The Hot Summer Of Mariupol. Chapter 18 + Epilogue
In the morning he was woken up by Sergei Demchenko.
- Andrey, the replacement has arrived! They will be with us in the evening.
- Well, good. Why yell? - Andrey turned over on the sofa. - Go, get ready. You'll go to the store after lunch...
And then Ian called.
- Ivanovich, did you hear your replacement is coming?
- Well, damn it, some secret that is! - Andrey sighed. – Does everyone in Mariupol know already?
- Almost, - Ian laughed. - In short, the boys and I invite you to sit with us for a while to say goodbye. Can you do it at lunchtime?
Andrey thought about it.
- Yes, it looks like nothing serious is planned. Let's do it at lunchtime.
- Deal! Come to “Frau Anna” restaurant.
Andrey wandered to the location of his group. There was a fair amount of bustle inside - people were actively packing backpacks and trunks, collecting simple souvenirs. Sergei Demchenko was busily packing two spent RPG-26 tubes into garbage bags.
- Where are you going with this? – Andrey laughed. - You’ve never fired a shot! And you don’t even know how!
- Ah! – Sergei waved it off. – Who will check there? Moreover, everything is written on the tube itself. And the commander asked me for this. And I’ll hang the second one in my office.
- Well, well, ranger. – Shevchenko grinned. - OK. Listen up.
The staff perked up.
- Our replacement arrives in the evening. They will be there around 7-8 pm. We must meet them as expected.
- What is there to think about, - Torshin interjected. - We’ll lay the table as usual. By the way, the “Dnepr” guys offered us a hare. A real one.
- Oh? Where did the get it? – Pyshny was amazed.
- They were patrolling somewhere to the north. And in their outfit there is one avid hunter. He brought a hunting rifle with him and carries it around all the time. He's shot game several times already. And then he found out that we had a replacement coming, so he offered it himself, - Slava explained.
- For money? Or what?
- Well, it seems like a gift, - Torshin answered hesitantly. - We need to clarify.
- Interesting, - Andrey nodded. - But where do we cook it?
- This is not a question, - Torshin interrupted again. - We’ll prepare just at their place. They not only know how to cook pilaf for themselves. They’ll stew us the hare, with potatoes, for example...
- Well, then get on with it. Initiative is punishable. Next - alcohol, vegetables and other sausages. Who will take charge for it? – Andrey looked around the group.
- Let me do it, - Demchenko turned his head. - I'm already ready. Give me a car, I’ll take someone, we’ll go to Amstor. Ivan will you come with me?
Sovetov muttered: “Okay, I’ll hit the road.”
- Great. Okay, I'm going to town. The locals want to tell me something before saying goodbye. By the way, think about which local representatives we can invite for a drink in the evening. To immediately get to know the replacements. I think this would be advisable.
- Oh, exactly! Presnyakov and his “Meerkats” need to be invited. Maybe local K-department, Kharaberyush... - colleagues began to discuss.
- So think about it. And also... Vova and Sanya, please check the “Library”. Anyone who is not of interest should be tossed out today. There is no point in leaving trash behind for our replacement to deal with.
- Uh, not everyone has been checked yet, - Pyshny tried to object.
- Vova, - Andrey waved his hand. – You know very well yourself. The replacement will spend several days delving into the matter. Do they need it - to deal with someone else;s detainees? Kick everyone out. They'll catch new ones in a week. There is no need for people to say about us that we left unfinished business.
- Okay, - Pyshny muttered in agreement. - We’ll leave only three of them there who are Kharaberyush’s detainees. We'll take the rest out of here. In total - five.
- Exactly, - Andrey nodded. He suspected that among the five people who were now being kept in the refrigerator and on whom the initial check was carried out, there were two non-random people. Two young men were detained on the train. During the initial survey, they behaved very insecurely, although they denied knowing each other, but their phones were linked. And the reason for coming to Mariupol from Donetsk was clearly far-fetched.
