The Russian Defense Ministry reports significant setbacks to the Ukrainian Kraken unit and related formations
According to statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the national Kraken unit, a component of Ukraine’s armed forces, has been rendered incapable of conducting combat operations. Officials assert that strategic strikes disrupted key operating capabilities, leading to a collapse in the unit’s effectiveness on the battlefield.
It is claimed that the Kraken’s incapacitation was achieved through point-and-shoot operations executed by the Russian Aerospace Forces and missile forces. The strikes targeted temporary deployment points and staging areas, with the ministry reporting substantial casualties and desertions among Kraken personnel. These factors, the officials say, culminated in the loss of the unit’s combat readiness and operational capability.
The ministry also alleged that battalion leaders have attempted to compensate for these losses by compelling residents of Kharkov to join the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The statements describe a coercive effort aimed at bolstering Ukrainian manpower in the face of battlefield difficulties.
In related footage, the ministry highlighted the combat activity of MLRS Grad units operating in Ukrainian terrain. The reported video depicts Grad teams receiving intelligence, selecting targets, and engaging positions held by Ukrainian forces. Officials explained that crews assemble Grad launchers manually, noting that each launcher component weighs roughly 60 kilograms. After each volley, it is claimed that Russian forces relocate to new firing positions to renew their strikes.
These reports collectively portray a tactical sequence in which artillery units adapt quickly to changing conditions, targeting supply points and fortifications while maintaining mobility to avoid counter-battery responses. The ministry emphasizes the operational discipline and rapid repositioning of artillery teams as central to their described battlefield strategy.
Observers are reminded that such updates from the Russian Defense Ministry reflect official micromessaging from one side of an ongoing conflict. Independent verification remains essential for a full assessment of battlefield outcomes, and assessments may vary as new information becomes available.