"The longer we fight, the worse tanks the Russians get" - 80th Brigade soldier

The 80th Detached Airborne Assault Brigade told Espreso.West about this fighting.

From the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, soldiers of the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade have been ruthlessly and professionally "burning" Russian equipment.

"Since February 24, our unit destroyed 17 tanks and 29 armored fighting vehicles," says the commander of the anti-tank unit with the callsign Artist. "It was in the South and East. More equipment was captured in the East, because more intense fighting was going on there. The most memorable case was when a Russian armored personnel carrier was hit. At first, it seemed to the operator of the Stugna as if he lost contact with the missile and it did not go to the target. But at the last moment, he again "caught" the rocket with the joystick and launched it from the rear of the enemy right into the side."

According to the soldiers, the Russians were armed with T-73B3 or T-90 tanks, as well as old Soviet T-80BV.

"The longer we fight, the worse the tanks in them become," says the commander of the anti-tank guided missile battery of the 80th brigade with the call sign Foxtrot, about the successes in the service. Stugna is a very effective anti-tank complex in this war, with remote control and a large  launch range. I had a launch of 5300 meters - which is even more than the stated characteristics. Despite its massiveness and the need to be operated by several people, it has its advantages. If the Russians notice us and start hitting back, they mostly aim at the missile launcher itself, and not by calculation. We can be at a distance of 50-60 meters, near the remote control panel. There is no such thing in other PTKR - Fagot, Metis or their Cornet."

Professional anti-tank gunners are trained in special training centers. But the best training is on the battlefield.

"There is also tactical thinking, psychological endurance - all the things that a good soldier should possess," adds the anti-tank gunman with the call sign Artist. "There are moments with artillery fire or when a tank is operating along our lines. And here it is important not to let the security get the better of you." When concentrating on the target as much as possible, thinking about how to hit it, fear becomes secondary."

Today, the 80th anti-tank brigade is a coherent body that sets more ambitious goals. Knocking out tanks is not enough for them now. They dream of shooting down an enemy helicopter. For example, Ka-52, two of which have already been shot down by comrades from the 95th brigade. They believe that they will also be able to if there is an opportunity.