“Maybe paranoia, maybe not. In any case, let them walk. If they are such fools, they will get caught next time. If not, they will draw conclusions.”
Having given all the necessary orders, Andrey left for the city to meet with local colleagues.
They didn't stay with them for long, just a couple of hours. Everyone understood that Andrey would have considerable hassle associated with his departure. Therefore, no one insisted on a long feast. So, they drank a little, exchanged official phone numbers and birthday dates, and each went their separate ways.
Then, already at the base, Tsigun and Zhitenev drove up to him, who on behalf of the leadership of the SBU department came to say goodbye.
- Well, Andrey Ivanovich, I hope you will come to us again? – Zhitenev asked, shaking hands firmly and smiling slyly.
- Oh, no! It’s better if you come to us, to Kiev, - Andrey laughed.
- If you invite us, we’ll come, - Tsigun also laughed and took out a bag from the trunk, which, judging by the jingling, contained several bottles.
- Here you go, a little present. Yes, we also persuaded our Lizogub. Tomorrow a message will go to Gritsak with a request to award the employees of your group.
- Thank you for this, - Andrey showed joy. - Otherwise the boys won’t get anything from their business trip. Although Rudnitsky also promised to do it.
- Yes, of course! What about a day for three and double salaries? – two colonels laughed. - We’re sitting here and get nothing. And you came for a month - and you are heroes!
- Oh, don't be ridiculous. Poor, unfortunate things, - Andrey laughed in turn. - How you lost weight, with all your worries and troubles!
At the evening meeting, Andrey listened to the usual conversations with half an ear. At the very end, when Rudnitsky traditionally asked: “Questions, comments?”, Andrey asked permission and stood up.
- Comrade general, comrade officers, - Andrey, looking around at those present, chuckled slightly. - I wanted to say that my replacement is arriving this evening, so this is my last meeting. I want to say thank you to everyone who helped me and our entire group. It was a pleasure to work with you.
Those present hummed approvingly, and this roar was drowned out by Rudnitsky’s powerful bass.
- Well, I don’t think anyone can accuse our colleagues for slacking here. They did their work as it should be done: they worked with prisoners, went to captures, and worked in the field. So thank you for your service and good luck! And, “Bulat”! Come with your replacement to me as soon as he comes, at any time.
Closer to 8 PM the whole group was sitting on pins and needles. On the highway between Kuibyshevo, Zaporozhye region, and Mariupol, there was a significant “deaf” zone in mobile communications coverage, so there was no information from the replacement. Torshin and Sovetov, who rode out with the “Dnepr” patrol to meet them, were also silent.
- Fuck, where are they going? - Sanya Tarasenko breathed out once again. – They left Kiev at 6 am! We arrived here before 8 PM when we were coming!
- Well, they might have stopped along the way to eat, refuel, - Pyshny explained calmly, without looking up from the tablet on which he was enthusiastically chasing balls.
- They’ll keep going like this and they’ll arrive tomorrow, - Tarasenko muttered. - The guests are already gathering...
Presnyakov actually arrived at this moment. Although, alone, without his operas. And Kharaberyush promised to be there within half an hour.
At that moment, Andrey’s phone rang. It was Torshin.
- Andrey, we are already approaching! Get the hot food ready!
After some 15 minutes, a familiar minibus from the SBU Department of Supply, which was accompanied by a “Dnepr” bank van, drove up to the house where the group was located.
- Hooray! – Vasya Lopatenko exclaimed quietly next to Andrey. - Finally!
The senior group this time was Colonel from the ATC Alexander Nesterenko.
The meeting took place as usual - noisily, with some confusion and bustle.
Fortunately, Andrey immediately separated Nesterenko and dragged him to his room.
- Phew... So, look. This is now your “mansion”. There's a shower here. I tidied it up and scrubbed it. Under the table is a box from “Kuplet”. Keep your armor and helmet here.
- Have you ever worn them? – Nesterenko asked the question that worried him.
