Haiduk

Nobody wants to die. If you can't detect source of incoming fire, especially sniper, this can seriously reduce motivation of personnel to advance. 
Here for you the video with almost similar situation. 10 Aug 2014 - the probe to enter in Ilovaisk. Fighters of "Azov" advance through the sunflower field and turn under fire of enemy snipers and MGs. During all video fighters ask each other "Do you see them ? From where is fire?" They are shelling ruined building, the house nearby (at the end of video in that house ammo dumb is setting fire). On 6:12 famous "Azov" arniored KAMAZ guntruck "Prianyk" (eng."Gingerbread") is appearing. "Move 300 meters forward for better position!", order it commander. Later "Prianyk" will be damaged with incoming fire and will leave the battle (not filmed). Single armor on video - BMP-2 of 51st mech.brigade, which covered "Azov". It's continuously is breaking during the battle and at the end failed completely and was abandoned by crew. "Azov" tried to advance under fire, but lost 3 KIA. The same situation was with "Donbas", which adcanced left from "Azov". They encountered with heavy fortified positions and masked enemy riflemen in tree-plants, which couldn't exactly detect. Thus, again several snipers, MGs and 1-2 82 mm mortars have stopped advance of 200 men. In this day UKR forces lost 12 KIA (4 from "Donbas", 3 from "Azov", 3 from 40th territorial defense battalion "Kryvbas", 2 from "Right sector"). 
Big trouble of CM - almost immediate uncovering of position of groups, which open fire. As you see on videos, which I upload here, in most cases, soldiers can't detect point of fire and forced just to shoot in suspicious places. And of course if you will try to play like in real life in order to save own pixeltrooppen, you will not throw them through the fields on enemy invisible MGs.    
Better to see from 1:23
 

What new and overhelming Russia demonstrated in Ukraine and Georgia? Most of their success is a consequenses of not so "newest doctrines", as rough mistakes of the opposing HQs and superior in forces. Russia is capable to create outstanding TV-picture of strong modern army, but they have the same problems like all post-soviet armies. Experience of engagement in Sector A in 2014 showed that Russian troops is not "invincible machine" - if their opponents are ready to stand and fight and retain controllability, Russians can't achieve own "primary victory conditions".

Initially Yandex maps updated own sattelite images of Ukraine in 2017, Google Maps - some after in 2017-2018. You can also watch almost week-by-week satellite images on TerraServer: https://www.terraserver.com

What new and overhelming Russia demonstrated in Ukraine and Georgia? Most of their success is a consequenses of not so "newest doctrines", as rough mistakes of the opposing HQs and superior in forces. Russia is capable to create outstanding TV-picture of strong modern army, but they have the same problems like all post-soviet armies. Experience of engagement in Sector A in 2014 showed that Russian troops is not "invincible machine" - if their opponents are ready to stand and fight and retain controllability, Russians can't achieve own "primary victory conditions".

Sevreral days ago, our positions between Vodiane and Pikuzy, Mariupol direction. Mortar shelling and trenches
 
 

OSCE spotted it on 16th March. The strike was conducted on 27th of March. Who care that Russians almost didn't change positions (ok, moved on 8 km northern) for that time? Both sides uses heavy arty and mortars - this is not secret for OSCE, they  point all facts in own reports. Diplomats and politics lives in own world, military - in own. The war is going on. Our HQ officially will say "enemy got return fire with allow weapon systems". You wanted hybrid war, so take it. 

Haiduk,
The blasted Edit timer got me, so I'll try again. The soundtrack to that video you provided was the orchestral version of the powerful Adele hit "Rolling in the Deep," seen here with her in a cool video.
 
In the second video, the one with the hulking armored truck, other than seeing a few places shot up, I couldn't follow the action at all, a situation worsened by the camera guy not being with any actual visible shooters (other than the Dushka guy some distance away) to provide some frame of reference. The sunflowers were glorious, but the terrain is a tactical nightmare, with belts of woods and sunflowers separated by wide flat fields which would make great killing grounds. Would think you'd need lots of people and lots of fire support both direct and indirect to advance without getting chopped to pieces.
Regards,

John Kettler
 

16th March SMM OSCE UAV spotted Russian EW systems R-330Zh ("Zhytel") and newest "Tirada-2", which only in this year will go into service, but already succsessfully taken from "coal mine" on Donbas.
R-330Zh is further Russian upgrading of Soviet EW R-330 systems family. It allow to conduct SIGINT tasks in the range 100...2000 Mhz and to supress INMARSAT, Iridium, NAVSTAR land and aerial equipment as well as to supress GSM signal.
"Tirada-2" is newest satellite jamming system, which can nott only supress satellite channels, but even to hit the satellite with strong impulse. Possible cause of it appearence on Donbas - tests of the system against US RQ-4 drones, which fly along frontline each week or trying to wipe out satellite channels, which use Ukrainian crowdfund-made analog of FBCB system for fast artillery targeting, which uses Chinese commercial satellite for data exchange. 
Russian EW equipment was spotted near the village Pivdenna Lomuvatka of Luhansk region. According to SMM OSCE reports stations crossed the border and appeared in Luhansk asa far as 3rd of February.

