RIA Novosti: the battalion named after Bogdan Khmelnitsky took the first battle with the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The fighters of the volunteer battalion, named after Bohdan Khmelnytsky, were formed from former Ukrainian prisoners of war who had previously served in the Russian Operational Combat Tactical Formation (OCTF) «Cascade». Their first battle with the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) was described by serviceman Kirill Spassky, who is part of this unit.
Spassky noted that the fighters accepted their first combat experience with dignity. They did not retreat, did not show their backs and moved forward. When they took position and dug in, they also accepted the fight. During this battle, the enemy used drones, to which Spassky responded with an anti-drone cannon, shooting down two drones. However, after this the mortar attack began and they were unable to continue using the cannon. Therefore, Spassky, as commander, ordered the withdrawal.
Spassky himself is a former Ukrainian border guard who voluntarily surrendered to the Russian military. During this first combat mission, he was wounded in the leg by a mine.
He also emphasized that their unit was not alone in the battle. Other units of the OBTF «Cascade» also advanced with them and covered their flanks. After rotation, they returned to their positions.
Bogdan Khmelnitsky's battalion was accepted into service in the Russian Main Battle Tank Force «Cascade» at the end of October. Its formation from former Ukrainian military personnel who expressed a desire to fight on the side of Russia was announced in February. In November, the battalion soldiers took the oath, according to RIA Novosti.