In the course of a defensive operation between August 8 and 24, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Danilov’s battalion neutralised up to eight enemy reconnaissance groups, destroyed up to eight infantry fighting vehicles and about 15 Hummer vehicles, and captured one Ukrainian serviceman. When encircled, Danilov chose to draw the fire upon himself in order to cause maximum damage to the enemy. He sustained injuries as a result of the attack.
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Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Danilov: Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Federation Armed Forces,
I am Lieutenant Colonel Danilov, Commander of the 1st Motor Rifle Battalion of the 30th Motor Rifle Regiment.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, Mr Danilov. I have been eager to meet you. I am aware of your efforts in the Kursk Region. You have been there since August 8, correct?
Alexander Danilov: From August 8 to 24.
Vladimir Putin: So, you were involved almost immediately after the Ukrainian militants entered the Kursk Region?
Alexander Danilov: Yes, that is correct.
Vladimir Putin: And you were in command of a battalion?
Alexander Danilov: Yes, I was in command of a battalion in the village of Malaya Loknya.
Vladimir Putin: From what I understand, your unit was virtually surrounded, and you had to draw artillery fire upon your own position, correct?
Alexander Danilov: Yes, that is correct. That was indeed the situation.
Vladimir Putin: And then you managed to lead some of the people out of the encirclement, leaving them in a safer place, while you returned to your troops in the combat zone.
Alexander Danilov: I did not leave the combat zone. Instead, a guide who knew the route led people out. We evacuated the wounded, along with around 30 civilians and conscripts who came across us while retreating from their station, so they were evacuated with the local residents.
Vladimir Putin: Why did you have to call in artillery fire on yourselves?
Alexander Danilov: The enemy had us surrounded in a tight circle, and we only had ammunition for firearms and grenades left. So, I made the decision to call in fire on ourselves to inflict maximum losses on the enemy.
Vladimir Putin: But you and your troops managed to get out of the encirclement, and you even captured a prisoner?
Alexander Danilov: Yes, that is correct. I decided to send a couple of my men out at night, because the Ukrainian forces were bound to attack at dawn, to storm the penal colony [where the group was holding the line]. It could have been a losing battle for us. I assessed the situation and made the decision to send my men out. We cut away part of the back wall, and at 2.15 am, 31 of my men moved in a column towards a neighbouring stronghold, 1,200 metres away.
Vladimir Putin: Did you accomplish this with minimal casualties?
Alexander Danilov: With no casualties.
Vladimir Putin:Well done!
Alexander Danilov: Thank you.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Danilov, considering the highly professional execution of that combat mission, your ability to maintain command in an absolutely critical situation, your courageous and heroic actions, the Defence Ministry and the Chief of the General Staff have nominated you for the title of Hero of Russia. I will sign the executive order in the next few days. I would like to congratulate you and to thank you for your service to the Fatherland.
Alexander Danilov: Serving Russia!
Vladimir Putin: I know that you have been serving for a long time, and that you graduated from a military school.
Alexander Danilov: Yes, sir. I graduated from the Moscow Higher Combined Arms Command School in 2005.
Vladimir Putin: I spoke with the Chief of the General Staff today, and he proposed sending you to the Military Academy of the General Staff once you have recovered.
Alexander Danilov: I would be happy to go, as I have always planned to improve my professional skills.
Vladimir Putin: Good. That is what we will do then.