R-330Zh still on own positions near Pivdenna Lomuvatka and some northen near Hlubokyi settlement in 15 km from frontline, where Ukrainian UAV have spotted it:

And according of LNR sourses "27th of March at 8:00 of morning 17 152 mm shells impacted near Hlybokyi from Troitske direction". Ukrainain JOF HQ since two days claimed R-330Zh was destroyed:

 

OSCE spotted it on 16th March. The strike was conducted on 27th of March. Who care that Russians almost didn't change positions (ok, moved on 8 km northern) for that time? Both sides uses heavy arty and mortars - this is not secret for OSCE, they  point all facts in own reports. Diplomats and politics lives in own world, military - in own. The war is going on. Our HQ officially will say "enemy got return fire with allow weapon systems". You wanted hybrid war, so take it. 

16th March SMM OSCE UAV spotted Russian EW systems R-330Zh ("Zhytel") and newest "Tirada-2", which only in this year will go into service, but already succsessfully taken from "coal mine" on Donbas.
R-330Zh is further Russian upgrading of Soviet EW R-330 systems family. It allow to conduct SIGINT tasks in the range 100...2000 Mhz and to supress INMARSAT, Iridium, NAVSTAR land and aerial equipment as well as to supress GSM signal.
"Tirada-2" is newest satellite jamming system, which can nott only supress satellite channels, but even to hit the satellite with strong impulse. Possible cause of it appearence on Donbas - tests of the system against US RQ-4 drones, which fly along frontline each week or trying to wipe out satellite channels, which use Ukrainian crowdfund-made analog of FBCB system for fast artillery targeting, which uses Chinese commercial satellite for data exchange. 
Russian EW equipment was spotted near the village Pivdenna Lomuvatka of Luhansk region. According to SMM OSCE reports stations crossed the border and appeared in Luhansk asa far as 3rd of February.

R-330Zh still on own positions near Pivdenna Lomuvatka and some northen near Hlubokyi settlement in 15 km from frontline, where Ukrainian UAV have spotted it:

And according of LNR sourses "27th of March at 8:00 of morning 17 152 mm shells impacted near Hlybokyi from Troitske direction". Ukrainain JOF HQ since two days claimed R-330Zh was destroyed:

 

This is 2014 year photo, when first enlistment of Azov (volunteeer unit in that time, initially named "little black men") contains much more marginal far-right elements than now. On this photo the group of Oleg Penia, which have time to be in skinheads, in "Patriot of Ukraine", in "Autonomous nationalists", in 2014 for a short time he became a leader of Right Sector in Zhytomyr, but soon was expelled from there and he enlisted to Azov. He posted this and several other photos with nazi-flags and "zigas", which quicky shared through internet and Russian propaganda used it well. Penia didn't spent much time in Azov - in the end of 2014 he and most of his people left this unit. 
I know personnaly three men from this unit. Two of them were in our medieval re-enaction movement, they just like to fight, but wasn't nazi or even far-right. Azov gave them good opportunity to fight w/o soviet dogmas. One of them passed a way from private to company leader and now he is a chief of training center. The second was wounded, but since some time returned to the unit. Where he now I don't know. The third my familiar is not too young like previous two, he served in "Azov" recon platoon and in tank company. Also not a nazi, but normal nationalist. He said, now commnaders of Azov is watching for radicals. Nobody didn't press them for their convictions, but public demonstration of restricted symbols is punishing. More, according the law of 2016 year, public demonstration of nazі and soviet symbols (except hystorical and education purpose) can entail administrative or criminal responsibility.
Though throwing a "ziga" (from heart to the sun  ) is popular mocking at not only in Azov (though some can do it seriously), but and in Army too. Russian propaganda painting Ukrainain army as "punishers", "fascsists", "ukrowehrmacht", so soldiers are trying "to сorrespond" this image. Ukrainains have excellent feel of irony and black humor. Do you want to see "evil fascists"? You will got it. And let our assholes flame on TV-shows.
 

