Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk region/Photo: Suspilne Donbas/Valentyna Gurova
Ukrainian paratroopers are preventing the occupiers from advancing into Vuhledar and Kurakhove. Earlier paratroopers successfully repelled a massive Russian assault. This happened on the left flank of Vuhledar’s defenses. During the attack, the occupiers deployed 44 armored vehicles. These include 35 armored personnel carriers and nine tanks.
This was stated by Orest Drymalovskyi, a spokesman for the 79th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of Tauride, in an interview with Hromadske Radio.
Drymalovskyi stated that the occupiers launched this assault four days ago. Two days after the initial attack was repelled, Russian forces attempted another assault using 20 armored vehicles.
“Our paratroopers once again faced this battle with great fortitude and courage, inflicting losses on the enemy. They did not allow the enemy to advance. In fact, they caused panic among the occupiers’ combat formations. After the first armored vehicles were hit, Russian forces began to retreat», — Drymalovskyi said.
He noted that Russian forces near Vuhledar are employing combined assault tactics. However, during each assault, they suffer significant losses. These include several dozen soldiers, tanks, and armored combat vehicles.
“Enemy artillery and aircraft are working very intensively, striking both the frontline and our rear. Russian drones are highly active, with reconnaissance drones constantly monitoring the battlefield for targets, along with attack drones, including cheap FPV models», — added Drymalovskyi.
According to him, the Russians can launch up to 100 FPV drones in a single day, each targeting different objectives, complicating frontline logistics. However, the Ukrainian military is also using drones and deploying electronic warfare systems to suppress Russian drones. Paratroopers are shooting down some drones with small arms.
“Their Superkamas, Zalas, and Orlans are constantly hovering above. In the sky over Kostiantynivka in the Marinka community and neighboring villages, it looks like a modern airport, except the aircraft are unmanned. There are hundreds of drones—both ours and theirs», — he explained.
Drymalovskyi emphasized that Ukrainian forces need modern technologies, such as radar stations, to identify the exact coordinates of enemy reconnaissance drones, which would help in shooting them down and saving lives.
He also pointed out that Russian forces are continually replenishing their units opposite the Mykolaiv paratroopers with new equipment and «cannon fodder.»
“The Russians have the capability to rotate their troops, unlike the paratroopers of the 79th Separate Air Assault Tavriya Brigade, which has been stationed at one of the toughest frontline areas for two years without any withdrawal or rest», — Drymalovskyi added.
He also noted that the Russians are actively using aerial bombs, targeting both frontline positions and settlements in the rear.
“In recent weeks, the enemy has gone on a rampage, hitting towns with multiple aerial bombs. The city of Kurakhove is almost completely destroyed—there isn’t a single intact building. The destructive power of these bombs is enormous, and their accuracy is questionable. The enemy often «misses» and strikes civilian objects, causing immense suffering for the remaining residents», — said Drymalovskyi.
It is important to note that the occupiers are pressing on Vuhledar from all sides in an attempt to surround the town. Russian forces have already made breakthroughs in the areas of Vodyane and Prechystivka and are consolidating their gains, according to Roman Pohorilyi, co-founder and analyst at DeepState, in an interview with Hromadske Radio.