Ukraine crushes first Russian tank assault in months, burns armored vehicles (videos)
Photo: Russia advances on Kupiansk with tanks (Getty Images)
For the first time in a long period, Russian forces attempted a large-scale mechanized assault in the Kupiansk direction, using tanks, armored combat vehicles, and infantry. Ukrainian units' coordinated actions completely stopped the assault, reports the Operational-Strategic Group Dnipro and the Commander of the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment Achilles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
In the Kupiansk direction, Russian forces tried to launch a large-scale mechanized assault on the left bank of the Oskil River, specifically in the direction of Lyman Pershyi – Kupiansk.
According to the Operational-Strategic Group Dnipro, the Russians attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses using two tanks and three armored combat vehicles.
However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine delivered a strong counterattack. Equipment was damaged and destroyed, and about two dozen Russian infantry who fled the disabled vehicles were hit by fire.
"We hold the defense, destroy the enemy, and burn their equipment! Everything will be Ukraine!" the group said.
The Commander of the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment confirmed that following "successful talks" in Alaska, the Russians "believed in themselves" and attempted a mechanized assault with armored vehicles in the Kupiansk direction for the first time in a long period.
According to him, the enemy moved in a column consisting of:
- Two tanks;
- Three MT-LBs;
- About 40 personnel.
The military explained that, thanks to the coordinated actions of the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment Achilles, the 116th Separate Mechanized Brigade, and the 15th Brigade of Operational Assignment Kara-Dag, the assault was completely stopped, and all five Russian armored vehicles were destroyed.
Frontline situation
Over the past 24 hours, from August 15 to 16, Russian forces suffered significant losses in battles against Ukraine. The enemy lost more than 1,000 soldiers.
As of 4:00 PM Kyiv time on August 16, nearly 70 combat engagements were recorded along the front.
Earlier today, the 3rd Operational Assignment Spartan Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine reported that Russians attempted to advance toward Ukrainian positions in the Pokrovsk direction.
Shortly afterward, the General Staff said that Russian forces tried to transport a gun across the river on a truck over a damaged bridge in the Northern-Slobozhanskyi direction.
However, a Ukrainian drone detected and destroyed the vehicle while it was in motion.