. 3 Company
No. 5 Company, I./34th Motorized Infantry (Tank)
1st AT platoon, I./34th Infantry

Bde Control
No. 4 Company, I./34th Motorized Infantry (Czech Mercenaries)
2nd AT platoon, I./34th Infantry (Attached to 4/I./34th Infantry)
1st Battalion, 198th FA Battalion (152mm D30 Towed Howitzers)
15th Aviation Battalion, Mi-24D & Mi-8 Gunships will be operating in our area on both sides
of the operation.

I. SITUATION.

Enemy Forces. The 24th Mechanized Brigade, 3rd Ukrainian Division (ORANGE) is defending the primary rail hub at Smila, Ukraine. They are aware of the importance of their rail line at this city, which connects with their primary army headquarters to the Northwest. The Brigade consists of three mechanized infantry battalions (BMP-2), a tank battalion and an artillery battalion containing 2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm SP Howitzers.

1. SALUTE. In our sector of the city, the 3rd Battalion, 274th Mechanized Infantry (Orange) is defending west and north of the Tiasmyn River. The battalion consists of three mechanized infantry companies deployed in the built-up areas near the river and two tank companies: one to the north near the outskirts of Smila and one to the west. Expect the enemy to employ obstacles on the near side of the river in an attempt to canalize our movement.

2. DRAW-D Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw - Delay. The enemy will defend the southern approaches into Smila in order to prevent Blue forces from reaching the heart of the city. If we place substantial pressure upon the enemy, they may withdraw to the southern reaches of the city and could possibly be reinforces from the Brigade Reserves, three tank companies (T72) currently located in the western end of the city. We anticipate enemy Mi-24 and Mi-8 gunships in our area of operations.

A. Friendly Forces. Operational Command East, commanded by Colonel General Yurij Chernenko commands three division sized organizations, each with four or five brigade sized units. The 1st Division operates in the northern sector east of Kiev. The 5th Division operates in the southern sector west of Kirovohrad Oblast. The 3rd Division operates in the center, east and south of Smila. The 3rd Division is composed of five brigades including the 17th tank Brigade, 53rd motorized brigade, 54th mechanized brigade, 92nd Mechanized brigade, and the 93rd Mechanized brigade. The 17th Tank is composed of three tank battalions, a mech battalion and a motorized battalion, Each of the remaining four brigades consists of a variety of mechanized and motorized infantry battalions and at least one tank battalion. The 55th Artillery brigade is composed of three battalions of towed 152mm howitzers and a battalion of 100mm towed howitzers.

1. Higher Unit Mission. The 3rd Infantry Division (BLUE) attacks Smila in order to seize the Taras Shevshenko Railyard which will enable the Division for follow on missions along the rail line to the north west.

2. Adjacent Unit Missions. North: The 54th Infantry Brigade (Division Main Effort) attacks in the center along the rail line across the Tiasmyn River in order to seize the Taras Shevshenko Railyard.

3. West: The 17th Tank Brigade crosses the Tiasmyn River south of our Assembly areas and attacks north along a parallel attack route in order to deny the enemy from reinforcing their Brigade from the west and to prevent enemy forces from escaping to the west.

4. Supporting Unit Missions. 15th Aviation Battalion will provide Close Air Support in the Smila sector. Calls for Attack helicopters in our sector must be approved by the Brigade Commander.

5. The 55th Artillery Brigade will provide a preparatory fire on the built up area in front of the division. The Brigade artillery battalions, including the the division has four battalions of artillery in its independent artillery brigade along with another five battalions, one in each of the five maneuver brigades making a combined total of nine artillery battalions. The Division will mass its artillery to fire a massive artillery preparatory fire along the western edge of the Tiasmyn River for 20 minute prior to the attacks by the 53rd Mech in the south and the 92nd Brigade in the north. They will continue their concentrated barrage in and around the 54th brigade’s objective, the rail yard in the center of the city for an additional 20 minutes. Once the three leading infantry brigades commence their attack along the eastern edge of Smila, the 55th Artillery brigade will cease fire and provide opportunity fire to the 17th tank brigade as it encircles the city. Units of the 55th Artillery are also on call to the 54th brigade as it advances into the city.

