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The enemy’s tactic of total infiltration into the close rear of the Defence Forces has become one of the most dangerous challenges for Ukrainian fighters.
About her experience countering this “poisonous” enemy tactic, her combat path, the motivation to strike Russian invaders and her main wish for Ukrainians, ArmyInform correspondent was told by reconnaissance scout Natalia, call-sign “Batman,” of the 151st Separate Reconnaissance-Strike Battalion of the 10th Army Corps.
A pointy-eared hat made from a tunnel scarf
Natalka, call-sign “Batman,” is originally from Zhytomyr region. She first joined the Armed Forces back at the start of repelling Russian aggression during the ATO period.
— I’m now serving in the Armed Forces for the second time. The first time I served was from 2015 to 2017. And now I returned in August 2024 after a break, — she says.
The decision to join the military was not spontaneous for Natalia — she had dreamed of military service since childhood and prepared well.
— One fine moment, just after a night shift at a gas station, already with my packed bag, I went to the military enlistment office and said, “I want to serve,” — remembers “Batman.”
She earned her call-sign thanks to a mishap — a lost hat. She could not appear at formation without headgear, so she solved the problem creatively — she fashioned a hat from a tube scarf, which is also called a tunnel. The result was something with pointed ears, resembling the famous mask of Gotham’s superhero.
— The commander gave me a tunnel — and I twisted it into a kind of hat with cat ears. I wore it to formation, on patrols, ran across the field in it. That’s how, because of the resemblance to Batman, the call-sign appeared, — Natalia smiles.
No drone can replace the boots and eyes of a patrol scout
From the very beginning of her service in 2015 – 2017, “Batman” in reconnaissance tracked the movement of enemy equipment, identified positions and clarified the enemy’s plans.
— I had to observe how their equipment moves, where they relocate to, at what time, where they stop, and for what purpose. We detected, monitored, escorted — and then, thanks to our data, we inflicted strikes on the enemy, — the scout recalls.
Now foot reconnaissance has become considerably more difficult because of the prevalence of enemy drones that watch the skies around the clock, trying to see every area and detect any movement on the ground.
— It’s much harder now than it was in 2015 – 2017. Reconnaissance won’t go as easily as it did then — you need to plan much more carefully, camouflage better, move faster, — Natalia explains.
Nevertheless, despite this, foot reconnaissance has not lost its significance. Nothing can truly replace the feet and eyes of a patrol scout in the gray zone between our own and enemy positions and in the enemy’s close rear.
— Of course, our drones also monitor everything around, but foot reconnaissance still, no matter what, cannot be fully replaced. We see things that no UAV will notice. We conduct clearances, capture prisoners, stage sabotage, — lists the scout the components of reconnaissance work.
“I think we are role models”
In 2017 Natalia left the Armed Forces, became a mother and, it seemed, returned to civilian life for good. But the large-scale invasion changed everything — the scout returned to the ranks.
— The war took many comrades, and those who fought called me back: “Come on, sister, come back!” At first I refused because my child was very small. Now my son is already six years old — and he let me go with tears in his eyes, — the woman says without hiding her emotions.
Now Natalia often talks with her son by phone, explaining that she went to defend Ukraine for his sake. The Armed Forces need motivated service members who hold the front.
— We always speak by video call, by phone. We are constantly in touch. Unfortunately, over the phone network, but I think I’m not the only one like that — many mothers are fighting now, many mothers who stand and defend our Ukraine. I think we are role models, — says “Batman.”
The military woman’s words convey confidence in the choice she made. She is convinced that the best thing she can do for her son now is to protect his peaceful life at the rear.
— Of course, at first it was hard, but my son understood me and supports me the same way I support him. There is a great distance between us, but we are always together, — Natalia smiles.
“An ‘arc’ instead of an ‘oar’, but muscle memory didn’t disappear”
Restoring weapon-handling skills after a long break was somewhat difficult, but comrades helped, and muscle memory began to return on its own.
— I quickly regained the skills. As comrades who have devoted their whole lives to reconnaissance said: “A reconnaissance scout once — a reconnaissance scout forever,” — says “Batman.”
