The Hot Summer Of Mariupol. Chapter 14
In the morning, Andrey was surprised to note that he slept well and woke up in a good mood. “That’s what a well-timed blow to an asshole’s liver does!” – Andrey thought with a smile and began to get dressed.
Due to the early hour, the whole group was there. Surprisingly, Sovetov was also on his bed and even muttered something like a greeting, turning to the wall. Andrey shrugged his shoulders in surprise and turned to Slava:
- What's wrong with him? – nodded at Ivan.
- I don’t know, - Torshin made a grimace. - He says he’s got a stomach ache. But he seems okay.
- Well, okay. So... - Andrey let Lopatenko enter the door. He was returning from his morning jog. – You’re doing great, Isee. I can’t bring myself to do it.
- And you, Andrey Ivanovich, haven’t you tried to drink less? – Vasya teased him, wiping his face with a towel. – Once you stop drinking, you’ll immediately have time for sports.
– Less talk! – Andrey playfully threatened. - You can discuss your seniors when you reach at least the rank of major.
He sat down on a chair and continued:
- Sergei, have you asked people about the sea?
Demchenko yawned widely and responded:
- Yeah. All agreed. The only thing is that it’s not clear with Vova, - he pointed his finger at Pyshny who immediately responded:
- I don't mind at all. I’m even for it. But how will it turn out with work? The locals have a lot of information at their disposal.
- Vova, I remind you that you don’t have to do all the work for the locals. Your task is to help, coordinate, control. By the way, while we’re on the subject, you’ll be at Kharaberyush’s today and do an analysis of promising topics. It will be necessary to throw it at Kondratyuk. The paper was sent yesterday. “Strengthen, deepen”, etc. Apparently, after the chief’s trip to the ATO, our department decided to become more active. Fine?
- Yeah, - Pushny shook his head. - I was just going to see them today.
- So, what do we decide? I spoke with Misha “Bulat”. He immediately agreed. They will give us rooms and promise us barbecue. Well, he says they have a great beach. I think we should go.
- Besides, - Demchenko added. – when will we geat a chance to rest at Yanukovych’s base again!
- Why, haven’t you been to Mezhigorye? - Torshin picked on him. – I thought your department was the first to be there with your charges.
Seeing the puzzled looks of his colleagues, Torshin clarified:
- Didn’t you know that the Right Sector is DZNGD’s[1] area of responsibility? And all radical groups, such as White Hammer or S-14, are working under their department.
- I haven’t heard about this, - Sergei turned the conversation to another topic. - So, who should we leave here?
Andrey solved this problem a long time ago.
- I have already reached an agreement with Lekha Marchenko, the “Beavers” senior. His duty shift will be on duty for us. And we’ll take him and another “Beaver” with us. The guys are good, they always meet you halfway. We need to make them happy them too. If anything happens, one of our guys will rush back. It takes about half an hour to get there.
For some time there was a heated discussion about the menu and list of drinks. Although, Andrey warned them they should not get drunk - in case there’s an urgent call.
They decided that everyone would go. Torshin, Demchenko and Sovetov were sent to the store, charging them with a sum of money.
- Well, we are aiming for departure at about 8 PM. In the evening we’ll have barbeque, vodka, night swims. In the morning we’ll have a slight hangover, go for a swim and sunbathe, and head to the base by 3 p.m.
In a good mood, Andrey went to the meeting. Nothing unpleasant happened there either. Rudnitsky routinely criticized commanders and their deputies, seeking to improve the quality of service at checkpoints around the city.
- Yesterday I was driving through a checkpoint, and in front of me was some local tough guy. And our fighter lets him through without inspection. He even waved his hand, - “Ascetic” droned irritably. - I stop and say: “Fighter come to me!” And he looks at me like an idiot and says: who are you for me to come to you?!
It seemed that “Ascetic” was about to explode with anger. The seated officers bit their lips to keep from laughing. Only the commander of the Vinnytsia Terrestrial Defense Battalion sat pale - it was his subordinate who got into trouble.
- Can you imagine?! He says to me: who are you? In short, I arrested both the fighter and his commander. They are now sitting in a kung near the “Library”. “Bulat”, do you hear? Don't let anyone in to see them. Let them steam in the heat until tomorrow! – Rudnitsky turned to Andrey.
– Yes, sir, Comrade General. I got it, - Andrey pretended to note what was said in his notebook.
