Russian Ministry of Defense releases footage highlighting a sergeant’s actions in a high-profile anti-tank operation
The Russian Ministry of Defense released video footage detailing a battle in which Sergeant Yuri Shcherbakov, commander of an anti-tank guided missile team, played a pivotal role. Shcherbakov was later honored with the title of Hero of Russia, with the ministry sharing the clip on its official Telegram channel. The released footage focuses on the moment when objective control confirmed significant destruction of enemy assets during the engagement.
In the ministry’s description, the sergeant was recognized for a sequence of actions during a special operation. The account states that his team destroyed a substantial amount of Ukrainian military hardware and personnel, including nine tanks, four armored personnel carriers, 12 infantry fighting vehicles, four ammunition vehicles, and two other vehicles. In addition, the operation targeted more than 100 Ukrainian militants and disrupted enemy positions described as detachment strongholds. The ministry emphasizes that these actions occurred within a defined area and during a coordinated effort with neighboring units.
During the confrontation, Shcherbakov described how his crew repelled an assault from Ukrainian forces against adjacent units. He recalled hearing reports of an attack on a right-hand neighbor, after which he directed his team to fire. The sergeant stated that he stopped the fire and that the attack was fully halted, marking a decisive moment in the encounter.
The ministry’s release also notes prior successes in the Yuzhnodonetsk direction, framing the events within a broader context of ongoing operations in the region. The statements accompany the published video, which presents a sequence of actions intended to illustrate the effectiveness of the anti-tank team under Shcherbakov’s command.
Observers should note that the ministry’s materials reflect official assertions about battlefield results and heroic recognition. The footage serves to illustrate the sequence of events as described by the defense ministry and to provide a visual account of the actions attributed to the unit and its leadership. The release underscores the role of rapid-fire ATGM teams in countering armored threats and supporting neighboring units during critical moments of engagement. Attribution is provided to the official defense communication channels, with the material presented as part of a broader narrative about operational achievements in the region.