The Hot Summer Of Mariupol. Chapter 11
In the evening, “Beavers” called him to their place:
- Andrey, Kiev is calling for you there! They will call you back in 10 minutes.
- Got it, I'm coming.
After 10 minutes, Andrey spoke with the head of the SBU Department of Counterintelligence (DKR).
- Well, Andrey Ivanovich, are you sunbathing there in the south?
- That's right, Comrade General. Fruit, women, resorts! – Shevchenko answered cheerfully.
- That is great. I'm going to the ATO tonight for personal acquaintance. I'll start with your site. So meet me in the morning at 11 o'clock. Understood?
- Understood. How long will you be coming for?
- Not for long, don’t worry, - Kondratyuk’s chuckle was heard on the phone. - We’ll talk to the leadership of the sector, take a look at the city and at Kramatorsk. There's a lot to do.
- Yes, I understand. I’ll be waiting.
Andrey rubbed his face with his palms and froze for a moment. Big Lekha “Beaver” looked at his partner knowingly and asked carefully:
- Is everything bad? Are the bosses coming?
Andrey paused. Then he said:
- No... I’m just tired. A lot of dirt...
Lekha nodded sympathetically:
- Yeah, you don't look very good. Maybe I should give you a drink? We have homemade moonshine here...
Andrey waved his hand.
– Give me some. Otherwise I won’t fall asleep again until the morning.
The bosses arrived in three jeeps with “Alpha” as security. To the surprise of Andrey, who met Kondratyuk at the checkpoint, another man in camouflage got out of the car with him, without insignia, with a non-statutory haircut and stylish stubble. “Who is this?” – thought Andrey, mechanically pronouncing the prescribed words in front of Kondratyuk.
- Comrade General! The operational group of the central apparatus of the SBU in sector “M” works according to the assigned tasks. There are no sick or wounded. No problems. We have no requests or wishes.
- Come on, lieutenant colonel, don’t stand there like a stick, - the counterintelligence chief shook his hand firmly. - We’re not in the army, after all. – He turned to his companion. – Meet the Advisor to the Chairman of the SBU, Markiyan Romanovich Lubkivsky.
- Lieutenant Colonel Shevchenko, - Andrey answered the unshaven man’s greeting.
- Well, let’s go straight to the commander, - Kondratyuk looked at his watch, - the road is disgusting, we’ve lost a lot of time.
- Comrade General, the problem is that General Rudnitsky flew to Kramatorsk, to the ATO headquarters, at lunchtime yesterday. The chief of staff is Colonel Razhik.
- Well, let’s go to him, - Kondratyuk agreed. - Let the boys be fed. He nodded towards the “Alphas”.
- Of course, - Andrey nodded and waved to Sergei Demchenko. – Sergei, take the guys to the “Mustangs”’ dining room. I arranged so that they would feed our guys there.
The three of them walked to the headquarters.
- How are you doing here in general? – Kondratyuk immediately asked a question.
Andrey shrugged.
- Compared to Slavyansk, it’s calm. There are no fights.
- Well, yes, you’re a battle-hardened warrior among us, - Kondratyuk grinned. - Can you imagine, Markiyan, he ran under our mortars! I’m sitting in my office, and they call me from Dovgenkovoye: “Your lieutenant colonel was ambushed here!”
– Back then I was still a major, - Andrey automatically corrected.
Kondratyuk grinned:
- If you keep running around like this, you will soon become a colonel. Few people want to go on rotation. On a business trip for a day or two – that’s fine. But for a month or two – hell no!
- Certainly. You can get a “combat participant” status after only 24 hours, - Lubkivsky inserted. – The Chairman knows about this, and now this issue is being studied. So that only those who were actually in the ATO receive benefits. We don't need fake heroes. Otherwise, it turns out that someone is really defending the country, running under mortars, - he pointed his finger at Andrey. – And someone came from Kharkov to Izyum, brought some papers there and is also considered a participant in the ATO.
- Whoa, - Kondratyuk picked up. - We are now forming mobile groups in the department to work specifically in the ATO zone. Believe me, the problem is recruiting people. Now, of course, we are attracting new employees. I hope we can move the issue forward.
- Exactly! New people are needed. The Service turned out to be full of traitors. Crimea showed this. Over there at “Alpha”, a special department for the ATO is now being formed, - Lubkivsky was slightly out of breath from fast walking.
- Sorry, but which department is that? – Andrey asked.
- Oh, I forgot you don’t know, - Kondratyuk nodded understandingly. – Now we are setting up a new, 6th department in the Operational Center, to which we are recruiting only from among existing employees. Naturally, those who are fit in health and can pass physical tests. I don’t care – from operatives, signalmen or from the DES [1]. “Alpha” is really short on people. There are facilities all over the country and there is a lot of work in the regions. And in Kiev there is already a 50% shortage. So we are creating a separate management purely for the ATO.
- But an Alpha fighter needs to be trained for several years, - Andrey asked in astonishment. – How can we send them to the ATO?