Andrey thought for a moment, then answered:
- Never the helmet. I put on the armor. For captures a couple of times, and for trips. Don't worry, it seems calm here. Then look over here...
For some time he was telling his replacement about the peculiarities of work in Mariupol and the sector, when the walkie-talkie hissed in the voice of the duty officer at the headquarters.
- “Bulat”, answer “Tower”.
- Oh, - Andrey grinned at his interlocutor. – The commander is 100% eager to see us. - And he pressed the radio button. - At the reception.
- “Ascetic” is calling for you, with the new “Bulat”.
- Got it. We’re coming, - Andrey put the walkie-talkie in his pocket and grinned again. - I told you...
Leaving the building, Andrey called Vova Pyshny:
- Vova, “Ascetic” is calling us. So wait for us for half an hour. If we don’t come, start. But we will come, - he playfully punched the counterintelligence officer in the stomach. The alcohol he drank earlier put him in a cheerful mood. - Let's go, Alex. To the formidable master of the Azov lands...
They were immediately allowed through to “Ascetic”. The general was frankly idle, lounging in a chair and watching TV.
- Aha, they have arrived, - he boomed in a satisfied tone.
- Comrade General, I present to you my replacement - Colonel Alexander Ivanovich Nesterenko. ATC of the SBU, - Andrey moved, opening Alexander’s passage to the general.
- Well, great, I’m Lieutenant General Rudnitsky Valery Ivanovich, commander of sector “M” - the hefty general looked like a giant next to the thin, if not frail, colonel of the Anti-Terrorism Center.
- We know each other, Comrade General, - Alex smiled. – I was in Izyum for a week back in April. You had just been appointed senior officer for the Donetsk region.
- Exactly, - the general rejoiced. – I thought I saw a familiar face!
- Now all of us who went through the ATO will become acquaintances, - Andrey, in turn, grinned.
- And that’s true, - Rudnitsky pointed his finger at him. - Now, come on, Andrey, close the doors. And you, - he nodded to Nesterenko, - help me.
A 700 gram bottle of Hankey Bannister whiskey appeared from the commander’s desk, and from the rest room Alexander brought a couple of plates with a simple snack pre-chopped.
- So, gentlemen, security officers, - “Ascetic” rubbed his hands. – With you, Andrey, I want to drink to your work. Well done! And with you - for the future, so that your work is no worse. It's clear?
- Of course, - they both agreed, only Nesterenko gasped quietly at the sight of the bottle.
Andrey even felt some awkwardness. He was sincerely praised by one of the leaders of the ATO, against which he carried out the main work. After all, he had to admit, he even liked Rudnitsky for his soldierly straightforwardness, courage and a certain decency. Yes, he could (and often did) curse an officer who messed up, simply trampling him into dirt. But he did it only for the sake of work. At the same time, he was not afraid to defend his own people in front of the leadership, took care of ordinary soldiers and was the first to get out into the most dangerous areas.
“So admit it to yourself - the praise of “Ascetic” is pleasant to you! But this is the praise of the enemy. Here, intellectual reflections have begun again! No, put it all out of your head. You’ll be in Kiev, and sort out your feelings there...”
“Ascetic” did not let them go until they drank the entire bottle together. Only then did Andrey and Alexander manage to break out, citing the need to transfer cases and that the other officers of the group were waiting for them.
- Damn, he's a tough guy. Well, for him, with his mass, this bottle is only a drop, but for us? – Alex stated with a slightly slurred tongue.
- Well, he’s a normal guy, - Andrey objected. – Tell him more often about all sorts of case developments. He is far from this and that is why he loves it. And don’t be shy about going on trips more often. He does not respect those who sit at the base. As for the rest, everything will be fine.
The atmosphere of a men's holiday already reigned in their building, which for some was overwhelming with the positiveness of the upcoming departure, while for others it was slightly overshadowed by the long days of rotation ahead.