6. Attachments and Detachments. None

II. MISSION. At 0600 29 August 2004, the Ukrainian 53rd Infantry Brigade (Blue), attacks Objective WHITE (Cherkasy Oblast in southern Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.

III. EXECUTION.

A. Commander’s Intent. The Commander intends to attack the entrenched enemy in southern Smila along a broad front. The Armor battalion will assault through initially in order to attack the tank company defending along the high ground to the north. Two infantry battalions will attack left and right of the tank battalion and a third battalion will follow the tank battalion along their attack route.

B. Concept of the Operation.

1. Scheme of Maneuver. The Sokol Group will attack along the secondary road in western Mal Smelyanka in order to clear the bridge area of enemy units and support the Brigade main Effort. 1st Battalion, 37th Tank (Main Effort) attacks along the primary road west of Mal Yablonovka in order to create a breach and attack successive objective at Hill 140 south of Smila. 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry attacks along secondary road through Mal Yablonovka in order to clear the built up area around the river of enemy units and support the Brigade main effort in its attack toward Smila. 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry follows Brigade main effort along primary road west of Mal Yablonovka in order to clear enemy units from the built up area in the vicinity of the river and to support the Brigade’s main effort as it attacks north toward the city.

2. Fire Support Plan. Following the preparatory fire, the brigade will advance in line adjacent to the 17th Brigade on the west side of the river. Priority of fires will be to 1st Battalion, 37th Tank; then 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry; Sokol Group and finally, 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry. Once the Main 1st tank has seized Hill 140, priority of fires is to 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry.

C. Tasks.

1. I./37th Tank.

a. Main Effort. Advance along route ZELENYY (Green) to seize Objective SABLYA
at Hill 140.
b. Bypass platoon sized elements when possible.
c. Fight through Company-sized elements.
d. Establish company ambush to the west of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA
is taken.
e. Establish Company (+) ambush north of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA
is taken.

2. II./34th Infantry.

a. Reduce enemy obstacles along route KRASNYY (RED) and attack into built up area
at Mal Yablonovka.
b. Eliminate any enemy units in your Area of Responsibility (AOR) and continue
to push towards HILL 140.
c. Stop prior to HILL 140
d. Establish a defensive line oriented to the north and west.
e. Be prepared to attack HILL 140
f. Be prepared for follow-on missions.

3. Sokol Group (I. & II. Battalions)

a. Advance along route ZHELTYY (Yellow) and attack into built up are in western
Mal Yablonovka.
b. Eliminate any enemy units in your Area of Responsibility (AOR) and continue
to push towards HILL 140.
c. At 1000 meters south of HILL 140 turn to the northwest and move to
Phase Line IVAN the diagonal road north and west of HILL 140.
d. Establish a defensive line oriented to the north and west.
e. Be prepared to continue with the attack.

4. I./34th Infantry.

a. Be prepared to assume the mission of I./37th Tank
b. Be prepared to assume the mission of II./34th Infantry
c. Be prepared to assume the mission of Sokol Group
d. Assuming success along all three routes, advance along route ZELENYY (Green)
to assist I. tank battalion seize Objective SABLYA at Hill 140.
e. Once Objective SABLYA (HILL 140) is secure, establish a defensive line north
and west of the objective
f. Coordinate with Sokol Group on the left and II./34th Infantry on your right
g. Be prepared for follow on mission.

5. No. 4 Company, I./34th Infantry

a. Attack objective KINZHAL ten minutes prior to the Brigade in order to destroy
enemy Anti-Tank weapons in this area.
b. Once Objective KINZHAL is secure, 2nd AT platoon, attached to No. 4 company
establishes Anti-Armor ambushes north of Ternovka oriented to the north.

Ops Graphics

Click on map for larger crisper image.

Enemy Situation

Click on map for larger crisper image.