- Oh, - Kondratyuk waved it off. – For the ATO at the first stage it will be enough. And in a couple of months they will learn on their own.
- And in general, - Lubkivsky interjected again, - in a couple of months we’ll
clear out these orcs [2], then it will be easier...
- Are you sure? – Andrey asked seriously. – Retreating units from the Izvarin cauldron are rolling through us here. I talked to several retreaters. So they somehow don’t really believe in victory.
- What is wrong? – Kondratyuk darkened.
- I send reports to Kyiv every day. I gave reports on these issues in several of them, - Andrey was surprised. -You haven’t read it?
- Do you know how many papers they bring me a day? I assign them to my deputy and that’s it...
Here Lubkivsky stopped and spoke with pathos:
- This is all temporary. I was the ambassador to Croatia and I know how they carried out Operation Storm against the Serbs. I suggested using this experience here, and now this issue is being considered. Even colleagues from Croatia flew in to share their experience. So we will dismember these monsters into several parts, cut off Donetsk and then finish them off. Croatia had a worse situation; there was practically no army. And now we have such a patriotic upsurge: the military registration and enlistment offices are overcrowded, the people are eager to fight for Ukraine.
- People alone are not enough, - Andrey shrugged his shoulders skeptically. – We need professionals in artillery and tank crews. Yes, even such a simple thing as trained infantry. And you also need equipment. Have you seen a “miracle” machine at the entrance to the airfield?
- Yes, yes, - Kondratyuk perked up, - I didn’t immediately understand what kind of shushpanzer [3] this was?
- Believe it or not, it’s an ordinary KamAZ. They sheathed it with metal rods and welded them horizontally. Now it is an armored vehicle of an unknown brand. The only question is that it has become much heavier, it heats up instantly because the entire engine has also been sheathed. In other words - a work of a Ukrainian “genius”! – Andrey finished to the laughter of the management.
- No, it’s more about the ingenuity of the nation! - Lubkivsky finished again with pathos.
Just at this moment they approached the headquarters.
The chief of staff of sector “M”, Colonel Razhik Viktor Andreevich, arrived with Rudnitsky to the ATO zone just a few days ago. After the introductions, everyone sat around the table in the commander’s office. Kondratyuk asked to outline the situation in the sector. Razhik hesitated noticeably. Seeing this, Andrey came to the rescue:
- Comrade General, may I please? Comrade Colonel has just arrived, and we have our own specifics... - feeling the grateful glance of the chief of staff, Andrey began to report.
Andrey had a really good grasp of the situation in Mariupol and the surrounding area. Of course: he gave the center unvarnished information on the situation in sector “M”. He had to receive a variety of information and constantly double-check it. He even talked about the forces and means of the border guards, including at sea, which Lubkivsky did not fail to note:
- Comrade General, I see that your lieutenant colonel knows his way around here perfectly!
- Of course, this is my man! – Kondratyuk smiled contentedly, looking up from his notes.
- Well, the overall picture is clear. In general, in the sector the main emphasis is on identifying the Russian underground and sabotage network, - summarized the head of the DKR. – You have no active hostilities. And it is not expected. Perhaps in the north of the sector in the event of an attack on Donetsk from the south. So for now, root out the agents, look for accomplices, especially in the authorities.
When Andrey’s superiors took their leave, Razhik sighed with relief. Andrey, winking at him, hurried to see Kondratyuk and Lubkivsky off.
- Comrade General, may I ask? How did the story with the Liverpool hotel end? – Andrey decided to ask the question that was tormenting him: is was not a trifle, this matter could lead to him being discovered.
Kondratyuk winced and, looking around, lowered his voice:
- You know, it was simple. In the encryption department one girl messed up and did not mark “Personally” when receiving the telegram. She explained that the messages kept coming and she was just snowed under. Well, then, by the time the telegram reached me in the usual way, many people had already seen it. From secretaries to a young boy who runs around to get codes in the encryption room. So there was a leak somewhere along the way. We'll find it, don't worry! – he patted Andrey on the shoulder and smiled encouragingly.
However, Andrey realized that this incident was already in the past for Kondratyuk and was not interesting to him. The investigation will be entrusted to one of the minor employees. It would last for years, if at all... It wasn't that he worried much, but he still felt relieved.
Kondratyuk and Lubkivsky said goodbye to Andrey at the cars and firmly shook his hand.
- Well done, Lieutenant Colonel. Keep working like that. Good luck!
“Good riddance, gentlemen bosses,” thought Andrey, looking at the departing cars. “Let’s go, Andrey Ivanovich, now you’ll write a big report to the Center. They talked a lot... Especially Lubkivsky... Damn, Rudnitsky is coming tomorrow, and we were going to go with him to the Amvrosievka area. And then Kharaberyush and Pyshny have been digging something all day. Not everyone gets around to asking. Vova has been spending the night in the department in Maryika for the second day. He doesn’t show up here... Apparently, they’ve come up with a serious case... I should find out.”
