Reports from official channels indicate that Russian forces targeted key Ukrainian air defense assets, including the S-300 system’s illumination and surveillance radar. The disclosure, attributed to the Russian Ministry of Defense, frames the strike as part of a broader operation to degrade Ukrainian air defense capabilities and reduce battlefield mobility for Ukrainian forces. The claim emphasizes a coordinated attack carried out by a mix of aviation assets and unmanned systems, supported by rocket artillery. While the precise composition of the attacking force was described as including operational-tactical aviation and drones, the ministry underscored the role of a multi-service approach designed to maximize impact on high-value targets within the zone of operations.
In addition to disabling the S-300 radar, the statement alleged the destruction of an ammunition depot, a storage facility for fuel and lubricants, and a warehouse used for the storage and production of unmanned aerial vehicles. The reported losses also included manpower and military hardware, which the ministry framed as part of a sweeping interdiction against logistical and operational bottlenecks believed to constrain Ukrainian combat effectiveness. The described sequence of events suggests an emphasis on crippling supply chains and degrading the Ukrainian military’s ability to project force in the area. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense, as reported]
Earlier in the same communications batch, the Russian defense ministry asserted the liberation of the village of Petrovskoye in the Avdeevsky direction, presenting this as a strategic gain that enhances Russian operational reach in the Donetsk region. The report characterizes the advance as creating more favorable positions for Russian troops in the neighboring settlements and as part of a broader effort to consolidate control over disputed terrain. The description aligns with Russia’s ongoing narrative of advancing on multiple axes to pressure Ukrainian defenses and disrupt command and control in contested sectors. [Attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense]
According to the ministry, Russian forces established more advantageous positions in a cluster of settlements within the Donetsk People’s Republic, including Leninskoye, Novgorodskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Tonenkoye, Orlovka, and Pervomaiskoye. The release claims that these moves were accompanied by the repulsion of 11 Ukrainian counterattacks staged by assault groups. The emphasis appears to be on maintaining local dominance, denying Ukrainian forces the ability to regain momentum, and exploiting perceived gaps in Ukrainian defense lines. Analysts note that such claims are often part of a broader information strategy to shape perceptions of momentum on the battlefield. [Observation: official statements]
Meanwhile, a separate public statement attributed to a Ukrainian commander asserted that Russia possesses an advantage in the deployment and utilization of FPV (first-person view) drones. This assertion highlights the ongoing competition in drone warfare, where lightweight, agile unmanned platforms can influence close-quarters engagements and reconnaissance efforts. The Ukrainian side’s response reflects the continuing emphasis on countermeasures to FPV drone capabilities, including hardening sensors, improving anti-drone defenses, and adapting tactical formations to minimize exposure to drone-enabled strikes. [Commentary from Ukrainian military leadership]