Ukraine thwarts Russian attempt to encircle key city in Donetsk region
Ukrainian forces thwarted Russian plans to encircle Druzhkivka and advance toward Dobropillia (photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region cleared out Russian troops that had been building up there throughout the summer, Ukraine's 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard said.
The operation was carried out by a special reconnaissance unit, forces from the 1st and 6th battalions of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, the Tuman Separate Special Forces Detachment of the 1st Azov Corps of the National Guard, and the Shkval Battalion of the 425th Skelia Separate Assault Regiment, with support from the National Guard's Lasar's Group Separate Special Purpose Detachment.
The Ukrainian forces reportedly began the operation in early August.
As a result, they thwarted the enemy's attempt to reach logistics routes in order to rapidly encircle Druzhkivka and launch an attack toward Dobropillia.
According to the commander of the 12th Azov Brigade, call sign Pugach, forces from Russia's 90th Tank Division and 8th Combined Arms Army were attempting to reach the logistics routes.
The operation was planned with representatives of all the units involved.
"The first task was to use firepower to isolate the area where the enemy grouping had accumulated to prevent further advances and create favorable conditions for our assault groups to move forward. I consider this task accomplished," Pugach said.
The commander of the Shkval Battalion, call sign Slip, said Ukrainian forces sought to minimize their losses during the operation.
"If it was difficult to clear out the enemy — if there were shelters or there was a risk that servicemen could be killed or wounded — we engaged them using both our assets and those of the 12th Brigade, including FPV drones and bomber drones. The response was quick. We tried to act quickly so the guys would not get hurt and could consolidate their positions at the point where the enemy was detected," Slip said.
Total Russian losses during the operation amounted to 237 killed and 44 wounded. In addition, three Russian troops were taken prisoner.
Operation Vivaldi
Ukraine's Third Army Corps launched the Vivaldi offensive operation in the northern Donetsk region.
Over the course of a week, the Ukrainian Defense Forces made further advances, clearing and liberating several settlements. A total of 125 square kilometers of territory has already been returned to Ukrainian control.
In particular, Ukrainian forces drove Russian troops out of the village of Serednie without suffering any losses, fully clearing the settlement and bringing it under their control.
In addition, the Ukrainian Defense Forces previously liberated an area larger than Zhytomyr. During the fighting, Ukrainian troops eliminated concealed enemy forces and established a bridgehead for further advances in the region.
