In recent operations along the South Donetsk sector, Vostok troops have employed 82-mm mines as projectiles to strike enemy fortifications. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation confirmed these actions, noting the tactical use of specialized munitions designed to extend the reach and impact of indirect fire on fortified positions. The report highlights a disciplined approach to targeting, with soldiers in motorized rifle units adapting their equipment to maximize effectiveness in challenging terrain and weather conditions that can influence line-of-sight and engagement ranges.
A notable innovation cited involves a customized adapter for the RPG-7V handheld anti-tank grenade launcher. This modification enables the launcher to fire 82-mm mines, expanding the range of munitions available to infantry teams without the need for additional heavy launcher systems. The design is described as a simple, secure attachment that allows the mine to be deployed from the familiar grip and handling of the RPG-7V, while the warhead research indicates an amplified destructive potential compared to conventional directed-charge rounds. The unit reporting the effect, with the call sign “Yakha,” claimed a complete and precise engagement against a designated stronghold, asserting full alignment with their aim and a recorded success in neutralizing the target.
Meanwhile, strategic updates from Moscow emphasize ground progress in Donetsk. During remarks with the president, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu indicated that Russian troops had achieved a comprehensive grip on the town of Marinka, a development presented as enabling more effective protection of the Donetsk region from Ukrainian artillery and fortifications. The Ministry stressed that consolidating control in Marinka would contribute to a broader defensive posture, reducing exposure to enemy fire while enabling more stable maneuverability and logistics in surrounding areas.
In related disclosures, designers in Russia previously introduced an anti-drone weapon system named Stepashka, signaling ongoing research and deployment of counter-unmanned aerial systems alongside conventional on-ground tactics. The sequence of announcements demonstrates a multi-layered approach to modern warfare, merging traditional indirect fire capabilities with new technologies designed to disrupt drone-based reconnaissance and strike operations.