- Like this…. And keep in mind - I will drive like this all the time. God forbid I catch someone sleeping or fooling around on duty! He who sleeps in war dies! If you don't like it, report it and fuck off! Or transfer to sector “D” over there. There they will quickly explain to you how to love your Motherland.
The educational “five minutes” did not last long, only about half an hour. After which Andrey happily went outside.
There, the commander of the Vinnitsa territorial battalion approached him.
- Andrey Ivanovich, I would like to see my people...
- Well, you heard what the commander said? – Shevchenko answered his question with a question. – Do you want to set me up?
- Yes I understand. The morons are guilty, of course... Only the senior's wife is giving birth. He should talk to her. And get them some water and all sorts of juices in there.
Andrey looked around, pretending to look for strangers nearby. In fact, he, of course, decided to allow him to see the detainees. But it was necessary to make sure that the battalion commander was imbued with a feeling of sincere gratitude.
- Viktor Sergeevich, let's do it this way. Now I’ll go with a soldier to check all the prisoners. There will be no one at the guardhouse. Here’s the key, take it, - he handed the curved piece of iron to the lieutenant colonel. - I’ll send the fighter to breakfast later, I’ll be his relief. You have 10 minutes, no more.
- Thank you, Ivanovich! – the battalion commander shook his hand with feeling. - I will owe you one!
- Okay, we’ll settle it later, - Andrey answered condescendingly and headed off to fulfill his promise.
Everything went without a hitch. Andrey knew that “Ascetic” himself never looked at the detainees. And this morning a delegation from the mayor’s office came to see him, so he definitely won’t leave his office for at least an hour.
The bright Azov sun had already gradually crept towards lunch, and Andrey was quietly thrilled on his veranda, reading the news from his laptop. At this moment, of course, the radio went off. “Gate” warned that they had brought a cunning prisoner.
Cursing to himself with the dirtiest words at those who do not value the Saturday rest, Andrey trudged to the gate. What he saw really surprised him: under the escort of the “Dnepr” raid group there was a brand new Toyota RAV 4 SUV with Lithuanian license plates.
A strong man of about 30, in camouflage pants, combat boots and a cheerful light green T-shirt, stood on his knees, with a traditional bag on his head at the wall of the terminal. Two girls, dressed brightly and vulgarly, were sitting nearby on the asphalt. “They look like prostitutes,” thought Andrey, approaching the senior of the raid group.
- Hello, Sasha. What kind of circus is this?
- Hello, - Sasha “Stalker” was one of the few in “Dnepr” who was not at all involved in looting and other unpleasant things. Therefore, he probably rarely showed up at the “Dnepr” base, preferring to conduct reconnaissance along the border, in the suburbs of Donetsk and in other hot spots. For which Andrey even respected him.
- This is not the circus. The circus is here,- Sasha opened the trunk of the SUV with a magician’s gesture, - Please.
In the trunk on the floor there were an AKS assault rifle with an under-barrel grenade launcher, an unloading system chock full of magazines and grenades, and two fashionable Cordura holsters with Makarov pistols inside.
- Not weak, - Andrey whistled. - Why such wealth?
- They were also crazy about it at the checkpoint, - Sasha grinned. - And we happened to be close. So they asked us to bring them to you. Well, you figure it out further.
- Okay, let's figure it out. Why are you in such a hurry? Long time no see.
- I can’t, Andrey, - Sasha made a guilty face. - Our people are clearing Maryinka there. “Azov”, “Shakhtersk”, the AFU. We are, like, supposed to be helping them. Now let’s change into clean clothes, replenish ourselves and go there again.
– How is it there? – Andrey asked quietly.
- Well, it seems fine. The losses are small. The AFU officers first came in, then left. They say, go first, then we’ll get involved, - Sasha shrugged. - Sorry, but I really don’t have time.
Andrey took out his phone and called Sanya Tarasenko.
- Let's go to the "Library". The boys left, and I need someone else. And grab Lopatenko too.
While waiting for his guys, he approached the kneeling man.
- Is the machine gun and equipment in the trunk yours?
- Mine,” he answered dully. – The question is who are you?
- SBU, - Andrey briefly introduced himself.
- Can I see the ID?
- Aren't you forgetting yourself, my dear? Maybe I should also tell you my home address? – Andrey was surprised.
