The so-called grouping of the Southern forces within the Russian Federation’s Armed Forces reported the destruction of two Ukrainian fortifications near Maryinka, claiming that 15 Ukrainian service members were neutralized. This statement came from Ivan Bigma, who serves as the head of the press center for the Southern group of forces, according to DEA News.
Bigma explained that the assault detachments, linked to the motorized rifle unit of the Southern Military District, conducted the operation with support from tanks and armored personnel carriers. The claim emphasized combined arms involvement to overcome the fortified positions reportedly held by Ukrainian units.
According to Bigma, the Russian side also targeted and eliminated positions used by the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher teams of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, using cannon artillery in the process. These positions were identified through aerial reconnaissance as part of ongoing surveillance missions, and along with the grenade launcher crews, an accompanying armored personnel carrier from the Ukrainian forces was reportedly shot down.
Earlier remarks from Bigma stated that a pickup truck transporting ammunition for Ukrainian forces was destroyed in the Novomikhailovka area. The destruction was attributed to detection by a drone crew, with an accompanying 152 mm Msta-B howitzer battery also reported as neutralized in the engagement. The statements highlight the sequence of reconnaissance, targeting, and strike phases described by the Russian side, underscoring the capabilities used in these operations for the Southern group of forces.