OP2406-21-6 After Action Report

OP2406-21-6 After Action report

OP2406-21-6

In Bekatov, 1st Battalion Chernarus 17th Separate Light Rifle Brigade command staff issued a warning order and put together a task force after receiving information that separatist forces were planning to occupy and fortify the village of Khuzhadon.

Relying on reports from local agents, and tapped cell phone calls, battalion intelligence staff concluded that the separatists were planning a large operation, warning that the attempt to occupy Khuzhadon may be a diversionary operation.

This region of Bekatov is bisected by a small river, the Treshka River, running east to west, the northern part of which is well patrolled by the separatists and the southern edge by patrols from 1st Battalion. Bekatov is primarily steppe with very little cover such as wooded areas, except for the river regions.

Battalion operations staff ordered two of three patrols to shift their area of operation to the planned river crossing in order to cover the crossing from enemy activity.

The task force consisted of three truck-borne rifle squads, two BRDM scout cars, and two BRDM-AT vehicles. The task force made the river crossing without incident and began to deploy into the village.

The tactical plan to defend the village was for the scout cars to be positioned on the east and west sides of the village, with a BRDM-AT vehicle positioned where they could keep a clear watch on avenues of approach to the Village. 3rd Squad took up positions on the west side of the village, while 2nd Squad took up a position on the east side of the village. A reinforcing 4th Rifle Squad arrived in the village, as a reserve. Command Squad with Scout 1 BRDM took up positions in the center of the village, which allowed incoming enemy vehicles and infantry to be channeled into their field of Fire.

Command Squad made first contact, fighting off attacks from Russian naval infantry special operations forces and Wagner Group operators. Scout 2, and 3rd Squad, fought off attacks from Russian militia.

Meantime, our patrols on the southern edge of the river began to be engaged by enemy patrols. Task Force commander launched artillery strikes against suspected inbound enemy infantry on the north edge of the village. In addition to these two artillery strikes, commander ordered two more artillery strikes against suspected enemy positions fighting our patrols at the river crossing.

Vehicle attacks came from the northeast and the northwest, arriving in Command Squad's area of operation. Another enemy technical was fought off by 2nd Squad to the east. 3rd Squad fought off enemy infantry attacks from the northwest.

2nd Squad fought hard against enemy attempts to infiltrate to the south, but suffered heavy casualties. 2nd Squad was ordered to withdraw. Their losses were so heavy that the remnants were folded into 4th Squad, which then was ordered to occupy 2nd Squad's area of operation.

At this point task force commander decided to begin pulling back his task force from town, starting first with the two scout cars, and the two AT vehicles. Suspecting the likelihood of enemy patrols active at the river crossing commander marched to the river crossing to reconnoiter the situation. It was clear at that point that the river crossing was clear and the retreat back to base could continue.

Losses were moderate. 2nd Squad was wiped out, 3rd squad lost six and 4th Squad lost two.

Field counts of enemy losses included seven technicals, with that count likely much higher due to aircraft patrols by Su-25 ground interdiction aircraft assigned to the area.

Battalion intelligence staff determined that, while the losses of the separatists were high, they likely didn't send their best, and that the push to occupy or capture Khuzhadon was anemic at best. Battalion operation staff suggested that a new operation into the area be launched as soon as possible.