File image.
A Russian reconnaissance group infiltrated roughly 12 kilometers into Ukrainian-held territory near the city Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region and killed a group of Ukrainian drone operators before withdrawing, Ukrainian military bloggers revealed on August 25.
The four drone operators were killed in the raid, with reports alleging their throats had been cut. A video purporting to show the aftermath of the operation surfaced online.
Druzhkivka lies west of Kostiantynivka and Kramatorsk, cities under mounting Russian pressure as the front in the Donetsk region has shifted west in recent months.
Drone groups typically work well behind the line of contact to stay out of range of Russian strikes. The reported raid’s depth suggests that buffer is shrinking, forcing Ukrainian forces to push supply depots, drone units and command posts farther back while still coordinating with troops at the front.
Russian forces have recently established footholds on the southern outskirts of Oleksiievo-Druzhkivka, the settlement just south of the city on the main road from Kostiantynivka. Fighting continues there, though confirmed gains have been limited in the past two weeks as units remain focused on clearing operations around the city of Kostiantynivka.
Northwest of Kostiantynivka, Russian troops advanced along the Kazenyi Torets River, capturing Krasnyi Kut and reaching Raiske, about 3 to 5 kilometers from Druzhkivka’s southwestern outskirts.
Dozens of Russian assaults from Kostiantynivka, including attacks near Kostiantynivka, Illinivka and toward nearby settlements, were reported in recent days.
Russian drone operators have also tightened control over airspace above Druzhkivka, restricting Ukrainian logistics even as main infantry units approach the area.
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