Ukraine's operation Ashan stalled Russia's mechanized advance for six months, Defense Minister says
Photo: A Ukrainian soldier with an FPV drone (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine's Defense Forces struck 1,180 Russian targets during two phases of Operation Ashan, significantly weakening the enemy's offensive capabilities, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
According to Fedorov, the operation was designed to asymmetrically degrade Russia's offensive potential. To achieve this, the Defense Forces used specially developed drones, intelligence data, and a pre-planned strike schedule targeting Russian military equipment deep behind the front lines.
Last year, additional funding for the special operation was allocated on the initiative of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and by decision of Ukraine's Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief. During the first phase, Ukrainian forces struck 949 Russian targets over three days.
According to Fedorov, the operation forced Russian troops to move a significant amount of equipment away from the front line. It took Russia months to recover its losses, while its mechanized offensive was effectively stalled for about six months.
Several weeks ago, the Defense Forces carried out the operation for a second time. This phase focused primarily on Russian artillery, which remains one of the most significant threats on the battlefield.
A new type of munition was developed to destroy artillery systems during the second phase. As a result, Ukrainian forces struck 231 targets, 171 of which were destroyed.
During both phases of Operation Ashan, the Defense Forces struck a total of 1,180 Russian targets.
Unique footage of the Auchan Operation—a brilliant asymmetric strike where tech and precision planning halted a Russian mechanized offensive for 6 months.
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) July 7, 2026
This deep-rear operation struck 949 targets in just 3 days, forcing Russia to withdraw heavy armor. Recently, we repeated… pic.twitter.com/u67a9RrG4N
"Every such operation is more than destroyed equipment. It means disrupted enemy plans, fewer opportunities for their offensive, and a greater chance to save the lives of our servicemen," Fedorov emphasized.
The operation involved the National Guard's Lasar's Group special operations unit, the 412th Nemesis Separate Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and other Defense Forces units.
Earlier, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukrainian forces continue to systematically destroy Russian troops and equipment, disrupt enemy logistics, and strike military and critical infrastructure.
At the same time, he said that it is still too early to speak of a turning point in the war. According to Syrskyi, Russia retains significant offensive potential, builds up its troop numbers, increases the production of strike weapons, and is preparing for potential attacks on new sectors of the front.