- No, don’t think wrong. I'm just an officer myself. From the 72nd brigade. A major. The ID is in the hip pocket, with a zipper.
- Oh, that’s how it is! – Andrey was even more surprised. - Well, come on, lower your arms and slowly take it out. Don't take off the bag.
The man actually put his left hand into his hip pocket and took out the gray booklet of his officer's identification card. He extended it into the unknown, without seeing the interlocutor. Andrey grabbed his hand and began to study the document.
- So, Major Sergei Yuryevich Onishchenko, battalion commander of military unit A-2167. Native of Berdichev, etc. and so on. What kind of battalion are you, like, commanding?
- Brigade reconnaissance battalion, - the man still answered dully.
- So you’re a scout, - Andrey drawled. - Okay, take off the bag and turn around.
The man, with obvious relief, pulled off the sweaty and smelly bag.
- Thank you... Can I get my ID back? – he extended his hand.
- Not so fast, - Andrey slapped the book on his outstretched fingers. – Are those your weapons?
- Yes, standard. It is included in the ID card.
- What, and two pistols are included? – Andrey narrowed his eyes.
- No, just one. The second belongs to our intelligence chief. He and I parted last night. I got a car. So he left the pistol with me so that there would be no trouble. And he left with a woman.
- What woman?
- How do I know, - the man shrugged. - He got her at a club and left with her.
- So you stayed?
- Why? I left too. With these, - Onishchenko nodded towards the girls with heavy make-up. - We went to the sea. We drank there all night. In the morning we went to the bathhouse.
- To the bathhouse in the summer. Quite eccentric, - Andrey muttered.
Seeing that his two guys had appeared, he commanded:
- So, guys, take these, hmm..., girls to separate rooms. Ask them where they met our guy, when, what he said, where the guns came from, where they wnet and so on. Well, you and I, - Andrey opened his ID again, - Sergey Yuryevich Onishchenko, let’s go and talk. As it turns out, the 72nd Brigade escaped from encirclement with tremendous losses. Personnel are being assembled throughout the Donetsk region, and its reconnaissance battalion commander is driving around Mariupol with a trunk full of weapons and with prostitutes.
- Hey, we're not prostitutes! – one of the girls was indignant.
- Shut up! – Tarasenko barked at her. - Let's go inside!
The conversation turned out to be short. Onishchenko said that after leaving the Izvarin cauldron he was left practically without his battalion. He was with the brigade headquarters. Well, on Friday the brigade commander released him and the intelligence chief to Mariupol to “get some air” for a couple of days.
- You know what I had to go through, - he said with stern tragedy in his voice. - God forbid you experience this... After this, it’s a sin not to have fun.
- Of course, it’s a sin, - Andrey agreed. – Where did you get the car with Lithuanian license plates?
- Well, I don’t remember already. We’ve had it for more than a month... And the Lithuanian plates are for cover. The real ones are in the trunk too.
- So, they released the car. You understand that I will check. If it's wanted, you're at risk of car theft charges. Minimum.
- Yes, just contact my command. Both my identity and my car will be confirmed to you. What's wrong with that? All of the ATO drive in appropriated cars, what theft are you talking about? – Onishchenko was sincerely perplexed.
- Okay, you'll have to stay with us for now. Let’s go, I’ll hand you over to the duty officer and go find out from your superiors what the reconnaissance battalion commander is doing in someone else’s sector...
Vasya and Sanya, having interviewed the “girls,” did not add anything particularly informative. Yes, they met this guy yesterday in a night pub on the embankment. Yes, they drank together all night: “He’s generous. We were treated to champagne and martinis!” Then they swam at night and went to the sauna. They slept until lunch and went back to have fun.
- They say: why, there are a lot of military people here now. They have plenty of money, and they waste it generously. But it’s summer, it’s time to relax. So the girls try to pick out such gentlemen and go out with them. It turns out to be a good time for free. And what, why, what for – they don’t care at all, - Tarasenko said.
– They don’t care, - Andrey repeated. – Show these girls photos of those who were raped. Maybe they would wise up...
- No, Ivanovich, it’s impossible. They only see the money. They are ready for anything. Mine actually said this: “You are a young man, prominent, don’t you want to relax? I know such places in Mariupol... You’ll fly away!”
- That's what she said - fly away?! – Andrey burst out laughing. - Be careful not to fly away. Otherwise you will get an infection on your penis and you will be treated after the rotation.
