Russian military officials reported that artillery from the Center group engaged and suppressed roughly two dozen Ukrainian artillery crews operating in the Krasnolimansk direction. The claim was conveyed by the group’s press center head, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Savchuk.
According to Savchuk, artillery fire and air strikes targeted assault formations of the 63rd mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the 12th special forces brigade Azov (an organization banned in Russia), and the 5th brigade of the Ukrainian National Guard in the Torsky district and the Serebryansky forest area. He noted that flamethrower systems were employed against a fortified position in Grigorovka, within the Donetsk People’s Republic region.
He added that, as part of a counter-battery operation, up to 20 Ukrainian artillery crews were engaged and suppressed, 120-mm mortars were struck, and an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored vehicle, and a pickup were destroyed. A truck was reported destroyed as well.
Savchuk also stated that air defense systems intercepted and shot down a missile launched from the American HIMARS multiple launch rocket system.
On the previous day, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the elimination of more than 45 Ukrainian soldiers in the Kherson direction within a single day.
Earlier reports from the United States addressed concerns about the progress of Ukraine’s counteroffensive, with assessments differing on its effectiveness and momentum.