RESTRICTED//OPERATIONAL SECURITY
1st Army Corps After Action Report: OP2602-27-2 (Counterattack on Kabanino)
TO:
Major General Yuri Stytskovsky, Commander, Chernarus 1st Army Corps
Major General Vassily Chernyakov, ChCOG Senior Staff Intelligence Analyst
Admiral Vadim Ivanov, Commander, Chernarus Coastal Operations Group
FROM:
Colonel Alexey Agopyan, Deputy Head of Intelligence Staff, 1st Army Corps
DATE: 1 March 2026
CLASSIFICATION: RESTRICTED//OPERATIONAL SECURITY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On 28 February 2026, 2nd Battalion, Chernarus 4th Separate Light Mountain Rifle Brigade, reinforced by 1st Battalion, Chernarus 19th Separate Mechanized Cavalry Regiment, conducted Operation KABANINO (OP2602-27-2), a deliberate counterattack against separatist forces occupying the strategic village of Kabanino. The operation was conceived as a response to the failed meeting engagement at Rogovo (OP2602-20-5) on 24 February, which had resulted in a costly retreat.
The Kabanino counterattack achieved all operational objectives: the village was secured, enemy forces were routed with catastrophic losses, and four civilian prisoners—including two local agents—were recovered. Critically, the operation severs enemy lines of communication along the major east-west highway, denying separatists the ability to consolidate gains across Chernarus.
Friendly losses were light. Enemy losses, while not precisely counted, were described by participating units as "catastrophic" and sufficient to cause "considerable delay" in future separatist operations.
1. SITUATION AND INTELLIGENCE
1.1 Strategic Context
The operation responded to the failed meeting engagement at Rogovo (OP2602-20-5) on 24 February, in which separatist forces committed every available vehicle to a massive attack that forced government forces to retreat. Damage to 2nd Battalion, 4th Separate Light Mountain Rifle Brigade was severe, requiring a minimum of one week to prepare for counterattack.
1.2 Enemy Situation at Kabanino
Strategic Value: Kabanino sits atop a major east-west highway, controlling lines of communication across both eastern and western Chernarus
Garrison: Reinforced following Rogovo success; composition included armor, infantry, and artillery assets
Atrocities: Four civilians taken prisoner—two local friendly agents, two innocent civilians. Local agents reported hearing screams from prisoners, indicating torture
1.3 Intelligence Sources
HUMINT: Local friendly agents confirmed reinforcement and provided prisoner location data
Electronic Intercepts: Email and text message traffic supplemented agent reports
Drone Overflights: Confirmed enemy dispositions and artillery positions
Prisoner Exploitation: Post-operation debriefing of rescued civilians provided additional intelligence
2. FRIENDLY FORCES
2.1 Task Force Composition
| Unit | Element | Equipment | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Bn, 4th Light Mountain Rifle Bde | 2nd Squad | Dismounted infantry | Southeast penetration |
| 2nd Bn, 4th Light Mountain Rifle Bde | 3rd Squad | Dismounted infantry | Southeast penetration |
| 2nd Bn, 4th Light Mountain Rifle Bde | 4th Squad | Dismounted infantry | Southwest assault (church objective) |
| 2nd Bn, 4th Light Mountain Rifle Bde | Command Squad | Dismounted infantry | Northern penetration / CP capture |
| 1st Bn, 19th Mechanized Cavalry Regt | Tank Section | 8x T-55 tanks | Main assault force |
| 1st Bn, 19th Mechanized Cavalry Regt | Reinforcing Tanks | 4x T-55 tanks | Troop transport / reinforcement |
| 1st Army Corps Artillery | Rocket Battery | 122mm multiple rocket launchers | Counterbattery / fire support |
| Corps Reconnaissance | Drone Section | 4x UAVs | Target acquisition / BDA |
2.2 Key Command Personnel
Brigade Commander, 4th Separate Light Mountain Rifle Brigade: Colonel Alexey Lushnikov
Task Force Commander: (Not specified in source)
1st Army Corps Artillery Commander: Colonel Pavel Gerasimov
1st Army Corps Counterbattery Commander: Colonel Evgeny Biyatov
3. OPERATION CHRONOLOGY
3.1 Preparatory Phase (24-27 February)
Following the Rogovo defeat, Colonel Lushnikov requested reinforcement from 1st Battalion, 19th Separate Mechanized Cavalry Regiment, rather than launching an immediate counterattack. Corps Commander Major General Stytskovsky approved, granting time for intelligence preparation and operational planning.
Artillery and counterbattery staffs began coordinated preparations for defeating enemy artillery, utilizing drone reconnaissance for target acquisition.
3.2 Deployment (28 February, Approx. 0400-0600 hrs)
Main Force: Eight T-55 tanks with four desant elements massed south of the rise south of Kabanino
Reinforcing Tanks: Four T-55 tanks (Tanks 7, 8 plus two others) prepared to transport four small rifle squads as reinforcements
Artillery: 122mm rocket battery positioned under Colonel Biyatov's command
Drones: Four UAVs deployed for artillery spotting and BDA
3.3 Counterbattle Phase (Approx. 0600-0700 hrs)
Drone reconnaissance located enemy artillery positions. Counterbattery fire from 122mm rocket battery neutralized enemy artillery, enabling ground maneuver.