[Landain]

LTC Ivan Kozak sat quietly next to his Operations Officer, Major Boris Zakharov who scribbled copious notes on a pad of paper, listening to the Brigade Operations officer give his briefing. He wrote everything down even though he and the battalion commander received a copy of the Brigade plan as they entered the briefing room. It was a drill he engaged in to help digest as much of the information as he could.

When the brief was over, Colonel Kozak wanted to coordinate with the Sokol Group’s commander in order to prevent fratricide. The paramilitary organization would be operating on their left. He needed a sense of security that the Sokol Group could keep up with his tanks. He knew they would be alone once they pushed north of the built-up area, but the fight through could be rough.

During the ride back to the Assembly Area, LTC Kozak thought about the operation and began formulating a plan. Upon arrival, he and Major Zakharov sat down and worked out a plan. By morning, they had finalized their idea and called the company commanders in for their briefing.

Within an hour and a half, the company commanders were seated in the briefing room with their Operations NCOs. Major Zakharov gave the briefing and each commander was listing to their portion of the Battalion’s plan.

“Gentlemen, Take a look at the task organization. You will see that the third platoon of Number 4 company is attached to Number one company. The 1st AT platoon is attached to the Number 2 company and the 2nd AT platoon is attached to the Number 3 company. Also, third platoon, Number 2 Company is the battalion reserve and falls under the commander’s control. The third platoon, number 3 company and the Engineer platoon are attached to the Number 4 company for breaching operations.” Major Zakharov scanned the room to see if there were any questions. No one raised a hand.

“We will be moving north out of our assembly area into the outskirts of Smila to the north. The Sokol group will be adjacent to us on our left and the 2nd battalion, 34th Infantry will be on our right. The 1st battalion, 34th will follow us through the breach and suburbs. Our mission is as follows.” The operations officer read the mission statement, “At 0600 29 August 2004, the First Battalion, 37th tank regiment (Blue), attacks Objective SABLYAA (Hill 140 south of Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.”

“So, as to not confuse anyone, the battalion will begin breaching the obstacles south of the Tiasmyn River at 0600, not attacking Objective SABLYAA. We will move north along Route ZELENYY in the following order of march, Number two, Number four, Number one, Number three and the recon platoon as well as the other battalion assets. The TACCP will travel behind the lead element to overwatch the breach.”

“When the Number two company reaches the minefield, they will occupy one or two Support by fire positions and provide overwatching fires against known and suspected targets on the far side of the river. While this happens, the battalion fire support officer (FSO) will initiate firing WP (smoke) on the objective and on the far side of the rivers in order to obscure the breaching team. Once the obscuration has billowed up, he will then switch to High Explosive with time delay on the potentially entrenched enemy.”

“The Number four company will advance to the minefield and conduct its breaching operations, creating at least two lanes through the minefield. Once they have secured the far side of the obstacles, the Number one and number three companies will pass through the obstacles and the built-up area at Mal. Yablonovka. They will bypass platoon sized formations and head towards Objective SABLYAA (hill 140). Once the first and third companies have cleared the initial objective area, second and fourth companies will fight through the built up area and clear enemy units entrenched in this area, prepared to assist either the Sokol Group to the west or the 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry to the east and northeast.”

“The Number One company will establish a firing position south of Objective SABLYAA and begin firing on the objective. Once the Number three company arrives, they will pick up the support by fire role while the Number one Company attacks into the objective. From the move, the FSO will initiate fires on Hill 140 and stop shooting just prior to the Number One’s advance up the hill.”

“Once Hill 140 is clear and western Mal Yablonovka is clear, we will establish a defense north and west of Hill 140. The recon platoon will conduct reconnaissance around the southwest edge of Smila. We will tie in our defense with Sokol Group on our left and 2nd Battalion, 34th Infantry on our right. Then the 1st battalion, 34th Infantry will pass through our position and establish a battalion sized support by fire position south of the 54th Brigade’s objective at the railyard in southern Smila.”

“Are there any questions?”

