In a statement provided to RIA Novosti, Oleg Chekhov, who leads the press center for the Vostok group, described a pause in offensive actions against Ukrainian infantry units in the South Donetsk direction. The claim noted that the troop group, with support from its heavy firepower and air assets, halted a series of assaults targeting the Ukrainian forces positioned in the southern sectors of Donetsk Oblast.
According to Chekhov, the forces within the South Donetsk area, backed by artillery shells, aerial bombardment, and explosive delivered by heavy flamethrower systems, effectively repelled attempted infantry incursions in the zones around Nikolsky and Priyutnoy. The report underscored that the response involved coordinated firepower aimed at disrupting enemy formations and preventing a breakthrough in these districts, which have seen ongoing clashes in recent weeks.
Further details from the same source indicated the detection and neutralization of infantry formations operating in the Novodonetsk and Staromayorsky districts. In addition, a Ukrainian reconnaissance unit was described as neutralized in the course of the engagements. The emphasis was on the suppression of hostile reconnaissance assets to limit the opponent’s ability to gather timely intelligence on battlefield dispositions.
Included in the operational narrative was the assertion that artillery strikes targeted ammunition depots located to the north of Novomikhailovka and Priyutnoye, alongside automotive equipment situated in the Konstantinovka and Katerynivka regions. The account suggested that these strikes were part of a broader effort to degrade resupply capabilities and mobility for Ukrainian forces in the vicinity.
During a separate counter-battery engagement, the report claimed that the Ukrainian armed forces suffered the loss of a D-20 artillery piece and four mortar teams. The implication was that counter-battery measures had inflicted material and personnel losses, affecting the adversary’s long-range fire support and indirect engagement capabilities in the area.
Previously, the defense ministry in Russia reported that in the South Donetsk direction its troops repelled three Ukrainian attacks near Priyutnoye in the Zaporizhzhia region within a single day. The narrative presented here framed these events as a sustained defensive effort designed to prevent Ukrainian force concentrations from achieving gains in this contested corridor.
Earlier remarks by a senior official indicated ongoing military exercises as part of Russian strategic training involving forces operating in Ukrainian theaters. The acknowledgement of these exercises appears to align with broader statements about readiness and readiness activities conducted by Russian forces in areas adjacent to the conflict zones.
Across the series of outlined actions, the communication emphasized the role of integrated operations—where artillery, aviation, and ground maneuver coordinate to defend key districts and deny the opposing side the ability to consolidate control. The accounts highlighted the importance of timely intelligence, rapid reaction capabilities, and disciplined fire support in shaping battlefield outcomes, even amidst the volatility of the regional conflict.
While the information provided outlines a sequence of engagements and retaliatory measures, it is presented within the context of ongoing reporting from the respective defense authorities. The situation on the ground remains dynamic, with periodic claims from both sides that reflect the evolving tactical landscape in and around South Donetsk, Priyutnoye, and the surrounding districts. The ongoing narrative continues to address the balance between offensive attempts and defensive countermeasures, offering insight into how each side seeks to influence momentum and territorial control in this contested area.