A video released by Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta on 7/10 shows a Ukrainian first-person view (fpv) drone approaching a house with people moving inside. The fpv drone appeared to use fiber optic cable for connection to its operator, as the image was clear despite the vehicle flying low in a bushy area.
After entering the window, the device suddenly wobbled, and a Russian soldier appeared in the frame. The video shows the soldier grabbing the fpv drone with his bare hands, pointing the camera towards himself, and raising his middle finger before throwing it out the window.
It is unclear if the fpv drone carried an explosive warhead. However, reconnaissance drones do not typically approach targets at such close range. The video cutting off immediately as the device hit the ground could also indicate that an attached warhead was activated.
The incident's time and location were not disclosed. According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta, soldiers from Russia's Central Group of Forces found the video on a storage device at a stronghold abandoned by Ukrainian forces on the Dobropolye front, north of the Pokrovsk stronghold in Donetsk province.
Dobropolye is currently one of the most contested areas on the front line. Ukraine announced on 7/10 that units of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelya and the 1st Azov Corps "cleared dozens of Russian positions, preventing the enemy from advancing further towards Dobropolye".
Meanwhile, Russia's Ministry of Defense stated that units of the Central Group of Forces are encircling the city and attacking enemy positions, as well as penetrating and controlling several locations in the area.
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Location of some cities in Donetsk province. Graphics: RYV |
Rybar, a social media account linked to the Russian military and often used as an alternative source for official Moscow statements, reported that Ukraine is intensifying operations north of Dobropolye, while Russian units are advancing deeper into the city.
"The area south of Dobropolye city is where Russian forces operate actively and relatively freely. Notably, the number of drone shelters deployed by Ukraine within the city is higher than in neighboring fields", Rybar stated.
Dobropolye is located in the northwestern part of Donetsk province, covering an area of about 11,8 square kilometers, with a population of over 28,000 people in 2022. Controlling Dobropolye would open the way for Russian forces to advance into the open area north of the city, threatening the "fortress belt" of Slavyansk - Kramatorsk - Druzhkovka from the west and southwest.
Nguyen Tien (According to RG, RIA Novosti, AP)