OPORD 37 Tank

Operations Order I./37th Tank - Smila Ukraine
Lieutenant Colonel Ivan T. Kozak commands the First Battalion, 37th Tank Regiment

Task Organization
No. 1 Company (Tank)
1/1/I./37 Tk
2/1/I./37 Tk
3/1/I./37 Tk
3/4/I./37 Mech Infantry

No. 2 Company (Tank)
1/2/I./37 Tk
2/2/I./37 Tk
1st AT Platoon/37th Tk

No. 3 Company (Tank)
1/3/I./37 Tk
2/3/I./37 Tk
2nd AT Platoon/37th Tk

No. 4 Company (Infantry)
1/4/I./37 Mech Infantry
2/4/I./37 Mech Infantry
3/3/I./37 Tank
Engineer Platoon/37 Tk

BN Control
TACCP
CBT TNS
FLD TNS
3/2/I./37 Tk (BN Reserve)
Recon Platoon
Mortar Platoon

I. SITUATION.

Enemy Forces. The Third Battalion, 274th Mechanized Infantry, 24th Mechanized Brigade supported by a company of tanks from I./181st Tank (ORANGE) is defending along the southern edges of Smila, Ukraine. They are aware of the importance of their rail line at this city, which connects with their primary army headquarters to the Northwest. The battalion consists of three mechanized infantry companies (BMP-2), and two tank companies with T-72 and T-80 main battle tanks. They are also supported by 152mm Howitzers.

1. SALUTE. In our sector of the city, the Number 3 Company, 3rd Battalion, 274th Mechanized Infantry (Orange) is defending north of the Tiasmyn River along Route Zelenyy. The company consists of three mechanized infantry platoons deployed in the built-up areas along our avenue of approach. Hill 140 also contains an armor company of nine or ten tanks. We expect the enemy to have deployed anti-armor obstacles south of the river along the approaches.

2. DRAW-D Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw - Delay. The enemy will defend the southern approaches into Smila in order to prevent Blue forces from reaching the heart of the city. If we place substantial pressure upon the enemy, they may withdraw northward and could possibly be reinforced from the Brigade Reserves, three tank companies (T72) currently located in the western end of the city. We anticipate enemy Mi-24 and Mi-8 gunships in our area of operations.

A. Friendly Forces. The 3rd Division (Blue) will attack Smila from the east with the 55th Artillery brigade providing indirect fire support. The 54th Brigade (Division Main Effort) will attack just north of our Brigade into the Railroad yard leading toward the enemy headquarters to the northwest. Expect enemy rotary wing aircraft in our area of operations

1. Higher Unit Mission. At 0600 29 August 2004, the Ukrainian 53rd Infantry Brigade (Blue), attacks Objective WHITE (Cherkasy Oblast in southern Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.

2. Adjacent Unit Missions. East: The II./34th Motorized Infantry attacks at Mal Yablonovka.

3. West: The Sokol Group attacks Mal Yablonovka to our left.

4. Rear: I./34th Motorized Infantry follows our battalion along its avenue of approach to clear bypassed units from the AOR.

5. Supporting Unit Missions. 15th Aviation Battalion will provide Close Air Support in the Smila sector. Calls for Attack helicopters in our sector must be approved by the Battalion/Brigade Commander.

6. The 55th Artillery Brigade will provide a preparatory fire on the built up area in front of the division. The Brigade artillery battalions, including the division has four battalions of artillery in its independent artillery brigade along with another five battalions, one in each of the five maneuver brigades making a combined total of nine artillery battalions. The Division will mass its artillery to fire a massive artillery preparatory fire along the western edge of the Tiasmyn River for 20 minute prior to the attacks by the 53rd Mech in the south and the 92nd Brigade in the north. They will continue their concentrated barrage in and around the 54th brigade’s objective, the rail yard in the center of the city for an additional 20 minutes. Once the three leading infantry brigades commence their attack along the eastern edge of Smila, the 55th Artillery brigade will cease fire and provide opportunity fire to the 17th tank brigade as it encircles the city. Units of the 55th Artillery are also on call to the 54th brigade as it advances into the city.

7. Attachments and Detachments. None

II. MISSION. At 0600 29 August 2004, the First Battalion, 37th tank regiment (Blue), attacks Objective SABLYAA (Hill 140 south of Smila) in order to support the 54th Brigade’s attack on the railyard to the north.

