Most difficult order is to stand to death

After one successful offensive operation, I asked the commander of one of our best units what was the hardest thing for him in the war. He said: “Giving orders to stand to the death. I did it three times, and each time I went to those positions to look my men in the eye. Then I turned and left, and they stayed and held on. And they did.

The situation in the area of Bakhmut is very difficult, the enemy has deeply engulfed the city. The Russians have suffered heavy losses, but are advancing step by step. The order to 'hold' is the only possible one in this situation.

But an order has weight when, in addition to words, it includes well-prepared and protected positions, well-established intelligence, interaction with neighbors, joint awareness of the situation, the use of troops in accordance with their real capabilities, covered flanks, replenishment that can shoot, all possible ammunition, officers who do not lead from the basement, but whom soldiers trust. And all these elements have to work and improve every day, only then success is achieved.

“The commander who gives the order to 'hold on' must not only throw words, but, first of all, do everything to make his great work understood behind these words - understood not in Kyiv, but first of all at every personal assignment unit and observation post.”

The commander who gives the order to 'hold on' must not only throw words, but, first of all, do everything to make his great work understood behind these words - understood not in Kyiv, but first of all at every personal assignment unit and observation post. To make it clear how these words will turn into a victory - in the enemy's losses, in our lives, in the land we are defending.

To do this, you cannot be the boss and controller of your subordinates, but you have to be one of them, who together performs this dangerous 'hold on'. To do this, you need to see the war up close, not by visiting the battalion command center. This requires answering all the questions of those from whom you expect to fight to the end. This requires trust - and trust begins with an honest determination of one's own responsibility for everything that is happening.

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About the author: Yurii Butusov, journalist, soldier of Ukraine's Armed Forces. 

The editors do not always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.