“There was a point in my deployment in Chechnya where we would receive IDF from multiple locations at once, all throughout the day. It was variable too. Mortars, single tube rocket, even WW2 towed artillery would rain down on us. And in Chechnya, it never stops fucking raining during certain parts of the year.

This one time, we established this small patrol base on the top of a hill, after a very long and very wet patrol. I was soaked, my gear was soaked, my water proof gear was soaked, and I’m decently sure my very soul was soaked.

Anyways, we all had had enough for the day, and it was becoming nightfall. Our feet were sore from rucking and being wet for the entire day so we decided to just put up a few waterproof sleeping bags and we laid down. We made a security shift roster and everyone passed out. Well, around 2100 we all woke up to the familiar sound of buzzing. Soon, artillery/mortars were landing all around us.

When I say that no one cared, I don’t think I could express just exactly how little anyone cared. Here we are, on a flat hill, in a clearing, and indirect fire is landing all around us. And the most we did was roll down the hill in our sleeping bags. It was probably the least afraid of death I’ve ever been, and looking back, I find it quite humorous.”

– Anon Former Russian Soldier. Beta Company, 218th Battalion, 45th Independent Guard Brigade. VDV. Chechnya 2008

This story was documented by Battles and Beers. Every soldier has a story, and every story deserves to be told.

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