III. EXECUTION.

A. Commander’s Intent. The Commander intends to push through Mal Yablonovka as soon as possible and eliminate enemy forces on Hill 140 in order to secure the left flank of the 54th Brigade to our north.

B. Concept of the Operation.

1. Scheme of Maneuver. The Number four company will lead the advance, eliminating obstacles along our route into Mal Yablonovka. No.2 Company will provide an overwatch of the bridge crossing to protect No. 4 company during their mine clearing operation. Once, the mines are clear, No. 1 Company (Main Effort) will lead the attack north towards Hill 140. No. 3 Company will follow the Number one company during their advance through the built up area. The No. 4 company will fight through the advance supported by the No. 2 company. Once the No. 3 company has cleared the north end of the built up region at Mal Yablonovka, they will break contact with the enemy and move north to support the battalion main effort at Hill 140. No. 1 Company will attack Hill 140 in order to eliminate enemy units and secure the left flank of the 54th Brigade.

2. Fire Support Plan. Following the preparatory fire, the battalion will advance in line between the Sokol Group to the left and the Second battalion, 34th Motorized infantry to the right. Priority of fires will be to No. 4 company initially during the push through Mal Yablonovka and then to No. 1 Company for their assault on Hill 140. Finally, priority of fires are available to No. 2 and No.3 Companies.

1. No. 1 Company.

a. Main Effort. Advance along route ZELENYY (Green) to seize Objective SABLYA
at Hill 140. Third in order of march along MSR (ZELENYY).
b. Bypass platoon sized elements when possible.
c. Fight through Company-sized elements.
d. Establish company ambush to the west of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA
is taken.
e. Establish Company (+) ambush north of Hill 140 once Objective SABLYA
is taken.

2. No. 2 Company.

a. Leads the battalion movement up the MSR (ZELENYY) to the anti-tank obstacles on the road.
b. Assume a support by fire position in order to suppress the enemy while No. 4 company conducts breaching operations.
c. Follow the breaching company through the breach
d. Support the No. 4 Company in clearing enemy units in north of Tiasmyn River.
e. Once the initial objective is clear, join the No. 1 Company in the north to establish
f. Fill into a defensive line to the right of the No. 1 Company once the objectives are clear.

3. No. 3 Company.

a. Trail company during move up the MSR to the initial objective.
b. Once the obstacles have been breached, follow the No. 1 Company through the breach.
c. Follow No. 1 Company to the Attack Position south of Hill 140.
d. Occupy a Support by Fire position south of Hill 140 and provide suppressive fires for the No. 1 Company.
e. Once Hill 140 is clear of enemy, become the battalion reserve for follow-on mission, prepared to attack somewhere along the battalion defensive sector.

4. No. 4 Company.

a. Conduct Breaching operations of AT mines south of the Tiasmyn River.
b. Provide overwatch for the Engineer platoon.
c. Pass through the breaching lanes and assault enemy units defending Mal Yablonovka north of the river.
d. Keep the MSR clear and allow No.1 and No. 3 companies to pass through in order to complete their primary mission north of this objective.
e. Once Mal Yablonovka is clear, move north to Hill 140.
f. Occupy a defensive position tying into the right of No. 2 Company.
g. Tie in with the II./34th Infantry on your right.
h. Allow I./34th Infantry to pass through your position in order to establish an advanced defensive position along the south side of the Smila Railyard.
i. Be prepared to assume the mission of the Battalion Main Effort.
j. Be prepared to assist I./34th Infantry with its mission in southern Smila.

5. Recon Platoon.

a. Follow No. 1 Company through the breach and the built up area.
b. Once you clear the built up area north of the river, push to the northwest in order to conduct reconnaissance of enemy units in the area.
c. Push as far as the -.29 road if possible.

[Andreyich]

Anatoli Marchenko listened as attentively as he could when given the first briefing of the operation, still in some measure of disbelief. His impromptu force had already committed non negligible violence in its efforts to support the Eastern Presidency. But this coordination with the military to do war in the middle of the country still took some time to digest.

