Ukrainian artillery changes the course of the war: interview with artillery battery commander Roman

The Russo-Ukrainian war, especially its heated phase after February 24, 2022, was dubbed the “artillery war” for a reason. The enemy, having an advantage in the number of weapons and ammunition, bombarded Ukrainian cities and villages with various calibers during the offensive.

The Ukrainian army courageously resisted this onslaught of fire, demonstrating a high level of professionalism and resilience. The lack of artillery support was acutely felt in certain areas of the front, but thanks to the courage and ingenuity of the Ukrainian military, the situation was stabilized.

The journalist of IA “FAKT” Yuliya Khomenko learned about the work of the artillery battery of the 95th separate amphibious assault brigade from its commander Roman, who spoke about the peculiarities of artillery work in the modern war, the heroism and self-sacrifice of Ukrainian artillerymen, as well as how important it is to support them in this difficult time

How did you get to the 95th brigade, and what events preceded your appointment to this position?

My path to the 95th brigade began in 2019-2020, when I studied at the National Academy of Ground Forces named after Hetman P.Sagaidachny at the Faculty of Missile Forces and Artillery, diligently prepared for future service, striving to become a true professional in his field. After graduation, the distribution took place, during which each graduate, according to the performance rating, had the opportunity to choose a military unit for further service. Being in first place in the ranking, I received a wide selection of units, among which was the one stationed in my hometown. There I decided to continue my military career, hoping for an interesting service.

Tell us about your first fight. What were your thoughts?

The most tense and frightening moment was not the very first battle with the start of a full-scale war, but the period of waiting for the offensive. In my imagination, I had already said goodbye to life, but the reality turned out to be completely different. We had an intense, exhausting, but at the same time exciting job that required full dedication and concentration. We hardly rested, and for the first three days I did not sleep at all, but the adrenaline and the awareness of the importance of our mission helped to overcome the fatigue, and each shelling from a new type of weapon or ammunition became a kind of test and a lesson that we learned on the fly. We began to slowly study the weaknesses and advantages of the enemy and adapt to new realities.

What are the latest technologies used or planned for implementation in artillery units? How do they change the tactics of fighting?

Before the start of a full-scale war, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in artillery was limited, both in number and types. However, with the beginning of hostilities, the situation changed radically, and the active use of “wedding drones” (Mavic) opened up new opportunities for constant reconnaissance and surveillance of the enemy, which significantly increased the effectiveness of our work.

Regarding the implementation of artificial intelligence in artillery systems, I will say that it is a complex and long-term process. If this happens, it will greatly facilitate our work, freeing commanders from many routine tasks and allowing them to focus on strategic planning and management.

In the NATO member countries, the main fire influence on the enemy is aviation. Aviation works first, and artillery has a secondary role. In our country, on the contrary, due to the peculiarities of war, artillery is a significant means of destroying the enemy. Artillery and now FPV drones. We deal the main damage to the enemy. Most of the losses on our side and on the enemy’s side come from artillery, FPV, and dropping ammunition from quadcopters. Infantry shooting battles still need to be reached, except that already during battles in cities with tall buildings, there artillery does not have the opportunity to work effectively, therefore, under such conditions, there are more shooting and tank battles.

What are the features of gunnery training for successful combat missions?

Artillery training in Ukraine consists of two main stages – first, servicemen receive general military training, which includes mastering small arms skills and infantry combat tactics. They then undergo specialized gunnery training, which covers the study of different types of weapons, ammunition, as well as aiming skills. In our unit, a serviceman is allowed to perform combat tasks only after the chief sergeant of the battery or platoon personally conducts training on standard weapons and confirms his readiness, because we understand that the success of the entire operation depends on the professionalism and responsibility of each gunner. We are constantly improving our skills and tactics, because the enemy also learns and adapts to our actions, so it is important to be flexible and ready for non-standard solutions to always be one step ahead.

In which directions did you fight, which of them were the most difficult and most memorable?

