Spartan Assault Brigade Takes Training in Kharkiv Oblast

The Offensive Guard formation has been ongoing in Ukraine for almost three months. These assault units will be involved in the liberation of the occupied territories.

Most of the formed brigades are subordinate to the National Guard: “Azov,” “Bureviy,” “Karadag,” “Rubizh,” “Spartan,” “Chervona Kalina” and the 13th brigade of the National Guard “Charter.”

The Spartan brigade defended Kharkiv at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and also took part in the region’s liberation in September 2022. Currently, fighters are training in Kharkiv Oblast.

Gwara Media journalists found out how military personnel take training in Kharkiv Oblast.

One of the most essential stages of preparation is medical training, as a soldier must be able to assist himself and his comrades.

“The lives of our comrades and other people, our friends and relatives, depend on such preparation. We constantly learn, banally – we practice how to apply a tourniquet properly. In particular, everyone should have at least four of them. A tourniquet should be applied in any situation, even if it is a minor injury. This skill must be developed constantly,” says the serviceman with the call sign Adolf.

The specifics of medical training depend on the operation. It can be an urban battle or an open area. The places of hostilities are conditionally divided into three zones, green, yellow, and red. The scale of assistance depends on the zone in which the injured person is located.

One cannot immediately run to the place if the injured person is in the red zone. The serviseman must find out whether the person can help themselves or reach a safe area.

“Adolf” is 28 years old. He is from Okhtyrka, a city in Sumy Oblast. The fighter is the commander of the Punisher crew. “It is an attack drone. The cheapest in the world and very effective.”

“Adolf” has been serving for six years, three of which he has spent in the Spartan brigade. According to him, medicine, tactics, and firing position are constantly being improved, so training and acquiring new skills is necessary.

“Everything here is at the highest level. We understand, if you want to win, you need to be strong, know how to shoot, know tactical medicine to avoid losses,” says the serviceman.

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In addition to medical training, the brigade practices tactics, fire training, and shooting at targets. These basic skills will help in the future when storming the enemy.

A serviceman with the call sign Bison also spoke about his National Guard service.

The fighter is 34 years old. He comes from Dnipro but has lived in Kharkiv for about 10 years. In peaceful life, he was an actor and athlete.

“I have been doing sports all my life, acting for the last three and a half years. I played in movies; mostly, they were the roles of bandits,” the military man shares.

“Bison” has been in this unit for more than three months, while he started military service right after the beginning of a full-scale Russian invasion.

At first, the fighter was a volunteer, participating in the defense of Kharkiv. Then he was sent to the regiment that was engaged in the protection of state facilities.

“But I wanted to return to the boys and expel Russians who think they have some rights here from our country. I saw an advertisement for the Offensive Guard recruitment, sent an application, and passed an interview. So here I am.”

Why did you choose this unit?

— First, I live in Kharkiv and want to protect my city and region. Secondly, there is good equipment, training, motivated fighters, and experienced commanders. You always know that you can count on your comrade.

The military man wants to liberate Ukraine from the invaders and show the whole world the indomitability of Ukrainians. “It took me only two days to make a decision.”

According to “Bison,” physical training is crucial to join the Offensive Guard units. One should prepare for the service.

How to estimate your progress?

— I feel that here I gained a lot of technical knowledge and basic medical skills and became more morally stable because I had the honor of taking on the enemy.

Training has been going on for a month. According to Artem Zinoviev, the head of the combat training department, the fighters are being prepared to storm the Russian army buildings and positions. People aged 20 to 40 years old usually join the unit. Most of them have military experience. Recruitment of volunteers to the brigade is ongoing.

According to the lieutenant colonel, the training takes place in three stages. First comes the individual training, then preparation with specialists — snipers, machine gunners, etc. The latter covers training as part of a team when everyone begins to perform tasks together.

Read more:

• New Sirko Drone Presented in Kharkiv
• “Glory to Ukraine” on TikTok Alone Won’t Change Anything.” Story of Soldier Who Defends Kharkiv
• From Miniatures Creator to National Guard Soldier: Story of Anton Derbilov

by Daria Lobanok

translated by Tetiana Fram

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