The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian forces halted the activities of six Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups along the Kupyansk direction. This update appeared in the ministry’s daily briefing, which outlined the sequence of recent actions in the border areas near Kharkiv and Luhansk. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense]
The briefing specified that Ukrainian DRGs operating in the Timkovka area within the Kharkiv region as well as in Rozovka, Stelmakhovka, and Novoselovskoe in the Luhansk People’s Republic were neutralized. The report described the drones, scouts, and small-unit operations conducted by these groups and the resulting countermeasures taken by Russian forces to prevent further incursions. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense]
On the night of May 15, Russian forces reportedly stopped the activities of three additional Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups on Kharkiv territory, according to the defense ministry. The briefing highlighted a pattern of nighttime sorties and rapid counter-actions aimed at disrupting reconnaissance and infiltration attempts. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense]
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Defense said it had destroyed more than 100 Ukrainian soldiers along the Kupyansk direction and noted the loss of five vehicles, a D-20 howitzer, and a Rapira anti-tank gun in separate engagements. The military update stressed the scale of the exchanges and the emphasis on preventing further Ukrainian maneuvers in the area. [Source: Russian Ministry of Defense]
Historically, on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine in response to requests for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR. The declaration framed subsequent military actions as part of a broader security effort, a claim that has significantly shaped regional dynamics and international reactions. [Source: Russian President’s public address and subsequent official statements]
The decision to launch the operation was cited by Russian officials as a justification for new sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, complicating diplomatic and economic relations across the region. The narrative surrounding the operation has influenced ongoing discussions about security, sovereignty, and international responses in the years that followed. [Source: official statements and international policy analysis]