After-Action Report for Combat Operations OP2508-22-7 (PRIUTNOYE) and OP2508-29-1 (MIKHAILOVKA) in North Zagoria

 CLASSIFICATION: CHERNARUS DEFENSE FORCES - EYES ONLY

REFERENCE: AAR-43MRC-INT-20250830
COPY NO.: 1 of 5

TO: Commander, 43rd Mountain Rifle Corps, Maj. General Sergey Gladkov
CC: Deputy Commander ChCOG, Vice Admiral Boris Kravchuk; Commander Intelligence ChCOG, Rear Admiral Igor Kasatonov
FROM: Deputy Head of Intelligence Staff, 43rd Mountain Rifle Corps, Colonel Sergei Glukharev
DATE: 30 August 2025
SUBJECT: After-Action Report for Combat Operations OP2508-22-7 (PRIUTNOYE) and OP2508-29-1 (MIKHAILOVKA) in North Zagoria

1. REFERENCES:
(A) COMINT, SIGINT, and HUMINT reports from 43rd MRC Intelligence Staff, dated 26-27 Aug 2025.
(B) After-Action Debriefs: Task Force Commanders, OP2508-22-7 and OP2508-29-1.
(C) SitReps from 4th Bn, 10th Sep Tk Bde and 2nd Bn, 19th Sep Mech Cav Regt.
(D) Operational Orders 2508-22-7 and 2508-29-1.

2. BACKGROUND:
On 27 August 2025, intelligence assets from the 43rd MRC and 10th Tk Bde identified a significant separatist force, estimated at reinforced battalion strength, preparing to assault and occupy the village of PRIUTNOYE. Intercepts confirmed advanced enemy elements were already in contact with local constabulary and civilians. In response, 4th Battalion, 10th Separate Tank Brigade, was ordered to form a task force (TF) and deploy to intercept and destroy the enemy main force. This operation was designated OP2508-22-7.

3. SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:

a. Operation OP2508-22-7 (PRIUTNOYE DEFENSE/EXTRACTION):
TF 4th Bn arrived at PRIUTNOYE on the evening of 27 AUG 25, engaging enemy advanced parties and technicals. Our forces established a defensive perimeter on the northern edge of the village. The enemy initiated intense, coordinated armored and mobile infantry attacks under cover of darkness. These attacks were repelled with significant enemy losses, though friendly forces sustained casualties and material damage.

During the defense, the TF Commander became aware of a downed pilot 2km NE of PRIUTNOYE. A recovery team was dispatched under escort of a single T-55 tank. The recovery was successful; however, the escort tank was engaged and destroyed by an enemy T-72 at extreme range (~4000m) from the village of MIKHAILOVKA during its return. This engagement revealed a previously unknown enemy armored screen.

Upon return to PRIUTNOYE, the TF Commander assessed the situation. With mounting vehicle losses and identifying an enemy armor block forming to the south, he made the tactical decision to avoid a direct breakout. Elements of the task force (2nd and 3rd Squads, now dismounted) were ordered to fortify positions and await further instructions, while the command element attempted to exfiltrate to report.

The Command Squad, during its exfiltration, engaged and destroyed two disabled enemy BMPs in the woods. Upon reaching MIKHAILOVKA, they encountered the core of the enemy armor block (1x T-72, 1x T-55, 1x BMP). After destroying the BMP and expending all anti-tank ammunition on the T-55, the dismounted squad was extracted by their BMP, now driven by the recovered pilot, and successfully evaded the enemy position to return to base.

b. Operation OP2508-29-1 (MIKHAILOVKA RELIEF):
On 29 AUG 22, a relief operation was launched to break the enemy armor block at MIKHAILOVKA, enabling the stranded TF at PRIUTNOYE to withdraw. The operation was reinforced by elements of 2nd Bn, 19th Separate Mechanized Cavalry Regiment.

Intelligence gathered during the assault confirmed the enemy operation in MIKHAILOVKA was not solely a military blocking action. The separatist forces were under the direction of a civilian criminal command group conducting "cleansing operations," involving the abduction and execution of local civilians. Documentation seized from eliminated command operatives confirmed these war crimes.

The assault on MIKHAILOVKA was a coordinated, multi-axis attack. Friendly forces rapidly penetrated the enemy cordon, destroyed supply and armored vehicles, and neutralized enemy infantry. Intense enemy counter-attacks were broken up by effective counterfire at ranges no closer than 500m.

With the enemy block broken and their command structure decapitated, the way was cleared for the remnants of the PRIUTNOYE TF (four dismounted rifle squads and one T-72 tank) to withdraw successfully to base without further casualties.

4. ASSESSMENT:

a. Enemy:

• Demonstrated improved tactical coordination, particularly in night fighting and the use of long-range armor engagements.

• Employed a deliberate strategy of establishing deep armor blocks to isolate and destroy friendly units.

• Operations in MIKHAILOVKA confirmed a shift towards targeted violence against the civilian population (war crimes), indicating a terror-based strategy.

• Enemy Losses (Confirmed): 4x BMP, 2x T-55, 2x T-72, 2x Technicals, 1x BTR. Significant infantry casualties estimated.

b. Friendly:

• Tactical commanders demonstrated critical initiative and flexibility under fire, particularly during the exfiltration from PRIUTNOYE and the defense of the village.

• The decision to launch a dedicated relief operation (OP2508-29-1) was correct and prevented the encirclement and potential destruction of the stranded force.

• The recovery of intelligence on enemy war crimes is of significant strategic value.

• Friendly Losses: 1x T-55 tank, multiple BTRs. Task Force Commander and his XO (OP2508-29-1) were KIA by enemy UAV attack.

5. PERSONNEL ACCOUNTS (Relevant Excerpts):

• TF Commander, OP2508-22-7: "Moving the remnants of the task force through Mikhailovka, even if it was at night, would have been suicide. I would not, I could not issue that order."

• Acting TF Commander, OP2508-29-1: "I read those orders and I could not believe it. They were killing civilians... They were crazy."

• Lt Colonel Dmitry Ostrovsky, 4th Bn Commander: "Task force commanders have such wide leeway in the field... he alone bears the responsibility for the results of his decisions."

6. CONCLUSION:
Operations OP2508-22-7 and OP2508-29-1 were successful in denying the enemy a key objective (PRIUTNOYE), rescuing a downed pilot, and destroying a significant enemy force and its command element. The operations also uncovered evidence of systematic war crimes. While costly, the actions of the tactical commanders on the ground were justified and ultimately preserved combat power. The enemy's use of long-range armor and deep blocks is a new tactical development that requires immediate dissemination and counter-doctrine development.

S.GLUKHAREV
COLONEL, CHERNARUS DEFENSE FORCES
DEPUTY HEAD OF INTELLIGENCE STAFF
43RD MOUNTAIN RIFLE CORPS

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