However, everyone was actively discussing the latest news from Kiev, the peculiarities of their stay in Mariupol, paying tribute to the stewed hare with various alcoholic drinks... Around midnight, Andrey went out into the street. He was already pretty wobbly from drinking.
He opened the latest message on his smartphone:
“Andrey, congratulations! Top level work! The management thanks you. Rest for a few days. Think about it, maybe go somewhere on vacation and get your nervous system in order. We really count on you. Good luck and have a safe trip home!”
Andrey read the message and laughed quietly: “Indeed, I’ll ask for a10-day leave for personal needs. I bet they won't refuse the hero! And go somewhere to the sea...”
Slava came through the door, catching the doorframe with his shoulder.
- Well, where are you going, Andrey? Come on, I want to have a drink with you!
- Slava, it’s already too much for me... - Andrey tried to object.
- What are you talking about? We're going home! Let’s go!
In the morning, half the group was loaded onto the bus in the form of almost lifeless bodies...
EPILOGUE
Kiev greeted Andrey with the usual bureaucratic bustle. Of course, first they handed over their weapons and armor (it turned out that Andrey, in the alcoholic stupor of leaving, forgot his helmet). Then it was time to prepare various papers - travel documents, ATO documents. The financiers needed extracts from the orders of the sector commander with a red stamp about arrival and departure, then they also demanded that they write a report...
So it took several days. And only five days later Andrey managed to break through to the management with his request for a leave for family reasons .
- Sure, no problem, - the head of the department told him. – How long are you asking for? 10 days?
- According to the law, I have the right, - Andrey answered warily.
- Yes, this is understandable, you do have it... Listen, a message came from Mariupol headquarters with offers to award your entire group. Both from our people and from the head of the sector.
- Well, that's right. The guys were working hard, - Andrey confirmed.
- Yes, this is the case,” the boss twirled a pen in his hands. – What happened between you and that internal security guy?
“Here it goes!” – a thought flashed through Andrey’s head.
- What is it? – Andrey in turn asked.
- Well, they privately reported that you were drinking during your rotation, neglecting your duty, and so on. The head of the department told them to screw off because he himself went to see you, and the information from you was always good. But... In short, there will be no official complaints against you, but you will not see any award. The Internal Security simply won’t let it go through.
- Oh, that's okay! – Andrey waved his hand. – They have already given me a cross for Slavyansk. What, another one? I shouldn’t get awards every two months, right?
- Well, good, the colonel sighed with relief. - Well, of course, we’ll present your boys for awards. As well as our guys from the department. Let the rest come to their own agreements.
- Of course, - Andrey agreed. - So, will you give me a vacation?
He got a vacation. And he was already getting ready to fly to Turkey to get his nerves and memory in order.
Ukraine was celebrating Independence Day. A military parade took place along Khreshchatyk. Andrey was watching this show on TV, preparing for his flight and packing his things in his rented apartment. He was going to Nikolaev, to visit his parents and daughter. And then his plane from Odessa to Antalya was waiting...
The next morning he was awakened by a telephone call. Vadik Tsigun was calling.
- Hello. Andrey, do you have connections in Zaporozhye?
- Hello to you too, - Andrey grinned. - What happened to make you so abrupt and to the point?
– Well, you know, - even from the intonation it was felt that Tsigun hesitated and was quite nervous. – I’m thinking of sending my family there. I need to rent a house in Zaporozhye.
- Are you serious? – Andrey was amazed. - But the first of September is just around the corner, the children have to go to school... Why are you dropping everything?
– Well, here’s the thing... I’m afraid that we won’t have the first of September.
Andrey stared at the phone, puzzled. Judging by his voice, Tsigun was sober, and it didn’t look like a joke.
- Vadik, let's go into more detail!
In response, a sad sigh was heard in the receiver.
- Andrey, they say here that the Russians have crossed the border. They report from Novoazovsk that there are Russian tanks there.
- Come on! Don't say nonsense, Vadik, this would be an invasion!
Tsigun was silent for a while, then added quietly:
- From the East they can clearly hear the cannonade. This means they are shooting somewhere 20 km from the city...
