Part of the process for writing Blue Shield and Blue Shield 2: DNIPRO is to prepare an Operations Order (OPORD) describing the plan for the coming battle so that I can structure my narrative over the top of it. But as the great Mike Tyson said, ""Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Enjoy!
CLASSIFICATION: SECRET // REL TO NATO/UKR COPY NO: 1 of 25 ISSUING HEADQUARTERS: HQ COALITION CORPS - SOUTH (TAVRIIA) PLACE OF ISSUE: ZAPORIZHZHIA, UKRAINE TIME GROUP: 081200Z MESSAGE REFERENCE: OPORD 26-001 (DNIPRO SHIELD)
TASK ORGANIZATION:
· CC-1 (Breach Division): 47th Mech Brig (UKR), 12th Armoured BCT (UK) [incl. 1 & 3 Royal Welsh], Kymi Engineer Bn (FIN), 14th Signal Regt EW (UK).
· CC-2 (Exploitation Division): Panzerlehrbrigade 9 (GER), 1st Warsaw Armoured Brig (POL), EloKaBtl 932 EW (GER).
· Flank Security Command: 7e Brigade Blindée (FRA), Karelia Brigade (FIN), 82nd Air Assault Brig (UKR).
· Corps Troops: 14th Unmanned Systems Regt (UKR), 44th Arty Brig (UKR), Joint C-UAS Task Force.
· Maritime Task Force: Black Sea Surface Group (TUR), Naval Drone Flotilla (UKR).
1. SITUATION a. Enemy Forces: Elements of Russian 58th and 5th Combined Arms Armies (CAA) occupy deeply echeloned defensive positions (three belts) along the Zaporizhzhia Line of Contact (LoC). Enemy tactics rely heavily on localized EW jamming (Pole-21, Zhitel) and saturated deployment of fiber-optic FPV munitions. Enemy reserves (76th VDV) are templated 40km rearward, capable of counter-attacking a penetration within 4 hours. b. Friendly Forces: Coalition Corps-South (CC-S) is consolidated North of the LoC. OSG Tavriia provides operational fires and deep strike capability. c. Terrain and Weather: Open terrain favors long-range observation and fields of fire. Mine density is extreme (>5 per m2 in primary belts). Weather is clear, favoring UAS operations for both sides.
2. MISSION CC-S conducts a deliberate breach of enemy defensive belts on the Tokmak axis commencing D-Day/H-Hour to secure Melitopol, sever the Russian Ground Line of Communication (GLOC), and establish blocking positions along the M14 highway to enable Phase II operations (isolation of Kherson forces).
3. EXECUTION a. Commander's Intent: * Purpose: To fracture the strategic land bridge.
· Key Tasks: (1) Neutralize enemy UAS/ISR capabilities in the breach sector via concentrated EW and physical strikes. (2) Conduct an autonomous-assisted combined arms breach. (3) Rapid passage of lines by exploitation forces. (4) Secure the flanks of the penetration corridor.
· End State: CC-S forces occupy Melitopol and have established a defensive "hard shoulder" facing East to defeat Donbas-based counter-attacks. Enemy forces West of Melitopol are isolated.
b. Concept of Operations: Operation DNIPRO SHIELD is conducted in four phases:
· Phase 0 (Shaping - H-72 to H-Hour): Corps troops conduct deep strikes against enemy C2, EW, and VBS (UAV) launch sites. 14th USR conducts continuous suppression of enemy drone hubs.
· Phase I (Breach - H-Hour to H+12): CC-1, led by 47th Mech (UKR), conducts explosive and UGV-assisted mechanical breaching to create three 50m lanes. GB and UKR EW units maintain localized RF denial ("Black Dome"). FI and GER rapid response units begin decoy attack in Berdiansk direction.
· Phase II (Exploitation - H+12 to H+72): ), 47th Mech (UKR), 12th ABCT (GBR), and FRDF (FIN) conducts a forward passage of lines through CC-1, bypassing isolated strongpoints to fix Russian forces around Tokmak and seize Melitopol.
· Phase III (Consolidation - H+72 onwards): ) CC-2 (PzLehrBrig 9 and 1st Warsaw) exploit breach. Flank Security Command deploys along the Eastern edge of the salient to defeat enemy counter-attacks. CC-1 reconstitutes to prepare for Phase IV (Westward and Southward exploitation).
c. Tasks to Subordinate Units:
· (1) CC-1: Main Effort 1. Conduct breach. Secure near-side and far-side objectives. Provide local C-UAS cover over breach lanes.
· (2) CC-2: Main Effort 2. On order, pass through CC-1. Fix Russian forces in Tokmak. Seize Melitopol. Sever M14 highway.
· (3) Flank Security Command: Supporting Effort 1. Follow and assume CC-2. Establish Eastern flank blocking positions.
· (4) Maritime Task Force: Conduct interdiction of Russian naval resupply from Crimea to Azov Sea ports.
· (5) Coalition Air Wing (CAW): Supporting Effort 2. Conduct Joint Air Operations to gain and maintain localized air superiority over the Tokmak-Melitopol corridor, enable the breach force, and isolate the battlefield from Russian reinforcement.
d. Coordinating Instructions:
· D-Day/H-Hour: TBD by Corps Commander.
· Joint Airspace Control & Air-Ground Integration: Due to the extreme density of tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and friendly Electronic Warfare (EW) "Black Dome" operations, airspace deconfliction is the critical vulnerability. All fixed-wing Close Air Support (CAS), Air Interdiction (AI), and MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) UAS operations must clear the Corps Joint Airspace Control Center (JACC).
· UAS Coordination: All fixed-wing and MALE UAS operations must clear the Corps Joint Airspace Control Center to avoid fratricide by friendly EW/Air Defense. FPV and tactical UAS operating below 500ft are decentralized to Battalion level.
4. SUSTAINMENT
· a. Logistics: Main Supply Route (MSR) ALPHA established along the T0408 highway. Class III (Fuel) and V (Ammo) forward operating bases established 10km North of LoC. Autonomous UGV assets prioritized for casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and final-mile Class V resupply within the breach lanes.
· b. Medical: Role 2 medical facilities established by GER and UK elements North of LoC. Role 3 at Zaporizhzhia.
5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
· a. Command: Tactical Command Post (TAC CP) CC-S moves forward with CC-1 behind the breach force. Main CP remains in Zaporizhzhia.
· b. Signal: Primary communications via chaotic frequency-hopping VHF/UHF and low-Earth orbit satellite. Secondary via fiber-optic tether where available. Strict emission control (EMCON) in effect prior to H-Hour.
ACKNOWLEDGE: COMMANDER, CC-S
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