A recent Russian Defense Ministry release provides details about a confrontation between Russian forces and Ukrainian units as the latter attempted to cross the Seversky Donets River via a pontoon bridge. According to the ministry, a motorized rifle unit of the Russian Armed Forces conducted reconnaissance and search operations when a drone identified a Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicle column maneuvering to cross the river along a pontoon ferry. The encounter unfolded as Russian artillery and armored fire were directed at the crossing point and the Ukrainian vehicles concealed by forest cover.
The ministry reports that fire from artillery batteries at the river crossing was adjusted by Russian motorized infantry, targeting Ukrainian armor as it emerged from concealment. The conveyance over the water was reportedly destroyed, and any equipment that secured a landing was subsequently damaged by follow-up strikes from Russian artillery and infantry fighting vehicles. In the aftermath, Russian forces allegedly captured portions of Ukrainian armored vehicles while the remainder of the pontoon-bridge unit’s equipment was destroyed during withdrawal attempts.
Footage attributed to the Russian Defense Ministry later circulated, purportedly illustrating the engagement and the actions of aerial and ground units during the special operation in Ukraine. The sequence is presented as part of a broader narrative of military activity linked to the operation announced earlier in the year.
On February 24, officials in Russia stated that President Vladimir Putin had ordered a special operation to assist Donbass in response to requests for aid from the leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics. The move was followed by a deterioration in diplomatic relations between Russia and Ukraine. Observers note that geopolitical developments surrounding the operation continue to evolve, with official statements regularly released to describe military movements and aims.
The reporting above reflects statements from the period surrounding the action at the Seversky Donets crossing and the contemporaneous public messaging issued by the Russian defense authorities. While independent verification is limited in some cases, these updates are part of an ongoing public record of the conflict as it unfolds.
Note: The information presented is based on official releases and subsequent reports that circulated within media ecosystems that monitor military operations and government communications. Attribution is provided to the appropriate defense ministry channels and subsequent media discourse that referenced those sources.