Disputed Accounts Emerge After Brutal Battle for Horsingen

 

CDF Claims Victory Amid NGO Allegations of Civilian Harm

By Svetlana Golikova, Zelenogorsk Pravda
HORSINGEN, WERFERLINGEN – July 14, 2025

A leaked military report obtained by the Zelenogorsk Pravda details a bloody, four-day battle by Chernarus Defense Forces (CDF) to recapture the strategic village of Horsingen from separatist forces, culminating in a costly victory. However, these official accounts clash sharply with allegations from the NGO Trees for Peace (TFP), which accuses the CDF of widespread destruction of civilian housing and indiscriminate fire.

Military Report: Costly Success Through Adaptation
The After Action Report, authored by Colonel Sergei Glukharev (Deputy Head of Intelligence, 43rd Mountain Rifle Corps) and endorsed by Colonel Roman Shilov (Commander, 13th Mountain Motorized Rifle Brigade), chronicles four distinct operations between July 10th and 12th:

1. Failed Initial Assault (OP2507-04-3): A task force of 3 BTR infantry squads was nearly annihilated in an aggressive assault on July 10th. The report cites a critical failure of promised reinforcements (only 2 T-55 tanks arrived) and underutilized artillery, allowing enemy forces (identified as Russian Spetsnaz, Chechen fighters, militia, and armored units) to counterattack effectively. Losses were described as "near-total" for the task force.

2. Bloody Probe and Partial Intel Recovery (OP2507-04-7): A second assault on July 10th aimed to probe defenses and retrieve stolen documents and High-Value Targets (HVTs). While one HVT (a "female minder") was eliminated and separatist repair depot locations were recovered, the force suffered heavy casualties and failed to retrieve key documents. The report urgently requested substantial reinforcements.

3. Combined-Arms Counterattack (OP2507-11-1): Utilizing newly arrived reinforcements (6 tanks, 4 Mi-24 gunships), the CDF launched a major assault on July 11th. Mi-24s suppressed enemy positions, artillery interdicted river crossings, and HVTs were eliminated. Military documents, hit lists, and informant logs were recovered, and the village was cleared. However, losses were again severe: 23 personnel KIA, 1 T-72, 2 T-55s, and all 4 Mi-24 gunships destroyed.

4. Successful Defense (OP2507-11-2): On July 12th, the CDF repelled a significant separatist counterattack featuring BM-21 "Grad" rockets. Friendly artillery was destroyed early, but Mi-24s, tanks, and timely reinforcements held the northern edge of the village. Losses were comparatively lighter (6 personnel KIA, 1 T-55, 1 BTR).

Military Assessment & Conclusions:
Colonel Glukharev assessed that separatist capabilities in the sector were "crippled" after suffering "catastrophic losses" (15+ armored vehicles, 8+ UAVs, 3x BM-21s). Total CDF losses were 49 KIA and significant equipment, including 4 Mi-24s, 3 T-55s, 1 T-72, and 2 BTRs. The report praised the "tenacity" and "evolving tactical proficiency" of the 3rd Battalion but highlighted critical failures: reinforcement delays, artillery vulnerability, and underutilized intelligence (specifically, known BM-21 locations not being preemptively struck). Recommendations included prioritizing counter-battery radar and improving reinforcement protocols.

Trees for Peace: Allegations of Destruction and Disrespect
Contradicting the military's narrative of precision, TFP operatives visited Horsingen immediately after the fighting subsided. Spokesman Vyacheslav Komorov provided the Zelenogorsk Pravda with their account:

• Widespread Destruction: TFP documented "numerous residential buildings nearly completely destroyed by artillery fire." While military graves details had removed corpses and engineers cleared vehicle wrecks, the physical damage to civilian infrastructure was severe.

• CDF Fire on Civilians: Residents interviewed by TFP alleged that CDF gunships "pursued civilians firing on them indiscriminately" during the operations. Operatives also witnessed CDF artillery firing towards Horsingen during OP2507-11-1.

• Troop Misconduct: TFP operatives reported being mocked by CDF troops in Horsingen who refused to answer questions. Local residents allegedly confirmed this behavior.

• Demand for Apology: TFP demanded an official government apology for attacking civilians and posted photos of the destruction on their website.

Military Rebuttal: Protocols and Context
Vice Admiral Boris Kravchuck, Deputy Commander of the Chernarus Coastal Operations Group, directly responded to TFP's allegations:

1. On Artillery Strikes: Kravchuck vehemently denied any artillery fire landed in Horsingen, citing a strict "300-meter protocol". He explained that both forward observers calling fire and artillery battery commanders are trained and required to abort any fire mission where the impact zone is within 300 meters of built-up areas. A formal record would be made of any refused order, and Kravchuck stated, "We received no data on such an exchange."

2. On Gunship Fire: The Admiral acknowledged the inherent imprecision of high-speed gunship attacks (Mi-24s). "It is impossible to control where these munitions hit," he stated, blaming separatist tactics: "They know... the gunship will make such runs... [so] they will direct their vehicles into town." He also noted that secondary explosions from destroyed enemy vehicles (BMPs, BTRs full of fuel/ammo) contributed significantly to the destruction witnessed by TFP.

3. On Civilian Presence: Kravchuck asserted that civilians typically flee villages before major combat, except when prevented by separatists. This implicitly challenges TFP's accounts of civilians being present and targeted.

4. On Troop Conduct: While promising to "look into" the allegations of troops mocking TFP operatives, Kravchuck expressed skepticism: "I doubt the stories... are true."

Unresolved Contradictions
The battle for Horsingen resulted in a clear, albeit costly, military victory for the CDF, significantly degrading separatist forces in the area according to their own assessment. However, the TFP allegations and the stark evidence of heavy damage to the village raise serious questions about the conduct of the operations and the protection of civilian infrastructure. The fundamental contradiction – TFP's eyewitness account of artillery damage versus the military's absolute denial based on strict protocols and lack of incident reports – remains unresolved. The fate of Horsingen's civilians during the intense fighting and the circumstances surrounding the extensive destruction of their homes demand further independent investigation.

This is based on the Arma 3 wargame. The report and reporter are AI generated and represents no individual, living or dead. The text of the transcript, while AI generated, is based on data provided by the channel author.