- No, no, am I a fool? It's disgusting to look at them. How can one be so hungry for sex as to fall for such “beauties”?
- Yes, this major says that he drank all the time. Even now there is such alcohol stink from him that mosquitoes burn out as they approach... Okay, Sanya, run the car license through the cops. The major says the real plates are in the trunk. And I am off to the commander, we will decide what to do with this major.
Andrey reported the detainee to Rudnitsky. He grimaced with displeasure:
- Well, why the hell did you bring this to me? What am I going to do this?
- Well, I thought you wouldn’t miss the opportunity to give the army guys a hard time once again? – Andrey grinned. – After all, the situation is slippery: the brigade is trying to restore combat effectiveness after serious losses, and its reconnaissance battalion commander is carousing with prostitutes at a resort! Yes, on an appropriated car. And with service weapons without any accompanying documents. Moreover, one of the pistols belongs to his immediate superior. Yes, you can press some sore spots with this!
- Hmm, that’s a good idea, - the chief of staff said. - The military can be given a good punch on the nose. And if you report to Kiev, then even worse.
- Well... yes, perhaps, - Rudnitsky thought seriously. - Where have you put him so far, this major?”
- He was put in thr guardhouse kung.
- So let him sit there for now. Thanks for the work. Let me deal with this myself further on. I'll call someone. – “Ascetic” bared his teeth and firmly shook hands with Andrey.
- Just tell me the results, please, - Andrey asked. - What if something comes in handy for me too… - “Ascetic” nodded majestically.
– I sure will. And in general, everything you need, come and get it from Viktor Andreevich. – “Ascetic” nodded towards the chief of staff.
- Thank you, Comrade General. I will definitely take your offer...
The car turned out to be clean and was not on the list of stolen ones. Its owner was listed as a businessman from Amvrosievka. Sanya sadly joked that most likely the owner really did not put the car on the wanted list, since it would be difficult to do this from the grave...
On Monday, a whole delegation of army men came to pick up the major. At first they tried to play some power games. But Andrey quickly silenced them by presenting materials collected by his employees: reports from the checkpoint, explanations from prostitutes, inspection reports of weapons and cars.
- Well, shall we transfer all this to the military prosecutor's office? New ones just arrived here, from Western Ukraine. They need to show some results...
In short, the soldiers took away their major. Apparently, his prospects were not the most rosy. What Rudnitsky bargained for himself, Andrey did not know. Andrey himself received a complete breakdown of the deployment of forces and assets of the Armed Forces of Ukraine opposite Donetsk, a table of call signs and a schedule of rotations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the sector. In the end, everyone was happy... Especially the Center.
Well, another thing happened that evening. Again Andrey was called by “Gate”. This time a group of “Azov” guys arrived and brought a middle-aged man.
- Well, what is it this time? – Andrey asked impatiently. The time was running out for them to go to the sea.
– A spotter for the separatists, - the senior group leader snapped. - Everything is serious. We took him near Maryinka. They were clearing it there, and he was watching us with binoculars from a height. They spotted him by the glare. The boys came up and tied him up. Think about it, he specifically used a motorcycle to make it easier to ride on country roads. Well, now you hold all the cards.
Andrey looked doubtfully at the captured “spotter”. He did not give the impression of being a serious militia agent. However, appearances can be very deceiving. Andrey knew this very well. So he waved his hand to the duty officer:
- Take him in. How many do we have there, in the big one?
- Already six. Maybe to the small one? There are no women yet...
- Fine, - Andrey nodded, after thinking. - We’ll deal with him tomorrow. Although... someone will come over now.
Returning to his place, he was the first to see Vova Pyshny, who came up to bring Andrey files on the promising developments of local counterintelligence agents.
- Oh, - Andrey rejoiced, the beast runs to the hunter. Vova, give the flash drive to me and quickly go to the “Library”. The “Azov” team brought a spotte. Question him quickly. Order checks of his phone calls. We'll look into it seriously tomorrow. Just hurry up, it's time to go!
Not listening to Pyshny’s indignation, Andrey moved towards his room to look through the materials on the flash drive. Pyshny tumbled in after him:
- Well, Andrey, what a setup! We are already getting ready to leave!
- Vova, don't make me angry. We won't leave without you. So the faster you finish, the faster we'll go. That's it, go! We’ll load everything without you!
[1] DZNGD – department for the protection of national statehood (power).