'A storm is coming': Ukrainian brigade gears up for counteroffensive against Russia

More than 23,000 apply to join new National Guard contingents, as Bureviy brigade’ simulates battle in expected operation aimed at liberating captured regions from the Russians

KYIV, Ukraine (AFP) — A Ukrainian brigade that vows to “destroy Russian troops” simulated a skirmish in the woods near Kyiv on Thursday, as the country pushes ahead with plans for a counteroffensive.

In a glade of pine trees, reconnaissance troops from the Bureviy brigade, playing the “enemy,” covered their faces in camouflage makeup and balaclavas, donned yeti-style suits, and rolled in marsh water to blend in with their surroundings.

Then another group representing Ukrainian forces launched a surprise attack on them, shooting blanks and flinging smoke grenades.

Part of the National Guard internal troops, Bureviy, or storm brigade is also known as the “first presidential brigade.” President Volodymyr Zelensky praised its “resilience” this week.

Bureviy says its name in Ukrainian can also be deciphered as the “brigade to destroy Russian troops.”

The interior ministry in February announced the creation of several new armed formations, including Bureviy, run by the National Guard, police, and border force.

A serviceman belonging to the Ukrainian storm brigade “Bureviy,” takes part in military exercises outside Kyiv on April 20, 2023. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP)

It advertised for volunteers to join snappily titled brigades — with names such as Spartan, Steel Border, and Rage — saying they would “strengthen us during the coming offensive.”

More than 23,000 people applied.

Ukraine has said they will aim to liberate regions that are now under Moscow occupation — including Crimea.

“It’s time to return what’s ours,” reads the National Guard’s recruitment site.

An online ad for the Bureviy brigade warns: “Occupiers, a storm is coming!”

“At the beginning of the war, we took a defensive position. Our task was to restrain the enemy,” said one of the Bureviy soldiers, Taras, 41, who joined up soon after Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

‘Motivation is good’

Taras has fought in eastern hotspots including Bakhmut and Sieverodonetsk.

“Now we must go on the counter-offensive. We need to win back what was taken from us,” said the former manager of a factory making armored doors.

While it has been renamed, the National Guard brigade traces its history back to 2014, when defenders of Kyiv’s Maidan central square went to fight.

Servicemen belonging to the assault brigade “Spartan” of the National Guard of Ukraine, take part in military exercises in Kharkiv region on April 20, 2023. (Sergey Bobok/AFP)

This year, Kyiv has poured in resources, soldiers said.

“Now all our specialists (such as medics) are going abroad for training,” Taras said.

“Now there is a full supply of uniforms, body armor and helmets, and food.”

“Everything has changed a lot. The motivation is good.”

New recruits are not immediately going into battle, he said.

“The units are divided so that there are fighters who have already been through battles and have experience, and we add recruits there.”

“It has become much better, our unit has grown four times larger, and we have more instructors from the West. In general, the level of training has increased, there are more weapons,” said a 21-year-old intelligence officer with the call sign Bazooka, who joined almost three years ago.

Taras estimated that the brigade would not return to the front line for at least another month, while its specialists train abroad.