79 airmobile brigade (Nikolaev, Ukraine)

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

How did the 79th Nikolaev separate airmobile brigade appear? What was its original function? What is she doing now? For some, the 79th Airmobile Brigade are heroes, for others they are punishers who destroy their people.

History of Creation

In 1979, the command of the Soviet Army decided to create airborne light infantry. These were supposed to be air assault regiments and brigades. The solution was found quickly. One of the main bases was the battalion of reconnaissance and airborne support of the 111th airborne regiment, which is part of the military district of Odessa in the city of Nikolaev. Then a separate 40th brigade was formed (airborne assault, and after 1990 - airborne).

Shortly after the collapse of the USSR, Ukraine declared its desire to secede and became an independent state. Accordingly, the 79th airmobile brigade (Nikolaev) came 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 air assaultSoviet troops.

Certificate Record

The 79th Regiment has distinguished itself in many peacekeeping operations. The servicemen performed their duty in Serbia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Slovenia, Macedonia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Iraq. With the participation of the 79th brigade, several international exercises were held. I must say that the Ukrainian military proved itself then only on the positive side.

In July 2007, on the basis of this regiment, additionally reinforced by a separate helicopter regiment, an experimental 79th separate airmobile brigade was formed.

Operations in Ukraine

The result of the well-known "Euromaidan" was an armed coup and the seizure of power. There were more and more active calls for persecution of those who did not speak Ukrainian. Particular aggression was manifested in relation to the Russian-speaking population living in the east of Ukraine. People's meetings and numerous rallies against the ban on the Russian language were ignored by the new government. Moreover, the pressure increased, including with the support of the media.

The decision to hold a referendum was supported by the majority of residents. It took place on May 11, 2014. About 90% of the population voted for federalization. Two people's republics were proclaimed - Lugansk (LNR) and Donetsk (DNR). Of course, Kyiv did not recognize the referendum. Moreover, the DPR and LPR were declared terrorist organizations. Almost a month later, Turchinov, actingPresident, the so-called ATO was declared. In fact, this was the beginning of a punitive operation.

The 79th airmobile brigade turned out to be among the forces thrown into the cleansing. It has been operating on the territory of the DPR since May 18, 2014. In June, the brigade took part in the battles against the people's militia for Saur-mogila.

Southern Cauldron

Armed clashes were gaining momentum. There were heavy, bloody battles between the militia of Donbass and units of the Ukrainian army. Saur-Mogila was of particular strategic importance, as it towered over the steppe spaces adjacent to it. In addition, the mound would allow control of a fairly large part of the border between Russia and Ukraine. The height was a point that gave complete control over the supply of the southern group.

By June 5, the fighting moved to the Marinovka area (customs checkpoint, south side of the height). Three days later, armed formations entrenched themselves to the north, in Snezhnoye. On June 12, 2014, the 79th airmobile Nikolaev brigade was attacked by fourteen militiamen of the DPR, armed with only AK-47s and only one AGS-17. The people's militia desperately defended their land. At that time, the 79th airmobile brigade had fifteen armored personnel carriers, eight Hamers, support for two helicopters, an SU-27 aircraft, and active artillery. The losses of both sides were not officially indicated.

The Ukrainian security forces launched a new assault on the heights on July 2, and on July 3 A. Parubiy (National Security and Defense Council Secretary) announced that the “terrorists” strongholddestroyed. However, on July 6, a new assault on the “occupied” height took place. This time already by the forces of another Ukrainian battalion "Azov". The defenders held the barrow, again repulsing the furious attack. Azov, on the other hand, lost about 80% of its composition and retreated to the rear for reorganization. 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 Saur-Mohyla and Snezhnoye districts were defended by a rebel detachment created on the basis of Vostok.

By mid-July, a 5,000-strong grouping of the Ukrainian army, which included the Shakhtersk battalion, part of Azov, the 24th mechanized brigade, the 72nd and 79th airmobile brigade, ended up in the Southern Cauldron. The militants were blocked by the people's militia. In just two weeks, the Kyiv army lost more than 1,200 fighters, incl. officers, more than 3,000 people were wounded, a lot of heavy and light armored vehicles were destroyed, 2 SU-25 aircraft were shot down. And these are just approximate figures.

Partial Liquidation

Since June 2014, the 79th airmobile brigade faithfully carried out the order of the government, fighting for Saur-Mogila. In July, having got into the "Southern Cauldron", it was partially liquidated. The remnants of the brigade came under rocket fire on 11 July. About 20% of the military personnel survived. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian media on all channels were broadcasting about the brilliant victories in the Donbass. On June 6, the press center of the DPR made a report that according to the remnantsThe brigade was hit by an airstrike by Ukrainian aviation. For what purpose the few survivors were destroyed, one can only guess. The next day, the AEMBR command handed over the Osa air defense system, the Grad MLRS and heavy equipment (about 70 units, including tanks) to the people's militia. In fact, it was a refusal to further subjugate Kyiv.

Ukrainian media are authorized to state…

On the ninth of August, the leading TV channels of Ukraine (in particular, TSN) publicly announced the return of all personnel to their place of deployment. Meanwhile, the commander of another Dnepr-1 battalion, Parasyuk, complained about the significant hushing up of the losses of Ukrainian army forces. On the air of another Ukrainian channel 112 Ukraine, he complained that “Ukrainians are being fooled.”