Mariupol: Book II in the Ukraine Invaded Series by James Mullins

Author:James Mullins [Mullins, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Longinus Publishing
Published: 2024-05-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Five PM, Thursday March 11th, 2022

Lyutheva Street Line

Livoberezhnyi District, Mariupol, Ukraine

Sasha was startled awake by the vibration of his phone. He groaned as he looked down at the screen and saw that it was Senko calling, “Hello?”

“Put Kuznetsov on the line,” Senko demanded.

Sasha looked around and spotted the elderly sniper. He was gazing outside through an opening where a window used to be. After the destruction of the attacking DPR battalion, the two sides settled into an uneasy stalemate.

This afforded the surviving members of Kuznetsov’s squad an opportunity to assess the condition of the school building. Middle School Number Fifty-Seven had been heavily damaged by the artillery barrage. The roof had been mostly destroyed rendering it impossible to continue using it as their primary firing position. Most of the classrooms on the second floor had also been damaged to the point that their floors were suspect. Especially when a three-hundred-pound sniper stood upon them.

Luckily, the second-floor classroom on the southeast corner of the building was still relatively intact. This is where Kuznetsov, Sasha, Diachenko, and Ivanov had set up. Mazur had joined Kovalenko, who was still recovering from his leg wound, in the BMP. This left Private Boyko to cover the northern flank, as the classroom in the southeast corner had windows on each exterior wall. This enabled anyone in the classroom to cover both the east and southern flanks of the building.

Sasha handed his cellphone to Kuznetsov, “It’s for you.”

“Sergeant, Kuznetsov.”

“What’s your status?” Senko demanded.

“It’s been quiet since the DPR assault was obliterated. The Russians across the street haven’t been moving around or engaged in any mischief.” Kuznetsov replied.

“That good to hear,” Senko said, relief evident in his voice. “After you got hit, the Russians sacrificed more DPR cannon fodder against other points of our line.”

“Were they able to hold?” Kuznetsov asked.

“Yes, but just barely,” Senko admitted. “I was forced to commit what little reserves we had left to turn them back. Fortunately, it worked, and the line held.”

“Any intelligence on why the enemy is so quiet?” Kuznetsov asked.

“We’ve got a handful of drones on station over their lines,” Senko said. “We aren’t really seeing anything move. I don’t have anything definitive, but I would suspect that they are as depleted as we are right now.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m doubtful that we can turn back another attack like that last one,” Kuznetsov admitted.

“I figured as much,” Senko said. “We’re pretty thin up and down the line.”

“If the Russians follow Soviet doctrine after a standard artillery barrage and infantry assault ended in failure, they’ll shift tactics. My guess is that they will shell us some more, then hit us with whatever air power they can muster before they send all of the armor, they have straight at us.” Kuznetsov said.

“I appreciate your insights,” Senko said. “What have you got left for tank busting?”

“We have three javelins that we picked up when we were last at battalion HQ. Plus, a half-dozen AT-4 rockets and a dozen or so RPG’s.”

“Alright, so if you are correct.

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