History 23/03/20 Wikipediaage Kononov: what heroism of the Russian peacekeepers in South Ossetia
this year will mark 10 years since the end of the armed conflict in South Ossetia when Georgian troops by order of the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili attacked the unrecognized Republic. The situation in the region has been tense since the end of 1980-ies due to the fact that South Ossetia declared autonomy from Georgia. All this time, discontent was growing continuously, periodically an outbreak of violence. To prevent bloodshed in Georgia’s capital Tskhinval was aimed group of Russian peacekeepers.
the Attack began at night on August 8 with a massive bombardment of Tskhinvali, which was conducted from small arms, rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and multiple rocket launchers “Grad”. The fire lasted nearly all night and in the morning in the city began to enter the infantry and armor of Georgia.
the Main aim of the offensive was the base of Russian peacekeepers. Not expecting to meet much resistance, went to storm tank column supported by infantry. But at the entrance to part of the traffic is stalled. On their way was a 21-year-old peacekeeping soldier soldier Sergey V. Kononov.
Artillery RAID caught him on duty – he carried the guard at one of the observation towers located on the perimeter of a military camp. When the first explosions were heard, he quickly went down in the pillbox. Permanent firing point was a narrow concrete “a glass” embedded in the earth, with loopholes for observation and firing. Here the fighter and decided to hold the line.
at this time on the side of the shells exploded, has killed 20 troops, and the contingent commander was wounded, burned the barracks, dining room, technical buildings and a medical center. Around heard the groans of the wounded and the shouts of commanders trying to organize soldiers. Peacekeepers pulled out injured from the rubble and brought them to the catEloy, which stood a little to the side and miraculously avoided the hits.
Sergei was on duty. Pressed against the concrete wall, he pressed his eyes to slits. The border of Georgia just a few hundred meters over the hill. And now he, slowly, began to creep out Georgian tanks. First, second, third, fourth… Behind them, ducking and hiding behind the armored vehicles, trotted Georgian special forces.
weapons Kononov was AKSU – cropped version of the classic “Kalashnikov”, with less barrel length. For compactness had to pay an accuracy – effective range of this machine is less than the “big brother”. At gunpoint appeared the silhouette of one of the enemies. By pressing the trigger, the peacekeeper saw the figure of the enemy jackknifed and crashed to the ground. Sergei moved the sight to the next.
after an hour of battle, where the Russian soldier remained steadfast, began to take a technique from continuous firing machine gets hot, and the residue scored the barrel and gas tube. The dispersion of bullets has increased, the machine was podklinivat and spitting (when the bullet due to dirty or low-quality trunk, flies with less speed and almost immediately falls to the ground). And ammunition came to an end.
it would Seem that there is no escape, but suddenly the attack bogged down and the technician started walking backwards back. Cautious Georgians do not want to go on the rampage, thinking that they are opposed to at least a platoon. At this time someone from the Ossetian militia to burn down one of the tanks. Taking advantage of an unexpected reprieve, Sergey jumped out of “glass” to get more ammo and change weapons.
the territory was created a living hell. He made his way to the Armory, private Kononov grabbed the AK-74, ammo, and ran back. The goal was simple – to buy time, to halt the advance, while the boys stand comrades in a safe place. But because of the hill, meanwhile, again heard the growl of tank engines and the shouts of the enemy.
Another two hours continued to snap fire an impregnable pillbox. Machine guns and assault rifles to theesultate allowed to turn in the direction of the “glass” was barely noticeable and to determine the source of the fire at the invaders did not succeed.
maybe the power of the spirit and Russian weapons continue to be able to resist the Georgian forces, but where are powerless the sword of the warrior will always find a place for the dagger of a traitor. Stoker, who was in charge of the boiler room, was a spy. On a cell phone he adjusted the fire and gave their masters the coordinates of the bunker. And although the medic part was able to calculate “mishandled Cossack”, noting that he had a fine working relationship (the other mobiles were jammed suppression system that Georgia has provided the US military), it was too late – the information is gone. The tank rolled up the hill and fired a volley at the bunker. For these gauges the distance of 200 meters is almost point blank. Concrete construction could not withstand a direct hit of a projectile, designed for armor penetration meter.
Remaining at his post until the end, Sergey Kononov died. The cost of his life, he saved dozens of his comrades who were able to get out of the fire. Posthumously he was awarded the Order of Courage.
In this war, Russia has not abandoned its citizens, many of our soldiers showed unprecedented courage. But 21-year-old Sergey Kononov one of the first to stand in the way of the invaders and showed what is Russian soldier.
Vasily Khodarev
Source:
© Russian Seven
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