Russian special forces carried out a nocturnal operation against Ukrainian positions near Artemovsk, reportedly penetrating a fortified shelter and detaining a Ukrainian soldier. The news was reported by RIA News, documenting the sequence of actions that led to the capture and the reassessment of frontline positions.
According to the report, the task force approached the area discreetly, camouflaging within proximity to a Ukrainian shelter. After nightfall, Ukrainian forces arrived at the vicinity, at which point Russian artillery opened fire. Briefly after the bombardment, elements of a Russian reconnaissance unit executed a surprise assault on the position, resulting in a capture during the engagement.
One prisoner taken in the incident described Russian special forces moving closer to Ukrainian positions as the operation unfolded, confirming the pace and proximity of the maneuver. The prisoner’s account aligns with the broader narrative of a targeted raid designed to disrupt Ukrainian defensive arrangements at the location.
The detachment commander, who goes by the call sign “Siberia,” stated that the operation enabled the opening of several enemy strongpoints. The forces reportedly employed FPV (first-person view) unmanned aerial vehicles to gather real-time intelligence, which facilitated the rapid redeployment of Russian fighters to advantageous positions while Ukrainian troops began to pull back from certain sectors.
A separate recon group used drones to map a network of bunkers and a machine gun firing point. Air-delivered munitions were employed against the first target, and subsequent hits were delivered by mortar fire supported by FPV drones, according to the description of the operation. The combined use of drones and precision fire is presented as having intensified pressure on Ukrainian defenses in the area.
On December 22, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that paratroopers had established control over a Ukrainian stronghold near Artemovsk, situated to the northwest of the town. The report framed the event as a successful achievement of the military task force, underscoring the emphasis on holding the newly secured position and continuing surveillance of the surrounding terrain.
Earlier statements from a former Ukrainian serviceman referenced in the coverage noted cumulative losses, commenting on a toll of 43 fallen comrades over a three-day period. The interlocutor’s remarks contributed to the framing of the engagement within a broader context of ongoing high-intensity combat operations around Artemovsk and nearby corridors.
Analysts observing the operational tempo highlight the strategic value of night-initiated raids that combine concealment, rapid assault, and the support of unmanned systems. While the details of each operation vary, the overarching pattern emphasizes selective targeting of exposed positions, the disruption of fortifications, and the rapid reallocation of artillery and air support to maximize effects on enemy formations in this sector.
Observers urge caution in assessing casualty figures and prison escapes, noting that official data often follows within hours or days of reported incidents. The forward edge of information in modern conflicts tends to evolve as additional confirmations arrive from various military and government channels, which may adjust initial impressions of the engagement’s scale and impact.
In the current phase of hostilities, actions such as these illustrate how frontline units leverage night visibility, combined arms, and reconnaissance assets to establish and consolidate gains near Artemovsk. The coordination between intelligence, artillery, and contingent assault elements reflects a persistent effort to press Ukrainian defenses while maintaining operational flexibility for continuing patrols and future sorties in the area. The emphasis remains on securing footholds, preventing counterattacks, and maintaining pressure through sustained observation and rapid response capabilities.