She had to master a lot of new things as well, because now, instead of the familiar but outdated AK-74, reconnaissance troops have received the most modern weapons.
— The weapons now are modern, not the “oar” that we had in 2015–2017. We’ve already adapted to the new ones. It’s an M4 assault rifle — a quality weapon, more convenient than what we had before. Also good modern equipment — thermal imagers, monoculars, night-vision devices, — the scout recounts.
After returning to service in August 2024 she had to train with the group, undergo combat rehearsals, and restore tactical skills.
— When I came back, I immediately joined the ranks, began preparing with the group, undergoing tactical and physical training. The war has changed now, but comrades quickly taught me everything new, — Natalia assures.
After being wounded — back to the ranks
Natalia had to participate in combat actions on one of the hottest directions in the Kupiansk area, where the enemy intensified offensive actions starting in the summer of 2024.
— Kindrashivka, Tyshchenkivka, Sokolivka, — she recalls the settlements near which she went out on combat missions. — I was wounded then, but I have now completed the rehabilitation period, recovered, passed the military medical conmission and was declared fully fit for military service, — says “Batman.”
The wound did not stop the scout and now she has already resumed her habitual duties. What motivated her to return to the ranks as quickly as possible was the need to help comrades and hatred of the occupiers.
— You know, I guess first and foremost it’s the enemy who motivates me. Just such fierce hatred of him because he destroyed our peaceful life. Probably he motivates us himself, because only we can destroy him, — she says firmly.
However, Natalia notes, hatred of the occupiers should not cloud the sharp mind and watchful eye of a scout. In war, the head must be cool and thoughts clear, she is convinced.
— The enemy is very cunning and treacherous. He must not be underestimated — one should fight him as seriously as possible. But we are ready for his tricks because we have already learned what he is capable of. And now every time we try to act proactively, — assures “Batman.”
“A very poisonous tactic”
One of the most important and at the same time most difficult tasks for Ukrainian reconnaissance is detecting small enemy infantry groups that try to sneak unnoticed into the close rear of the Defence Forces.
— If one gets through, he sits and waits for the second, for the third. They gather, gather, gather. And then they wait for orders about which point to move to next. And likewise they move one by one, two by two to the next point, — Natalia describes the enemy’s tactics.
The scout rightly considers such an enemy tactic extremely dangerous, because enemy infantry that have penetrated the close rear can destroy defenses.
— This is a very poisonous tactic. They can get into the rear, can reveal the positions of our mortar crews or our drone operators. Our task is to detect these “loopholes” through which they move unnoticed by our UAVs and to close them, — continues “Batman.”
One cannot overestimate the role of foot reconnaissance in countering the enemy’s “total infiltration” tactic — it is reconnaissance that can not only detect but also block the gaps through which the enemy slips.
— If we detect the route they use, we can set up an ambush and eliminate them one by one. We can notify the UAV crews so they begin monitoring and send drones with strikes or FPV units. And if we find an enemy group in a shelter, then we conduct a clearance, — explains the scout.
“Albanets, chase them!”
However, sometimes even the most experienced reconnaissance scouts fail to remain unseen by the enemy. Natalia recalls how she and a comrade were spotted by an enemy FPV drone and a hunt for Ukrainian soldiers began.
— I was running ahead and shouting: “Albanets, chase them! Albanets, chase them!” Fortunately, a huge, wide, enormous oak was ahead of us. We immediately fell down by it, and the FPV just flew past us to the side, — she recounts.
That moment, when they had to run as if racing with death, is deeply imprinted in her memory.
— Adrenaline, of course, was off the charts then. We were in the field, an FPV was flying at us — and we were fleeing. So we ran quite a bit. Then along a trail, into a copse — and we reached the point, — the scout continues.
Fortunately, everything ended well then — the enemy pilot couldn’t maneuver and lost sight of the scouts.
When asked what Ukrainians lack most now and what she would like to wish us all, Natalia answers:
— I would wish God’s blessing for every fighter, for every soldier who is someone’s father, brother, son, uncle. And also — unity for us, unity in the ranks and unity for us at the rear. We are all tired of the war, but we will only be able to finish it when we are united. So to all Ukrainians — more unity, friendliness toward one another.