3.4 Ground Assault (Approx. 0700-0900 hrs)
Southeast Axis:
2nd and 3rd Squads dismounted and began penetration operations against enemy defensive cordon
Four tanks provided direct fire support
Southwest Axis:
4th Squad dismounted early and advanced toward church objective
Transport vehicles (Tanks 7 and 8) maneuvered west to overwatch position on main east-west road
Northern Axis:
Command Squad dismounted and conducted penetration operation north
Primary objective: Locate and eliminate civilian criminal command operatives
Western Overwatch:
Two T-55 tanks positioned to observe main east-west road and open terrain to northwest
3.5 Key Objectives Secured (Approx. 0900-1000 hrs)
Command Operatives: After brief but intense firefight, Command Squad advanced to known location of two civilian criminal command operatives; both eliminated
Civilian Prisoners: Task Force Commander located prisoners; two female civilians evacuated south to Scout 1 (BRDM) for return to base
Casualties Among Prisoners: Two civilians killed; one young female showed signs of severe torture
3.6 Tank Engagement (Approx. 1000-1010 hrs)
Two T-55 tanks on western overwatch engaged multiple enemy vehicles, devolving into a tank-versus-tank gunfight lasting approximately 10 minutes:
Friendly Losses: One T-55 from 4th Squad destroyed; one T-55 from Command Squad destroyed
Enemy Losses: At least four tanks destroyed by friendly armor
Outcome: Enemy forces ceased counterattack attempts; clear loss of will to contest Kabanino
4. CASUALTY ASSESSMENT
4.1 Friendly Losses
| Unit | Equipment Lost | Personnel Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 4th Squad | 1x T-55 tank | Light (unspecified) |
| Command Squad | 1x T-55 tank | Light (unspecified) |
| Infantry Squads | None | Light |
| TOTAL | 2x T-55 tanks | Light |
4.2 Enemy Losses
Field Count Limitations: Reliable aggregate count not available due to operational tempo and focus on prisoner evacuation. Participating unit reports consistently describe enemy losses as "catastrophic," including:
Minimum 4 tanks destroyed (confirmed)
Additional armored vehicles damaged/destroyed (unconfirmed)
Infantry casualties severe
Artillery assets neutralized during counterbattery phase
Operational Impact: Losses sufficient to cause "considerable delay" in future separatist operations.
4.3 Civilian Casualties
Killed: Two civilians (executed by separatists prior to liberation)
Tortured: One young female (survived, evacuated)
Rescued: Two female civilians evacuated to base
5. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1 Operational Outcome
Primary Objective Achieved: Kabanino secured; east-west highway denied to enemy
Secondary Objectives Achieved: Command operatives eliminated; prisoners rescued
Strategic Impact: Last operation of winter campaign concluded successfully
5.2 Critical Success Factors
Deliberate Preparation: Colonel Lushnikov's refusal to rush counterattack allowed proper intelligence preparation and force concentration
Corps Reinforcement: 1st Battalion, 19th Mechanized Cavalry Regiment provided critical mass
Artillery-Counterbattery Coordination: Gerasimov and Biyatov effectively neutralized enemy artillery prior to ground assault
Drone Integration: Four UAVs enabled precise target acquisition and BDA
Tactical Flexibility: Western overwatch tanks successfully transitioned to anti-armor role
5.3 Key Lessons
Counterattack operations require adequate preparation time regardless of political pressure
Prisoner rescue missions can be integrated successfully with primary combat objectives
Tank-versus-tank engagements remain decisive in open terrain
Civilian atrocities by separatists confirm enemy disregard for Geneva Conventions
Light infantry-armor coordination effective when properly supported
6. RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Immediate Actions
Exploit Success: Maintain pressure on retreating enemy forces with reconnaissance elements
Secure Prisoners: Ensure rescued civilians receive medical care and psychological support; debrief for additional intelligence
Battle Damage Assessment: Commit additional drone assets to confirm full extent of enemy losses
Highway Security: Establish permanent checkpoint on east-west highway to prevent enemy re-infiltration
6.2 Future Operations
Follow-On Exploitation: Consider limited objective attacks against retreating enemy columns
Spring Campaign Planning: Use Kabanino as staging base for operations against remaining enemy strongholds
Intelligence Exploitation: Analyze documents recovered from civilian criminal command operatives
6.3 Long-Term Recommendations
Formalize drone-artillery coordination procedures at brigade level
Expand counterbattery capabilities with additional rocket artillery assets
Develop rapid reinforcement protocols for light infantry brigades
Document enemy atrocities for war crimes prosecution
Preserve momentum through spring with reconstituted armored forces
7. COMMANDER'S COMMENTS
The Kabanino counterattack demonstrates that with proper preparation, combined arms coordination, and intelligence integration, our forces can defeat separatist formations decisively while preserving combat power. Colonel Lushnikov's judgment in delaying the counterattack—despite political pressure—reflects mature command understanding and should be recognized.
The rescue of tortured civilians reminds us of the nature of our enemy and the moral imperative of our mission.
The winter campaign concludes with Kabanino as its final, successful operation. We enter spring with momentum.
— Maj. Gen. Yuri Stytskovsky
Commander, Chernarus 1st Army Corps
8. DISTRIBUTION
Commander, 1st Army Corps (Maj. Gen. Stytskovsky)
ChCOG Senior Staff Intelligence (Maj. Gen. Chernyakov)
Commander, ChCOG (Adm. Ivanov)
Commander, 4th Separate Light Mountain Rifle Brigade (Col. Lushnikov)
Commander, 19th Separate Mechanized Cavalry Regiment
1st Army Corps Artillery Command (Col. Gerasimov)
1st Army Corps Counterbattery Command (Col. Biyatov)
1st Army Corps Operations Staff
1st Army Corps Intelligence Staff
Colonel Alexey Agopyan
Deputy Head of Intelligence Staff
1st Army Corps
Chernarus Defense Forces
CLASSIFICATION: RESTRICTED//OPERATIONAL SECURITY
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