In an exclusive interview, Colonel Igor Lifanov of the 10th Separate Tank Brigade provides a tactical account of recent operations while adhering to the strict constraints of the General Political Agreement.
By Svetlana Golikova, National Defense Writer, Zelenogorsk Pravda
ZELENOGORSK — In the fog of war that blankets the North Zagoria conflict zone, separating victory from defeat often depends on which headquarters is releasing the report. In an exclusive interview this week, I sat down with Colonel Igor Lifanov, Commander of the 10th Separate Tank Brigade, to get a ground-truth assessment of three controversial engagements that have sparked fierce debate among military observers.
Facing rumors ranging from catastrophic defeat to effortless victory, Colonel Lifanov provided a clear-eyed assessment of his brigade’s recent actions in the villages of Novoselovka Perviy, Volnovakha, and Yelenovka. The picture he paints is one of operational success achieved at a significant, and sometimes "irreplaceable," material cost.
"We have been successful in the last three operations in either capturing towns and villages held by the enemy or preventing the enemy from capturing friendly towns," Col. Lifanov stated, setting a definitive tone regarding the outcomes.
Clearing Novoselovka Amidst Atrocity
The first operation, conducted in the village of Novoselovka Perviy, saw a brigade task force assault and clear separatist forces. While the military objective was achieved, the operation was overshadowed by a horrific discovery made prior to the assault.
Colonel Lifanov confirmed that his tactical commanders were aware of intelligence regarding the massacre of civilians by separatist-aligned "local levies" before the battle commenced. These reports, some of which have surfaced on social media and in podcasts by local residents, detail armed men rounding up civilians, loading them onto a bus, and executing them just outside the village.
"We know from sources within the village... that armed men had gathered up a number of civilians, loaded them into a bus, drove in a short distance from the village, for them to dismount, and then they were shot," Lifanov told me, his tone grave. He stated that the Task Force commander on the ground was specifically ordered to document the site. Photographs of the mass grave were taken and have been forwarded to brigade and corps-level intelligence, as well as criminal investigation staffs. "At the moment, that is all we can say about it," he added, noting that tactical conditions prevented any forensic work at the time.
Daylight Assault and Armored Losses
Regarding the subsequent battles, Colonel Lifanov was transparent about the cost of victory. In Volnovakha, during a daylight battle to recapture the village, the brigade lost one T-72 tank permanently. Two others were damaged but, thanks to the skill of maintenance crews, were "quickly returned to service."
Similarly, in Yelenovka, where troops intercepted a major enemy force attempting to capture the village, the brigade inflicted significant damage on separatist mobile units but again suffered the loss of a T-72, with another damaged and repaired.
The heaviest material losses occurred during the initial operation at Novoselovka. "Our forces suffered heavy damage, with one T-72 lost and one BTR lost," Lifanov reported. "Both were irreplaceable losses."
Despite these losses, the Colonel characterized overall personnel casualties as "moderate," based on preliminary reports, though he acknowledged he has yet to receive final numbers. This contradicts unofficial reports that have suggested regional hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed with casualties.
The GPA Mandate: "We Do Not Hold Territory"
Perhaps the most critical aspect of the interview addressed the strategic reality of the conflict. Despite the blood and treasure spent to secure these villages, Colonel Lifanov confirmed that Chernarusan forces are no longer in control of them.
"As you must be aware from the General Political Agreement (GPA), our forces will not be present in any of these towns or villages once the operation is concluded," he explained. Reinforcements are typically withdrawn within 12 to 24 hours, leaving the villages in civilian hands, regardless of the military outcome.
So, do we control the ground we fought for? I asked.
"By law and by the terms of the GPA, our forces are not allowed to hold any of these locales," Lifanov clarified. "They must be and remain in civilian control. The only time our forces will be in control is when we are encountering enemy forces. In those cases, they will be defeated."
When asked what is next for the brigade, the Colonel’s answer was stoic and placed the onus back on the separatists. "What is next is up to them."
The interview confirms that while the 10th Separate Tank Brigade continues to fulfill its tactical missions effectively, the strategic landscape of North Zagoria remains a volatile patchwork, where victories are measured in enemy casualties inflicted rather than territory held, and where the ghosts of atrocities like the one in Novoselovka Perviy continue to haunt the battlefields.