- Okay, - Andrey collected his thoughts. - I’ll now send you the number of a guy I know from Zaporozhye, even several, from our government. Call and tell them I referred you. They should help. And also... Call and let me know how the situation is. Fine?
- Thank you. I’ll try, - Tsvigun answered somehow sadly and disconnected.
Andrey thought about it. Then he called “Italian”. His number was busy. He tried “Colonel” but the number was “out of service area.”
The next person he dialed was his replacement, Alex from the ATC headquarters.
He did not answer right away:
- Hello! Yes, Andrey, I’m listening, speak, just faster!
- Alex, hello. What's going on over there?
– It’s a total disaster, look lik! The locals are saying that the Russians are heading across the border to Mariupol! Their tanks are in Novoazovsk!
- Damn! And how are you?
– Well... We are all sitting at the airfield, waiting for the order from Kramatorsk. We’re collecting information by phone, - Alex lowered his voice. – Just think about it: the highway to Berdyansk and Zaporozhye is clogged. People are leaving the city! They are afraid that there will be street fights!
- Listen, I’m calling the “Dnepr” team, no one is answering. What's wrong with them, don't you know?
- Oh! – Sanya was surprised. – Don’t you know a damn thing there, in Kiev? "Dnepr" has been being fighting in Ilovaisk for several days. There are about 15 of them left here. They’re guarding the location.
- Wow, - Andrey breathed out in shock. – Listen, I’ve been on vacation since yesterday. We only have the parade shown on TV here. I heard something about Ilovaisk. Mostly on the Internet, volunteer battalions are spreading the info wave. Where is “Azov”, or that damn “Shakhtersk”?
- “Shakhtersk” seems to be there, in Ilovaisk, – Alex answered. -And “Azov” ran off to Urzuf, I think. And maybe further. They, like, said that they would protect Mariupol. But I haven't seen any of them since yesterday morning. The phones are silent.
– I see... So, who was left in the city then? – Andrey wondered.
- That’s the point: practically no one! - Alex yelled. - I report to Kramatorsk, to Kiev - no one gives a damn. Nobody is listening. They have Independence Day there, holidays, you see!!!
- Wait, don’t shout... - Andrey scratched the back of his head. - Well, where is Lorman? – he asked about the commander of the Zaporozhye Territorial Defense Battalion, who was famous for his quarrelsomeness and his opinion on many issues. But it was his battalion that protected the airfield.
- Lorman...- Sanya said much quieter and calmer. – Lorman said that he would not expose his battalion to slaughter. If there are no troops in the city, he will take his battalion the hell away to the Zaporozhye region.
- You’re having some fun there...- Andrey drawled. - Okay, how can I help?
- How can you help... - Sanya answered doomedly. - I told Kiev and Kramatorsk everything that was needed. We would like transport, otherwise we won’t be able to get away in one car...
Puzzled, Andrey tried to contact the Center, but did not immediately receive an answer. At that moment the phone rang again.
- Andrey, hello. This is Lekha form “Beavers”!
- Oh, great, great. Well, what do you have? Are bullets whistling overhead? – Shevchenko joked.
There was silence on the phone, and then Lekha said quietly:
- You know, it's not funny at all. The soldiers are leaving the airfield. The commander has been absent since the evening. The Nazis are packing up. There is only one person left on duty. Everyone is asking us why we don’t take out the equipment.
- Really? I was talking to Alex “Bulat” 10 minutes ago. They're not going anywhere yet. – Andrey was surprised again.
- Yeah, because they have one car. I heard they are seriously discussing retreating on foot to Mangush... - Lekha added very quietly. - But I have secret equipment. What should I do?
- Wait, don’t panic, - Andrey thought feverishly. - Have you called your management?
- I called... They said to negotiate with the local management. They can’t send any transport, - “Beaver’s” voice trembled. - I think they’re just scared...
