Reports from the Russian Ministry of Defense describe Russian airborne units employing Shmel rocket-propelled infantry flamethrowers to eliminate Ukrainian positions. The official statement notes that fire damage was delivered by a combination of small arms, RPG-7d handheld anti-tank grenade launchers, and the RPO-A Shmel systems, targeting exposed enemy firing points.
The release also mentions that the Ukrainian platoon fortress was identified by drones, after which artillery opened fire on the defending forces. Following the bombardment, paratroopers conducted an assault and swept through the Ukrainian stronghold in an effort to locate resistance that could impede advance.
According to the ministry, the Ukrainian side withdrew as battle losses mounted, leaving behind weapons, ammunition, and casualties. Earlier reports from the military operation provided figures for Donetsk direction, noting daily losses of more than 250 personnel from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with several tanks, armored vehicles, and field guns. The described air and ground actions illustrate a coordinated sequence of reconnaissance, bombardment, and assault commonly used to probe and degrade fortified positions.
In the broader context of the ongoing conflict, such disclosures highlight the roles of different armoured and infantry systems in shaping frontline dynamics. The use of flamethrower-equipped units, combined with conventional firepower, underscores the emphasis on suppressing open firing points and destabilizing enemy fortifications to facilitate follow-on movements by advancing units.