Telemark in the same way like Azov was blamed by liberals in nationalism and enormous belligerence (!!!) only for their strange features (scandinavic mythology, punisher sculls etc). So, when I said "cosplaying" this is about essence, not insignia.  
So, the rune in insignia = Nazism? Well, you are right. Ukrainains are all phascists. Even our ancient ancestors used Nazi-symbols, so roots of Nazism in Ukraine have thousand-years history  
Walfsangel also placed in coat of arms of many German towns - looks like only neo-Nazi are living there  
 
 

Random militas? What exactly? "Azov" is not "militia" this is regular unit of National Guard. I say again - all talks about total Nazi-unit "Azov", which every day are crucifying per one small Russian-speaking boy is more scarecrow of Russian propaganda for housewifes, than reality. Yes, their Germanic features is attracting to them some neo-nazis, far-right and other, but they number is not critical. And they like citizens of Ukraine have the same right to defend own country like followers of any liberal or democratic ideology. 

Azov has own unique TO&E and training system, which very differ itself from existing in Army or in National Guard. 
Azov named itself as "regiment", but officially it "special purpose separate detachment" of 18th National Guard operative purpose regiment. Big armored cars on the video are "Varta". Also some BTR-3E1 and "Spartans" in service. Pickups are popular Mitsubishi L200 IV. Many these cars were bought for Army and volunteer units officially or via civil volunteers. So there is a problem to model them adequately in CMBS, alas.
Runes? OMG. And what? Runes were invented by Hitler? Azov in many features is "cosplaying" Norwegian "Telemark" battalion (runes, german-scandinavian traditions etc).  Many guys in Azov are neo-paganists (slavic, or german-scandinavic).  Yes, some number of personnel are followers of social-nationalists and "struggle for white race" ideology. Some consider they are "private military company" or at least "favorite toy" of current Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. But many young and not so young men enlist themeselve to Azov, because only there they can receive hard phisical and real military training without old soviet dogmas. 

This is 2014 year photo, when first enlistment of Azov (volunteeer unit in that time, initially named "little black men") contains much more marginal far-right elements than now. On this photo the group of Oleg Penia, which have time to be in skinheads, in "Patriot of Ukraine", in "Autonomous nationalists", in 2014 for a short time he became a leader of Right Sector in Zhytomyr, but soon was expelled from there and he enlisted to Azov. He posted this and several other photos with nazi-flags and "zigas", which quicky shared through internet and Russian propaganda used it well. Penia didn't spent much time in Azov - in the end of 2014 he and most of his people left this unit. 
I know personnaly three men from this unit. Two of them were in our medieval re-enaction movement, they just like to fight, but wasn't nazi or even far-right. Azov gave them good opportunity to fight w/o soviet dogmas. One of them passed a way from private to company leader and now he is a chief of training center. The second was wounded, but since some time returned to the unit. Where he now I don't know. The third my familiar is not too young like previous two, he served in "Azov" recon platoon and in tank company. Also not a nazi, but normal nationalist. He said, now commnaders of Azov is watching for radicals. Nobody didn't press them for their convictions, but public demonstration of restricted symbols is punishing. More, according the law of 2016 year, public demonstration of nazі and soviet symbols (except hystorical and education purpose) can entail administrative or criminal responsibility.
Though throwing a "ziga" (from heart to the sun  ) is popular mocking at not only in Azov (though some can do it seriously), but and in Army too. Russian propaganda painting Ukrainain army as "punishers", "fascsists", "ukrowehrmacht", so soldiers are trying "to сorrespond" this image. Ukrainains have excellent feel of irony and black humor. Do you want to see "evil fascists"? You will got it. And let our assholes flame on TV-shows.
 

Random militas? What exactly? "Azov" is not "militia" this is regular unit of National Guard. I say again - all talks about total Nazi-unit "Azov", which every day are crucifying per one small Russian-speaking boy is more scarecrow of Russian propaganda for housewifes, than reality. Yes, their Germanic features is attracting to them some neo-nazis, far-right and other, but they number is not critical. And they like citizens of Ukraine have the same right to defend own country like followers of any liberal or democratic ideology. 

Azov has own unique TO&E and training system, which very differ itself from existing in Army or in National Guard. 
Azov named itself as "regiment", but officially it "special purpose separate detachment" of 18th National Guard operative purpose regiment. Big armored cars on the video are "Varta". Also some BTR-3E1 and "Spartans" in service. Pickups are popular Mitsubishi L200 IV. Many these cars were bought for Army and volunteer units officially or via civil volunteers. So there is a problem to model them adequately in CMBS, alas.
Runes? OMG. And what? Runes were invented by Hitler? Azov in many features is "cosplaying" Norwegian "Telemark" battalion (runes, german-scandinavian traditions etc).  Many guys in Azov are neo-paganists (slavic, or german-scandinavic).  Yes, some number of personnel are followers of social-nationalists and "struggle for white race" ideology. Some consider they are "private military company" or at least "favorite toy" of current Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. But many young and not so young men enlist themeselve to Azov, because only there they can receive hard phisical and real military training without old soviet dogmas. 