- Calm down, Lekha. I'll think of something right now. Maybe we’ll put the locals on it...
Andrey dialed Ian. The phone was turned off. He called Tsigun again.
- Hello, Vadik, I need transport for the airport...
- Andrey, sorry, I have no time for you. – Vadim interrupted him. - We’re starting to panic here. People are pouring out of the city. I myself am trying to get my family out. I'll call you later.
Andrey scratched his head and again typed a message to the Center:
"What's going on? I'm getting panicked calls from Mariupol one after another. Have we gone on the offensive?”
This time the answer came quickly.
“Well, it seems like yes. What do you hear?”
“Panic in Mariupol. People are flocking to Zaporozhye and Berdyansk. At the airfield the group is being dismantled. They say that cannonade can be heard in the city...”
“Andrey, I’ll just say that your latest information about the grouping of forces in Mariupol went with a bang. You have a huge thank you from the management. I think your information is right on point...”
After some time, Andrey read another message:
“If you can, keep the situation in Mariupol under control. Very interesting".
Andrey drummed his fingers on the table in thought. It turns out that the Russian leadership nevertheless decided to provide full support to the Donbass republics. Otherwise, where did the DPR and LPR get tanks?
“In any case, good. We need to crush these bastards!” - Andrey decided and went to the station. The train to Nikolaev was leaving in an hour...
Two days later he wrote to the Center:
“Sergei, what the hell is this? Why did you stop? The city is empty, there really is no one left! They tell me that the cops are already celebrating the arrival of the DPR, the Nazis are tearing off their shoulder straps... Everyone at the airfield is in a panic, our signalmen are already ready to blow up the equipment and flee on foot. They say the tanks are already five kilometers from the city. What's the problem?”
“Andrey, I can’t tell you, I’m not the General Staff or the Supreme Commander. We convey everything, we hide nothing. We are also informed regardingly....”
Mariupol was never taken. And by the beginning of September, additional forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, tanks, artillery were brought there...
The panic gradually subsided, although the sound of cannonade was clearly heard in the city, especially in the eastern part...
Little by little, people who fled at the end of August began to return. Government agencies started working.
The events of the end of August unexpectedly affected the behavior of many volunteer soldiers. For example, the “Dnepr” battalion, which already suffered heavy losses near Ilovaisk, was abandoned by several dozen people after the “southern offensive of the DPR.”
The same thing happened to “Azov”.
What happened clearly showed many “volunteers” that in this war not only can you commit all sorts of chaos with impunity, but you can also die from a shell or a bomb, not just a bullet. Artillery and multiple rocket launchers quickly regained their formidable name of “Gods of War.” These circumstances in a very short time cleared the minds of many “warriors of light” who came “to punish the separatists with fire and sword.”
The smartest and most cunning of the fighters of the volunteer battalions skillfully used their participation in battles to promote themselves in the eyes of the public and promote themselves into power structures. It was after the “Ilovaisk events” that a whole cohort of future people’s deputies emerged from these battalions. Among them were Bereza and Vova Parasyuk.
Working in Kiev, especially as a deputy of the highest legislative body, turned out to be much more attractive than running around with an assault rifle. And what’s more, it’s much safer.
And the notorious “Shakhtersk” battalion was completely disbanded in September 2014. By order of the Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov.
Having learned about this, Andrey’s acquaintance, a police lieutenant colonel from the Nikolaev, shook his head in surprise:
- Wow... At the moment of aggravation at the front, to disband the entire battalion! What is it that needs to be done? Do you know, Andrey?
- No... - Shevchenko answered lazily, gnawing his teeth into the back of a smoked fish. – I do not know…
His vacation was ending, and tomorrow he had to go to Kiev again.
The vacation had a beneficial effect on his psyche. Now he no longer woke up screaming several times a night. And he could easily tolerate the smell of barbecue.
The center, worried about his condition, recommended that during his next vacation he should be taken to a specialized sanatorium to receive treatment and improve his health. But he still had to live long enough to see his next vacation...