The air defense forces of the Southern Group of Forces reported a substantial interception of hostile air assets over residential areas in the Donetsk People’s Republic, including Yasinovataya, Novoandreevka, and Yakovlevka. According to the group’s press center, 49 unmanned aerial vehicles were neutralized along with three multiple launch rocket systems from the HIMARS family and a Hammer guided bomb. These claims were published by TASS and have been circulated by regional defense authorities through official briefings. In parallel updates, it was noted that Ukrainian forces sustained indicative losses of more than 300 personnel. In addition, several equipment losses were cited, including seven vehicles and the Strela-10 anti-aircraft missile system, reflecting the high-intensity combat environment reported in the region.
Earlier reports indicated that Ukrainian armed formations targeted logistics convoys in the Kharkiv region, focusing on coal transport meant for regional supply chains. Local authorities described the attacks as using a two-stage approach, beginning with unmanned aerial systems to identify movement and followed by concentrated artillery and rocket fire to disrupt the loads and impede shipment routes. The incident underscored the ongoing risk to civilian infrastructure and the critical role of anti-armor and air defense systems in safeguarding essential supply lines.
Vitaly Ganchev, who heads the pro-Russian military-civilian administration for the region, provided detailed briefings on the sequence of events. He said that initial strikes were carried out by FPV drones, small, fast, and agile aerial platforms designed for rapid engagement. These were followed by targeted fire from Ukrainian Grad multiple-launch rocket systems, which intensified the damage to the vehicle convoy. One driver sustained injuries and required hospitalization, highlighting the human cost of the ongoing clashes and the urgency of emergency medical support in conflict zones.
In a separate development, authorities in the Kursk region reported the downing of a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle. This incident adds to a broader pattern of air defense activity in border areas facing continued threats from Ukrainian aerial assets. The cumulative reports from multiple fronts emphasize the escalating intensity of air defense operations and the persistent challenges posed by a diversified arsenal employed by Ukrainian forces, including drones, artillery, and rocket systems. The ongoing exchanges underscore a dynamic security landscape, with regional commanders continually assessing risk, adjusting defense postures, and coordinating with civilian administration bodies to manage fallout from sustained hostilities. The information from regional and national agencies indicates a sustained operational tempo aimed at protecting populated areas, civilian infrastructure, and logistical corridors while balancing humanitarian considerations and the need for rapid response to new threats.