He did not say much in the meeting with the other officers, only nodding politely. These were true military men, more professional if - by their whiskers - less experienced than he and his. He was confident that by his side the objective would be accomplished, but not at great risk to the lives of far more men than any engagement that he had been in, and for the first time in many years at great risk to his own life if enemy artillery and recconaissance could not be dealt with in a timely manner by the combined forces assembled.

Even when returning to brief his own unit about their assignment he was somewhat dazed by the occurrences of the day. Though there was no fear of death in the people under his command, there was anxiety regarding the success of the operation, and the aftermath. Well, in the documents he would draft before the assault at least there would be records that his operational orders were with the best intentions.

Sokol Group

Sokol Group OPORD

Task Organization:

The paramilitary platoons are organized in an ad-hoc fashion more for record-keeping and cooperation with other units rather than internal use, with platoons moving interchangeably between companies if required. In internal use within the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sokol group remains organized as follows:

1st Company (Motorized Infantry) (Improvised):
1st Pltn.
2nd Pltn.
3rd Pltn.
4th Pltn.

2nd Company (Motorized Infantry):
1st Pltn.
2nd Pltn.
3rd Pltn.
4th Pltn.
5th Pltn.
6th Pltn.

3rd Company (Mechanized Infantry):
1st Pltn.
2nd Pltn.
3rd Pltn.
4th Pltn.

I. SITUATION.

Within the area of responsibility the enemy has diverse assets complementing one another including motorized anti-tank capable of negating our initial advantages in armour. There are also mechanized companies within range to reinforce in the event that we can successfully threaten them with enfilade, and if allowed to consolidate they may have localized numeric superiority with artillery support blunting efforts to outmaneuver.

The enemy also maintains a non negligible advantage in terrain. This will insure reconnaissance units positioned along hills or other features of the sector will provide an advantage in reconaissance. Particular attention should be given before first contact is made in positions like the bridge crossing to Ternovka, or the woods and entrance to Mal Smelyanka where enemy reconaissance will have allowed for disastrous attacks upon our advance. For this same reason a note must be made to excercise extreme fire control such that sound is not compounded with OPFOR advantage in visual threat recognition.

At the same time these parts of the sector threaten allied forces for the same reason they threaten ours as likely occupied sight lines will also be able to be used against the troops of Route Green to report on their activities. Roads and the territory as a whole in our sector can also be used to create minor encirclements of allied forces in the event their successful advance produces a salient.

Roads are almost a matter of priority as noticeable differences between them insure that the control of paved routes will determine who decides conditions of engagements. For Sokol group in particular control of roads is critical as our assignment demands of us to create a defence South-West of hill 140 and traversing too much grassland instead of road to get in position may delay our accomplishment of the task in a reasonable time as well as opening our companies to being outmaneuvered rendering the assignment null.

Air and artillery support is present but the lower priority of Sokol group in queue insures any plans must be made without these assets in mind to insure that allied divisions in more target dense sectors can efficiently use this support. Helicopter support should only be called in the event of a potential rout or destruction of our units in its absence, or in the event enemy maneuvers ensure allied units do not engage at expected times.

II. MISSION. At 0600 29 August 2004, Sokol group will attack along Route Yellow, clearing OPFOR presence until reaching the road South-West of objective Sablya where a defensive line will be formed.

III. EXECUTION.

The four platoons of the first company are to split such that each of the four platoons will move independent and occupy the four corresponding heights of our sector routing any OPFOR reconaissance units along the way. First platoon will then leave behind single digits of vehicles at each height to control their sight and relay any information seen about OPFOR to our and allied units.

Second and third companies are to slightly lag the first waiting until control of the hills ensures we have the vision to guarantee a safe advance North.

At this point first company will now be lagging second and third and must be on standby to prepare to assist 34th infantry with their soft skinned vehicles if local OPFOR AT units prove more effective or numerous than anticipated. The first platoon of second company is to pass through the wooded road with orders for immediate retreat if an ambush is prepared within. Otherwise it is to occupy the entrance to Mal Smelyanka and wait until the arrival of the other platoons and companies. It will then form defilade together with the rest of second company whilst the third and first head West to form enfilade and eliminate enemy units within Mal Smelyanka.

