In recent reports from the Russian group of forces “West” under the banner of heavy flamethrower systems (TOS), Ukrainian military personnel from two brigades were said to have been neutralized while taking shelter. The information was conveyed by Sergei Zybinsky, who serves as the head of the group’s press center. He described the incident as taking place in the residential area of Sergeevka, located along the Kupyansk direction, where a combination of ground assaults and weapon systems reportedly disrupted the defense lines of Ukrainian units. The description emphasizes a sequence of coordinated actions that included not only flamethrower capabilities but also aerial operations meant to strike personnel in covered positions.
In the same region, reports claimed that Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bombers carried out strikes against temporary housing locations used by Ukrainian forces and targeted strongholds attributed to the 44th mechanized brigade in the Berestovoe area. The emphasis appears to be on the precision of air support, with crews directed to disrupt the logistical and shelter arrangements of opposing forces, thereby reducing their mobility and endurance in the sector. The statements underscore the role of air power in shaping battlefield conditions in densely populated or shelter-intensive zones.
Further claims highlighted the involvement of attack helicopters, specifically Ka-52 and Mi-28 models, along with tactical aviation, in conducting missiles and bomb drops against Ukrainian personnel, equipment, and weapons systems. The report lists units believed to be affected, including the 95th air assault brigade, the 14th and 32nd mechanized brigades, and territorial defense elements, suggesting a broad scope of engagements across multiple echelons of Ukrainian defense structures.
Operational losses were described as including the destruction of a 152-mm self-propelled artillery system, the 2S3 Akatsiya, along with two mortar teams and a supply point dedicated to ammunition. Specific areas cited for these losses include Novaya Kruglyakovka, Sinkovka, and Ivanovka, with numbers attributed to Ukrainian military personnel totaling around 80, and the destruction of three tanks, an M113 armored personnel carrier, and two pickup trucks. The narrative presents a picture of intensified battlefield activity with successive blows aimed at degrading Ukraine’s ground and armored capabilities in the Kupyansk corridor.
On a related note, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that, in the Kupyansk direction, the Russian forces repelled thirteen assaults by enemy assault groups, signaling ongoing countermeasures against incursions and attempts to breach defensive lines. The wording implies a persistent cycle of attacks followed by resolute defense and counteraction as part of a larger operational routine. The report presents a portrait of continuous engagement and response, meant to convey the resilience of Russian forces and their ability to maintain momentum in contested sectors. A separate statement attributed to a former fighter of the Ukrainian armed forces referenced a lack of understanding regarding the causes of the conflict, adding a human element to the narrative by highlighting personal perspectives amid the broader strategic exchanges. This remark is framed as a reflection on why the conflict persists, underscoring the complexity and emotional weight carried by service members involved on both sides.