They liked his report in the Center.
In the evening, Andrey was summoned by Rudnitsky.
- Well, “Bulat”, tomorrow I’m going to sector “D”. They are now located near Amvrosievka. You will go with me? – the general looked inquisitively at Shevchenko
- Of course, Comrade General, I sure am, - Andrey nodded affirmatively. – I told you right away. I myself will be interested in talking, especially with colleagues who worked with the local military.
– That’s right, - added Rudnitsky. – You do that. And then we will compare the information each one of us received. It would be better...
In his room, Andrey was preparing the gear for tomorrow, when Vova Pyshny looked in on him.
- Wow! Are you going to war? – Vova was surprised, looking at a dozen magazines, four grenades and signal flares laid out on the table. Andrey had just started filling the magazines with cartridges and, looking up from this fascinating activity, pointed a dirty finger at Vova:
- Close the door! And sit down. Vodka is under the table, mineral water is there as well. Canned food in the box under the armor. Help yourself.
- That’s not what I’m after, - Vova muttered embarrassedly. Nevertheless, he fished out a can of stewed meat from the drawer and quickly began to open it with a knife. – Will you...?
- Yeah. Now I’ll just finish, wash my hands... Pour me a glass, please.
Andrey filled the tenth magazine. Vova, skillfully wielding a knife, made two huge sandwiches from black bread and stewed meat, cut green onions and rummaged under the table in search of vodka.
- Vova, don’t break anything there! There is valuable equipment there - my laptop. If you spill vodka on it, I’ll be sitting here at nights without movies. You better sit on the sofa, I’ll get everything myself right now.
Andrey pulled out a bottle of vodka from the huge box in which the “Kuplet” communication complex was transported and handed it to Pyshny.
- Pour it. I’ll go wash my hands.
When Andrey returned, vodka was already splashing in the mugs. There was also a bottle of mineral water and a plate of chopped vegetables and sandwiches.
- Food of the gods. Okay, let's have a drink, then let's talk about business.
They drank and ate with gusto.
- Damn, I got so tired today, I didn’t even eat properly, - Vova complained with his mouth full. - I want to eat like a crocodile.
- Why did you get tired? – Andrey asked. – What were you doing that was so important?
- Ah, - Vova waved his hand. – The locals have caught a trace of a real separatist, they are now developing the lead.
- Who is the guy? - Andrey asked in a feigned indifference, fishing out a more appetizing piece from a can of stew with a knife.
– This one businessman. He has bus services. He was an active participant in the referendum. He provided his vehicles to transport ballots and encouraged all his employees to participate. Openly advocates an alliance with Russia. He even provided drivers to transport militants to checkpoints and to patrol the city after the referendum.
- It’s strange, why didn’t he leave after June? – Andrey asked a reasonable question. – If he had gone to Donetsk, no one would have caught him.
- He has parents here, a brother and sister, and he, like, helps everyone. Maybe he'll flee. But we won’t let him, - Vova joked, putting the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth.
- OK. Here's what I think: you should give me the info on him. We need to report to Kiev, let them run his info through their records. And in general, accounting and control is important. Let the authorities see us rustling around here. By the way, did Kharaberyush come up with this lead?
- His boys, - Vova nodded. – One of the drivers leaked the info on this businessman. Apparently, he paid little wages or simply offended the person.
- I see, - Andrey drawled. The vodka he drank sharply pulled him to sleep. – Vova, tomorrow morning I’m leaving with “Ascetic”, towards Saur-Mogila. So you work according to your plan. I already warned Slava and Sergei. And make the young guy work more. It won’t do him good to hang out with Sovetov, he’ll learn bad things.
- Why are you going to Saur-Mogila?
- “Ascetic” wants to talk to the local commanders. Get the picture of the situation and establish contacts. There is military there, and he has only the National Guard. You know, there are no real forces here in this sector. If suddenly something happens, there’s nothing to stop it.
- Do you think the Russians will break through? – Vova grimaced skeptically.
- I don’t think so, - Andrey shook his head. – But the trip still can be useful.
– It’s all bullshit. Yes, it’s not good at the border. But we are surrounding Donetsk. And in Lugansk it’s also great. It is us who are attacking, not them, - Vova said passionately.
- I agree. That's it, let's go to sleep. I have to get up early, and my eyes are already closing on their own...
[1] DES -department of economic support..
[2] Orcs are creatures in the fairy tales of the peoples of Western Europe and in modern works of the fantasy genre. They bear a strong resemblance to goblins and are among the "standard" types of fantasy beasts. In the ATO, supporters of the DPR-LPR were often called this way by the Ukrainian side.
[3]Shushpanzer - a variety of amateur armored vehicles, amazing and/or ugly. The name combines two words: German. Schutzpanzer (“armored personnel carrier”) and a term that came into our speech from the Internet: “shushpanchik” is an animal that supposedly exists, but no one knows exactly what it looks like.