NGU soldiers held defense for three weeks in complete encirclement
19 November, 2024 Destroyed enemy infantry fighting vehicle during an enemy assault on September 16. Freeze from the video Butusov+ Eight soldiers of the Svoboda Battalion of the 4th Rubizh Rapid Reaction Brigade held the defense near the village of Spirne near Siversk for 67 days.
The last three weeks of which they were defending themselves in the encirclement. Military correspondent Yurii Butusov reported this on his Telegram channel. The soldiers held the position between July 10 and September 16, 2024.
The position's commander was a 25-year-old platoon leader, Senior Lieutenant Vladyslav Stotskyi. Vladyslav graduated from the National Guard Academy in Kharkiv and was assigned to the 4th Rubizh Rapid Reaction Brigade as a deputy company commander for personnel. However, he asked the brigade command to send him to a lower but combat position.
Volunteer soldiers of the Svoboda Battalion fought alongside Vladyslav at the position.
Defense
The position was surrounded during a massive Russian offensive on Siversk. Neighboring units on the flanks had to withdraw, but the command ordered the Svoboda Battalion to hold their positions to prevent the enemy from continuing the offensive.
Changes on the front line near the village of Spirne between July 9 and September 20, 2024. Photo credits: Deepstate
The command of the Svoboda Battalion ordered the fighters to remain in position but to act as covertly as possible.
They would only come to the surface if necessary to fight off another assault and pick up supplies delivered by drones. Thus, with the support of drones and firepower from the Svoboda and the K-2 battalions of the 54th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the soldiers held the line until September 16.
Soldiers of the Svoboda Battalion engage in a small arms battle with the invaders during an enemy assault on September 16. Freeze frame from Butusov+ video
On September 16, a Russian assault force attacked the stronghold with two tanks, two armored personnel carriers, and an infantry fighting vehicle, from which an entire assault platoon was landed.
The soldiers repelled the attack and destroyed the entire enemy assault squad, but unfortunately, one of the National Guardsmen was killed. After that, it was decided to withdraw the soldiers from the position.
Destruction of a Russian MTLB with troops during an enemy assault on September 16. Freeze frame from Butusov+ video
During the defense of the position, supported by drones with provisions and fire, Svoboda fighters managed to destroy five dozen invaders and six pieces of equipment.
Soldiers of the 4th Rubizh Rapid Reaction Brigade of the National Guard continue to hold the line in the Siversk sector.
On November 13, a video was published showing how the National Guard defeated an enemy assault and prevented the enemy from strengthening their positions.
The elimination of enemy infantry and equipment was carried out with the help of an FPV drone and an external crew from the unmanned strike unit of the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Brigade.