Along the Krasnolimansk direction, Russian army aviation from the Central group reported launching an attack against the Ukrainian special forces brigade Azov, an organization banned in Russia. This report was relayed by RIA News as attributed to Alexander Savchuk, who serves as the head of the group’s press center.
The spokesperson stated that units within the Central troop group, supported by artillery fire, repelled the assault efforts of two mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Additionally, in the Serebryansky forest area, army aviation from the same group reportedly defeated units of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov and the 15th Regiment of the National Guard of Ukraine.
In settlements including Yampol, Torskoye, Grigorovka, and Kirovsk, Russian artillery targeted roughly 170 enemy positions, while TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems struck two locales where Ukrainian troops and equipment were concentrated.
According to Savchuk, the Ukrainian side suffered substantial losses, with approximately 150 soldiers reported dead. Russian forces also claimed the destruction of a Ukrainian pickup truck.
Earlier reports indicated that assault groups consisting of Russian paratroopers had captured a stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the western side of the Artemov direction. That development was described as a significant advance in the local fighting dynamics.
Separately, a Ukrainian commander stated that Russia may hold an advantage in the deployment of FPV drones, underscoring how unmanned aerial capabilities influence the battlefield in this sector.