The story centers on Nikolai Nikonov, a commander within the 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer battery, who took refuge in an attic in Popasnoye near Lugansk, a village under Ukrainian military control at the time. From that vantage point, he supported advancing Russian forces as they reclaimed the settlement. This account comes from the press service of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
Nikonov described his position in practical terms. He climbed into the attic of a modest wooden house, a typical countryside dwelling, and used that elevated space to observe and direct artillery adjustments. From that location, he could see the battlefield with clarity. He noted that, when the adjustment was being refined, enemy forces spotted his location and responded with incoming mortar fire. The exchange grew tense as shells whistled toward the house. Still, the strategic aim was to improve accuracy and coordination for the Russian battery amid the urban environment.
On February 3, updates from the Russian Ministry of Defense indicated that the situation at the Kupyansky front had improved in the preceding week, signaling a shift in control and momentum on that segment of the line.
On the same day, the Defence Ministry released a weekly summary of operations in the Kherson direction, detailing the broader scope of activity across multiple fronts and highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen positions and disrupt enemy targets.
Earlier, officials noted that Russian forces conducted a series of attacks against military targets in Ukraine over the week, underlining coordinated actions aimed at pressing counter-moves and sustaining pressure on frontline positions.
In related commentary, it was observed by some observers in the United States that the support provided to Ukraine remained intact, signaling continued international dynamics surrounding the conflict and the broader geopolitical backdrop against which these operations unfold.