Pending reassessment of the working situation Sokol group will then have first and second companies disembark their vehicles and use the cover of Mal Smelyanka to provide cover for an aggressive push across the bridge with third company that is aiming to encircle local mechanized and motorized infantry defences.

Following destruction, rout or surrender of resistance the road will be used to move North West avoiding enemy artillery and rocket fire. Pending reassessment first and third companies will then move to secure the Southern side of the road for a defence, whilst second company elements will patrol within the region thwart the work of enemy reconaissance units, create a fall-back line in the event the Northern defence is overwhelmed, and assist allied Units in the event it is required.

[Pepschep]

If one did not know any better, it would be possible to think of the Second Battalion's positions as a leisurely place. There was no cloud in sight, and the scorching sun kept the shade temperature well above thirty degrees celsius. Combined with the patchy ceasefire agreement holdig well, the urgency of the civil war had left the minds of the volunteer militiamen on both sides of the divide. The men of Second Battalion spent their days watching their opponents, seeking shade, staying hydrated, and hoping there would be good news from the negotiating table.

When the ceasefire first came into effect, Timoshenko used the opportunity to train his battalion as best as he could for an eventual resumption of hostilities. From dawn till dusk, he turned the workers militias and volunteers into something at least resembling an army. Close-order drill, physical fitness, bounding overwatch, weapons familiarisation, field hygiene, first aid....From dawn to dusk, they were made into soldiers. But by August the line had become much less tense and even Timoshenko concerned himself with little more than Command Post Exercises. There would be no fighting now, he figured. After that, there will be rain and mud and then winter will come, making a resumption of hostilities unlikely until spring. It made the Warning Orders all the more surprising.

There was sense to it all. In the South-West, Odessa was still besieged by the government in Kiev. Resupply by sea was still possible, but humanitarian relief coming into the city was still severely limited. Furthermore, a flurry of activity indicated more troops being moved to the siege of Odessa. At the top, whether that was Kharkov or the Kremlin, it was decided that the initiative had to be seized from them. The first thrust was to be exactly in the sector of the 34th MRR. A lot more vehicles, replacement troops, and stocks of supplies had been coming in and gave Timoshenko and his staff some indication of what was coming, but he did not expect to be the tip of the spear. The surprise for this old concertina-eater was a welcome one, though.

The town of Smila that forward elements of the 34th had been looking down on for a while was an important railroad junction. It was one of two rail lines that led to Odessa from Kiev, but also the only one that led to the vulnerable town of Mykolaiv. The seizure of Smila would allow for a larger offensive in the South of the country that would seize Mykolaiv and lift the siege of Odessa, giving the Kharkov-based government a much stronger hand at any following negotiations. Or at least, that was the intention.

"Politics with bloodshed", Timoshenko remarked as he gathered his barebones staff around him. "There will be a warning order within the hour. We need to make sure everyone is ready to move and square away whatever we can. Are there urgent questions already?"

Captain Makarov, commanding the Tank Company, raised his hand. "There are still infantrymen with under-folding AKMs in the battalion, and I need as many as we can scrounge for the tank crews. They take up much less space inside the tanks than the side-folders."

"The opportunity for that has passed, Captain. First make sure all your vehicles are running-"

"They're not", remarked 1Coy's CO, Captain Marchenko. "We're going into battle on flatbeds if those spares don't come through."

Timoshenko cut him off in turn. "I want everyone to report back the biggest shortfalls and eventual surpluses in your companies within two hours, maybe we can shuffle some things around. Lieutenant Dimitriev, get as many trucks as you can get running back to Brigade and scrounge whatever spares you can for the BTRs and BMPs. They're not keeping books, and we're gonna need it more than just about anyone in the country."

So much for an industrial base. Desertions, lack of maintenance, and a collapsing economy left enormous marks on what remained of either Ukrainian army. Timoshenko simply thought that commanders make their own luck. But more importantly, he wasn't sure anyone would notice.