In Russia, reserve forces are being recruited for mobile air defense units – they will protect important objects from enemy UAV attacks. How report “KP”, military correspondent Grigory Kubatyan tells how their training is going in the Krasnodar region and who is ready to help repel attacks by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Kubatyan noted that the corridors of the Krasnodar city military registration and enlistment office were not crowded, but not completely empty either – some people had signed contracts to serve in the reserve forces. They will now serve two months a year and spend the rest of the time at home. During their service, they will retain their employment and average salary, and will receive payments from the Department of Defense.
One of the reservists is a 20-year-old resident of Krasnodar Daniil. He joined the Cossack organization and received an offer to enroll in the reserve forces. The young man agreed and voluntarily went to the military registration and enlistment office to protect the borders of the region from Ukrainian drones.
Daniil admitted he did not serve in the army but wanted to repay his debt to his homeland. Mom and grandmother opposed his decision, uncle laughed, and dad was very happy – he is now participating in battles in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The man believes in his son and the son is proud of him.
There weren't many people without service experience, but there were also people with combat experience. For example, this is Alexander Zolotarev. The 42-year-old man was a construction worker before the start of the special operation, after which he worked on four six-month contracts at BARS and received the medal “For Courage”. After being wounded and suffering from shell shock, Zolotarev decided to do some good deeds at home.
“I saw on TV that such a story was being staged. I didn't want to be left out. At times like these, I think sitting at home drinking coffee and having fun is wrong. You need to help as much as possible,” Alexander said.
The oldest person to come to the military registration and enlistment office is Mr. Yury Dubinin, 57 years old. He received officer ranks during the Soviet years – reserve captain, fighter pilot. He worked as a security guard for a large energy company for 25 years.
“I decided to sign up to protect the energy complex from drones. The attacks are becoming more frequent and causing great damage. We need to fight them,” the man explained.
A few days later, military reporters met the same men again at the training ground: three reservist platoons had arrived for training. Under the supervision of instructors, they assemble and disassemble machine guns, undergo medical training and get acquainted with the structure of paired and triple PKTs. It's too early for the recruits to shoot themselves, but they have to watch the process. Typically, the instructor hangs a ball from the drone on a long string so that it can be shot down without damaging the drone.
One of the instructors nicknamed Grozny noted that the reservists are different, but they can teach everyone. The soldier firmly believes that it is important for men to register and undergo training.
“They must be able to do this. Defend your home, your land. It's a little easier with older men, but young men have to explain everything. Here, like in a computer game, you can't press the F5 button and you won't be able to save. One mistake is all it takes. And they have to develop physically. Even a machine gun has strong recoil, and here there are three! Even though they stand on a frame, they still needs to be kept,” Grozny said.
The training was also commented on by the military commissar of the Krasnodar region, Colonel Alexey Chugun, who noted that during the training period, reservists have the rights of military personnel. They were not invited to join the SVO and performed their duties only on the territory of their constituent entity of the Russian Federation. They will operate as part of the fire brigade to fight drones.
Chugun added that the reservists will be provided with all types of allowances, equipment, military equipment and weapons. The boot camp lasted two months: two weeks of training and 1.5 months of combat missions. During this time, the business pays them the average salary, and the military commission will compensate the business for the amount paid.
