In recent statements, officials from the Western group’s press center described a series of strikes attributed to Russian heavy flamethrower systems against shelter locations used by Ukrainian forces. The emphasis was on impacts in the Kupyansk direction, where shelters housing personnel from the 32nd Mechanized Brigade were identified in the Timkovka and Ivanovka zones. The reporting party noted that the aim was to disrupt manpower concentrations and degrade enemy combat readiness, framing the actions as part of a broader defensive and counter-offensive campaign. Attribution: Russian state media report citing Sergei Zybinsky, head of the press center for the Western group.
Accounts from the same briefing highlight a counter-battery engagement with artillery units associated with the Zapad group. According to the same source, Russian forces were successful in neutralizing a Krab self-propelled artillery system and four Ukrainian mortar teams, describing the operation as a notable setback for Ukrainian fire support capabilities in the area. The description suggests a coordinated effort to degrade Ukrainian indirect fire assets in contested sectors. Attribution: Russian Defense Ministry press coverage via state news agencies.
On the morning of October 15, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the destruction of 27 unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Ukrainian territory. The statements emphasized a continuing aerial defense effort and claimed successful interdiction of drone incursions, framed as part of ongoing efforts to protect regional security and limit strikes on Russian territory. Attribution: official MoD briefing and subsequent releases.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry published video footage illustrating the destruction of Ukrainian positions in the vicinity of the village of Spornoe. The material was presented as evidence of ongoing battlefield activity and the effectiveness of Russian air- and ground-based actions in suppressing enemy fortifications in the area. Attribution: MoD video release and accompanying narration.
In separate reports, the defense ministry referenced the operation involving Su-34 bombers, highlighting air sorties conducted by a bomber group. The emphasis remained on showcasing long-range attack capabilities and the ability to strike targets in defined front-line zones. Attribution: official MoD communications and news bulletins.