“Il ritmo dell’avanzata è stato una sorpresa anche per noi.” Una breve intervista al soldato Bravo, uno dei primi ad attraversare Kursk

**The reconnaissance unit of Oleksandr Pyslar, call sign Bravo, was one of the first to enter the territory of russia’s Kursk region. On August 12, he published a video that went viral on social media, showing a soldier freely moving around the central part of the russian town of Sudzha. Here is a brief interview with him:**

**How did you prepare for the operation?**

* **In the mid of July, there were rumors that such an operation might take place, so we were told to be ready.** 

**What were the first days and nights like?**

* **The russians probably did not expect an attack on several sections. It wasn’t just a movement on one or two segments of the border, but on several. Our command was informed that the Russians were not bringing reinforcements but were withdrawing instead, and accordingly, our forces increased the pace of the advance. You have to understand that assault and airborne units move as deep as possible, as far forward as possible at that moment. They secure, block roads, and then the second echelon follows, conducting clean-ups and setting up positions.**

**Was such rapid progress a surprise to you personally (on the first day, the Defense Forces advanced no less than 7 km into russia — ed.)?**

* **Yes, to be honest, we underestimated ourselves. And how the russians overlooked this moment — I don’t understand. And it was a surprise for us that wow — we did it.**

**How did the Russian military react?**

* **They didn’t know what to do. Their combat-ready units are fighting in Ukraine, and here they had conscripts, a few border guards, and Kadyrovites from the “Akhmat,” who fled.**

**Yesterday you posted a video from the center of Sudzha. Can you confirm that Sudzha is fully controlled by Ukraine?**

* **Sudzha is under the control of the Defense Forces; we move freely throughout the city, but there is a small nuance — a  complete cleanup is needed, which takes time.**

**How has the fighting spirit changed this week?**

* **The best feeling is understanding that these actions reduce the pressure of the russians in other directions. I’ve watched many interviews and read on the military channels that their situation has calmed down in other directions because this operation started.**

**What are the biggest challenges?**

* **There’s a big problem here with establishing communication. Starlinks don’t work well in russia. The deeper we move into their territory, the more complicated it gets.**

**What moment has been the most memorable for you personally in these days?**

* **When my wife said: “I would never go abroad without you, and look at what you’re up to!”**

**Source:** [**~https://suspilne.media/812573-temp-prosuvanna-i-dla-nas-stav-nespodivankou-blic-intervu-z-rozvidnikom-bravo/~**](https://suspilne.media/812573-temp-prosuvanna-i-dla-nas-stav-nespodivankou-blic-intervu-z-rozvidnikom-bravo/)

This guy sounds like an absolute legend. May he capture many orcs and return in good health!

” dude where’s my border” made me spit out my coffee ! Kudos to you sir.

Surprised, yes.

But not unprepared.

As Blaise Pascal once said:

“Fortune favors a prepared mind.”