The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that "a powerful combined strike using Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles, FAB-500 aerial bombs, and Geran-2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was carried out against forward positions of the Ukrainian army in Donetsk province".
Russian military television later released video from a reconnaissance UAV, showing some mechanized equipment hidden in a forest, with numerous tire tracks nearby. Several large explosions occurred in the forest and nearby warehouses, causing intense fires and smoke to cover the area.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated, "The attack destroyed 4 multiple rocket launchers, 3 tanks, 7 BRDM reconnaissance vehicles, 22 infantry fighting vehicles, 20 other vehicles, 4 electronic warfare stations, an ammunition depot, a command post, and 10 shelters. Approximately 600 enemy soldiers were also killed or wounded".
Russian media reported that the attack targeted the positions of two battalions of the Ukrainian 156th Mechanized Brigade. Geolocation data indicates that the forest and warehouses are located in the village of Shabelkovka, on the outskirts of the Ukrainian-held city of Kramatorsk.
AMK Mapping, an X account that tracks open-source intelligence data on the conflict, assessed that Russia initiated the attack with two long-range rockets and 7 Geran-2 UAVs targeting the deployment point, command post, and equipment storage facility of the 156th Brigade on the outskirts of Kramatorsk.
"The area then sustained further strikes from over 60 guided glide bombs, 12 Geran-2 UAVs, two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, along with multiple attacks by long-range artillery and heavy rocket launchers. The attacks on targets around Kramatorsk continued into the night", the account reported.
The Ukrainian military has not commented on the information.
In its 22/8 war update, the Ukrainian Air Force Command announced that Russia had attacked the country with 55 Geran-2 suicide drones and decoy aircraft. "Ukrainian air defense units shot down or suppressed 46 UAVs in the north and east. 9 UAVs hit 4 areas", the agency said, but did not specify the locations.
Vadym Filashkin, head of the Kyiv-appointed Donetsk military administration, accused the Russian army of attacking residential areas in Kramatorsk, causing 10 explosions and injuring 3 civilians.
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The fortified line built by Ukraine west of Donetsk. Graphics: Telegraph |
Kramatorsk is the largest city still controlled by Ukraine in Donetsk province and is a key component of the 50 km "fortified line," featuring a system of trenches, anti-tank obstacles, and barbed wire in the west of the province. This defensive line has been reinforced by the Ukrainian army for over 10 years, posing a significant challenge to Russian offensives.
Russia currently controls about 70% of Donetsk province, including the eponymous capital and several cities considered strategic strongholds. If Moscow captures all of Donetsk province, it will gain complete control of the Donbas region, which holds strategic military importance and significant resources.
Ngoc Anh (According to Zvezda, Ukrainska Pravda)
