"Currently, the war has reached a turning point." Scouts from the "Rubizh" brigade discuss their missions at the front, the TCC, and mobilization efforts.
Reconnaissance units are essential on the front lines: they gather information about enemy positions, equipment, and movements, conduct surveillance for fire correction, and carry out airstrikes on the occupiers' positions. RBC-Ukraine spoke with three scouts from the "Rubezh" rapid response brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine about their tasks, motivation to fight, and interactions with civilians.
During the full-scale war, Ukrainians have admired the impressive information operations and drone attacks successfully executed by Ukrainian scouts. However, there is another type of reconnaissance, most of which does not make it to Telegram channels and remains behind the scenes.
The work of a scout on the front line is extremely important: they operate daily at the "zero line," risking their lives to obtain critical information. The data they collect forms the basis for the tasks that defenders carry out in close proximity to the enemy.
What do scouts do at the line of engagement, how has the attitude of civilians towards the military changed during the war, and why should everyone in the rear support the front – in the article by RBC-Ukraine journalist Kateryna Honcharova.
Universal Warriors: What Tasks Do Scouts Perform at the "Zero Line"
Our interviewees are three scouts: the commander of the special operations reconnaissance platoon of the "Rubezh" brigade, "Meshok," the commander of the "Kazuma" platoon, and the chief sergeant of the "Krest" reconnaissance platoon. Each has their own story of how they joined the military. However, they are all highly motivated to confront the enemy and protect the country.
"Meshok" and "Krest" were at the military enlistment office in the early days of the large-scale war, trying to join the unit where they could apply their skills. "Kazuma" has been in the war longer: he initially worked in evacuation and was later invited to join the scouts. Having served in "Rubezh," all three say that getting here was one of the most important decisions they ever made.
Regarding the tasks of a scout, they note that the work is very diverse.
"We are universal warriors who can conduct airstrikes, lead someone to positions. Like infantrymen, but better, and there are nuances. An airstrike is about going somewhere, causing a commotion, taking something if possible, and then withdrawing," says "Kazuma."
According to him, an airstrike is conducted to determine the number of enemies, what resources they have, and the location of their positions, which may include auxiliary positions. Sometimes the strike is successful, sometimes it is not.
"There is a position, and there is us. We advance in waves. Of course, during this time, resources are firing. We approach – it goes well – we enter; if it doesn’t go well – we withdraw. If it goes well, then it’s no longer an airstrike; it’s already securing the position," he explains.
A scout is a person who seeks and finds information about the enemy at the line of engagement for the higher command, filters all this, and provides a brief summary to make it easier for them to carry out tasks – for the infantry and other units.
Recently, the scout says, many reconnaissance tasks are taken over by drones. They see further and better; they have thermal imaging cameras. All of this can be viewed on video, where the image can be enlarged or expanded.
"A scout is an infantryman at the highest level, capable of performing tasks that an infantryman cannot. And, of course, it involves fieldwork, working with infantry, conducting camouflage operations, and observing the enemy. When the brigade enters a new direction, the scout is the first person to go to the positions. The first person who communicates with the unit we are replacing," adds "Meshok."
Some information about the enemy is available, while some is not. To find it, reconnaissance is needed at the line of engagement, says "Krest."
"We go, check the information, whether it is true or not. We start securing tasks at night and finish when it is already dawn. There are fewer drones at night. So, this is a certain advantage because there are fewer losses then. Although nighttime is also a moment when losses will still occur. But during the day, there is a much greater chance of being killed. In such tasks, you understand that the infantry will come to secure the position behind you. And that’s normal; it’s the reality now: the infantry must enter the fortified positions," he explains.
"People Either Break Down or Show Their Best Side"
There are specific parameters that scouts always consider among those who want to serve with them. These include physical fitness and moral qualities. They check for any legal issues and leadership problems if a person is already serving in the army and wants to join them.
"We are always happy to welcome motivated individuals. We have a vast material base and people who can teach. Anyone can become a scout, but only if they strive for it. It’s better to have fewer people, but they should be motivated and reliable in difficult moments. Usually, people reveal themselves precisely in critical moments: you rely on them right then. In such moments, people either break down or show their best side," says "Meshok."
According to "Krest," one cannot exclude force majeure situations where quick reactions are necessary.
"For this, a scout must have critical thinking to make decisions 'on the ground' independently. This is not only about the critical thinking of the officer corps and command. It’s also for ordinary soldiers – everyone must be able to make decisions on their own," he adds.
How is this profession taught? "Kazuma" says that a person is first trained in basic skills, then must complete the basic military training course. After that, the future soldier returns to the reconnaissance platoon, where they begin an intensive training course.
"We actually have very reasonable leadership. They support everything – both training and development. If a person wants, the unit will do everything to ensure they learn. There are various courses and training programs, including those abroad. Everything imaginable is available to us. It’s just a matter of whether the person wants to develop," adds the scout.
There are also various stereotypes about scouts – even among those who serve but have not encountered such work. "Kazuma" recalls that once a recruit came to them, and during the first outing, he could not handle the psychological pressure. He thought he was being sent "to the meat grinder." But in reality, he had a simple task – to deliver a charging station to a position.
"I asked him, 'Do you know what reconnaissance is?' He stepped aside, then returned and said, 'I watched it on YouTube; reconnaissance is when you have to go behind enemy lines and carry out some sabotage tasks.' It was very funny. He didn’t stay with us for long, but he made everyone laugh," the soldier recounts.
The Enemy Got Lost and Walked Right into the Bunker
Despite the dangers from drones at the front, there is always a way to hide and create false positions, believes "Meshok." Even with the number of "Maviks," there are still gray zones at the line of engagement: there, you do not know where the enemy is or their numbers.
"A Mavik is not a 100% accurate tool. A lot depends on the pilot. Human fatigue plays a role: perhaps they missed something or didn’t pay attention. There have been many cases where the enemy was allowed to pass when they entered certain positions. There are people at the positions; they observe and watch. And then the enemy ends up from a completely different side, entering the rear," he states.
According to him, there have also been many cases where the enemy ran across the field because they thought it was their territory, only to end up right at our soldiers' positions.
"They simply get lost and walk into the guys' bunker, asking if they are their own. And this is already well behind the lines, 500 meters from the line of engagement," he recalls one such incident.
The soldier notes that much depends on the location where the guys are working. If it is indeed a planting with vegetation, it is easier to hide there. However, when everything is mowed down and dug up, the situation is different.
"As practice shows, the enemy digs very well. They enter in one place and exit in another. They dig paths for themselves and simply appear among our positions. They have done this multiple times. They send people, and most likely, they do not care about them. Because they send them unarmed, with nothing, just shovels," he notes.
The Old Guard of Infantrymen Are Genius People
The infantry that served in the Defense Forces during the first phase of the full-scale invasion played a significant role. They were well-trained, resilient warriors.
"The old guard of infantrymen from