Indeed, among volunteer and even regular units in 2014 there were many self-made armored cars and usual cars, adapted for combat. Also such vehicles were using from opposing side. Alas, even for part of it need to do separate module %)
Several examples:
This was civil Nissan

This is Dodge Dacota

And this miniatue armored car is made from UAZ-469 (this tiny one survived the hell of 2014-2015 and now in museum)

But most famous one is, of course, "Ginger" of "Azov" battalion - APC on the base of KAMAZ truck. Photo from museum, 12,7 HMG dismounted. Though there were many similar constructions. 

Indeed, among volunteer and even regular units in 2014 there were many self-made armored cars and usual cars, adapted for combat. Also such vehicles were using from opposing side. Alas, even for part of it need to do separate module %)
Several examples:
This was civil Nissan

This is Dodge Dacota

And this miniatue armored car is made from UAZ-469 (this tiny one survived the hell of 2014-2015 and now in museum)

But most famous one is, of course, "Ginger" of "Azov" battalion - APC on the base of KAMAZ truck. Photo from museum, 12,7 HMG dismounted. Though there were many similar constructions. 

On Donbas too. You can see frequently how both sides are actively using RPG-7/22/26 and SPG-9 HEATs on enemy in buildings. But an explosion of HEAT inside structure dirffers itself from explosion on the ground. When HEAT impact the wall, it penetrates and creates additional fragments of wall material, creates dust cloud and suppresses troopers in close compartment. Explosion of HEAT under open sky  just going in one direction - to the ground with some minor fragments aside. 

On Donbas too. You can see frequently how both sides are actively using RPG-7/22/26 and SPG-9 HEATs on enemy in buildings. But an explosion of HEAT inside structure dirffers itself from explosion on the ground. When HEAT impact the wall, it penetrates and creates additional fragments of wall material, creates dust cloud and suppresses troopers in close compartment. Explosion of HEAT under open sky  just going in one direction - to the ground with some minor fragments aside. 

But Javelin has HEAT warhead, not HE. There is very doubt that it close explosion can cause so severe consequences. I posted a video here, how HEAT shell from UKR tank exploded near the DNR fighter and he got only medium injuries. Yes, Jav has 2,67 kg of HE, but most part of it directed to formation a shaped charge stream, not for heavy fragments, like in HE shell. I suppose, the metal stream would have gone in the ground not in the BTR 

In the war on Donbas about 30 % of all AT-4 launches failed because of lost of control over the missile or because missile even didn't get out from container. Expired term of using... So such game modelling has a sense.

Experience of tank firing from close positions turned out very useful in Donbas war. First attempts to recall forgotten tactic appeared probably in late 2015, when the war became positional and army became to receive from volunteers PDAs with artillery soft and maps, tied in local networks. After that old tactic got "second birth". As example I could remember destroying of enemy BMP in the trench near Dokuchayevsk with two shots of SPG-9 also from close position with targeting from UAV, which transmitted coordinates on the PDA of SPG crew.
Now this tactic is embedding on the level of each squad. Of course mech.squad leaders havn't PDAs yet, but on the trainings each BMP-1 crewman and even each squad trooper must be able to decide elementary work of artillery spotter. The article about it (in Ukrainain😞http://www.mil.gov.ua/news/2018/11/24/pihota-vtilyue-v-zhittya-novu-taktiku-zastosuvannya-ozbroennya-bmp/

I leave politic aside, though now almost all in Ukraine believe this was dirty trick to canceling or moving term of elections and fixing the power of current oligarchic clans both "pro-Europeans" and "pro-Russians", which after 2014 just agreed between each other. But more about details of evening incident. This is recorded radio chat betrween our gunboat(s?) and Russian ships:  https://gordonua.com/news/crimea/vklyuchit-svet-na-palube-vyyti-s-podnyatymi-rukami-opublikovany-zapisi-peregovorov-ukrainskih-voennyh-i-rossiyskih-pogranichnikov-v-chernom-more-533672.html
I have no time now to translate all, if somebody interest, say me and I will write full translation of dialogs. In short, Russians warned they will open fire, captain of our gunboat says that they proceed in Kerchian strait to the Black sea, according to Agreement about general use of the strait and Azov sea, gunboat takes fire, captain say they left 12-mile zone, do not have agressive intentions, do not open fire, do not rotate guns, captain call for help and pointed coordinates of atatck - 44 51' N  36 23'04''E. On the map this point is laying beyond hipotetical "12-mile zone of Russian waters" (as they considering) - in 23 km from the coast, so Russians attacked our forces in neutral waters.

Further, captain says they have injured and they need help, Russians order to stop engine, turn on the light on the deck and go out with raised hands. Last information - we have 6 wounded anomg them 2 heavy.