Our brigade passed baptism of fire at different areas of the front. At first, we held the defense in the Horlovsky direction, near Izyum and Sloviansk, then took part in the counteroffensive on Izyum and the Swativska operation. After that, there were fierce battles in the Serebryansk forest, in the Kupyansk and Lymansk directions, namely near the populated points of Vilshan, Liman Pershiy, Synkivka, Terny and Yampolivka, Nevske. Each of these areas had its own characteristics and required maximum concentration and professionalism from us. The most exhausting and difficult battles were probably the battles in the Serebryan Forest, where dense vegetation provided the enemy with numerous natural shelters, which greatly complicated our combat task. The topography of the area makes adjustments to military tactics. In a wooded area, it is primarily important for artillery that the distance of projectile fragments is significantly reduced due to the dense planting of trees, which significantly increases the consumption of ammunition to destroy the enemy.

Tell us about your injuries. How have they affected your physical and psychological health? How were you able to overcome difficulties and return to service?

While advancing to firing positions, I came under fire and suffered shrapnel wounds to the face, a mine blast injury, a concussion, shrapnel wounds to the hands, and a traumatic rupture of the eardrum. These injuries significantly affected my physical and psychological health, but thanks to the support of my comrades and medical staff, I was able to overcome the difficulties and return to service. However, some of the consequences are reminiscent of those difficult times. After an injury, there is probably always a psychological barrier in the form of fear of experiencing it again. But this fear disappears with the first battle and shelling. In general, you take all possible measures so that this does not happen again.

How do you assess the role of artillery in this war? What are its advantages and disadvantages compared to other types of weapons, such as drones?

Artillery plays a key role in the destruction and damage of enemy targets, exerting the main fire impact on the approaches to our infantry positions and in depth at the distance of the maximum firing range of this or that type of weapon. In recent years, means of reconnaissance, targeting and fire control have been significantly modernized. The accuracy has increased, the speed of response to detected targets has decreased. As a result, the effectiveness of artillery even of old systems has increased many times. Means of close combat, small arms have not lost their relevance, but have receded into the background – according to various estimates, at least 85% of the enemy’s losses in this war are caused by artillery. While drones also provide important support, artillery has its advantages, such as greater firepower and range, but is also more vulnerable to enemy detection and countermeasures.

How do you cope with the psychological stress that inevitably accompanies military service, especially in the conditions of a long absence of rotation?

Two and a half years of continuous service on the front line is an extremely heavy burden that every soldier bears. Constant stay in the combat zone, where death awaits at every step, exhausting battles, loss of brothers, lack of normal sleep and rest – all this cannot but leave a mark on the psyche. The psychological burden increases every day, and sometimes it seems that the strength is already at the limit. Of course, I had a vacation, but when I come back here, everything repeats itself in a circle. At such moments, I am saved by thoughts about the future, about what we are fighting for. I imagine a peaceful Ukraine, where our children will be able to grow up in safety and happiness, where there will be no sounds of explosions and air raid sirens. This dream of a bright future, of the happy smiles of our children, is what gives me the strength to continue the struggle, despite all the difficulties and trials.

I hear this phrase more and more from soldiers: if our men do not go to fight in the Ukrainian army, then they will have to fight in the Russian army. Do you think we can only win this war if everyone fights?

This phrase you hear from fighters reflects the realities we face. Russian aggression threatens all of us, and every Ukrainian must be ready to defend his land. But war is not for everyone, motivated people who have certain skills should fight. Of course, unfortunately, we are very short of people, but I repeat, people who really want to fight have to fight. The effectiveness of the army, its professionalism, motivation and support are important. Every citizen can contribute to victory by supporting the army and believing in our common cause. Volunteers provide us with the things we need, taxpayers fund the military, and the military protects the country on the front lines. Only together we can achieve victory.

How do you see the end of the war in Ukraine and what, in your opinion, must be done to achieve victory?

I see the end of the war as the complete liberation of the territory of Ukraine from enemy troops and restoration of control over the state border. This will mean that our military and civilians no longer die from shelling and fighting. To achieve victory, it is necessary to increase the number of military personnel and provide them with everything necessary. This means increasing the number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, providing them with modern weapons, equipment and a sufficient amount of ammunition to conduct effective offensive operations in several directions at the same time. It is also necessary to inflict the greatest possible losses in weapons and personnel on the Russians in the shortest possible time, exceeding their recovery capabilities. It is necessary to systematically destroy the enemy’s artillery, rocket launchers, airplanes and helicopters, as well as its warehouses with ammunition, fuel and food. These steps are key to achieving victory and restoring peace in Ukraine.