The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff announced on 11/8 that, "Ukrainian forces continue to destroy enemy command posts. The next target was the headquarters of the 85th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Russian Federation in the enemy-occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast".
The Ukrainian military claimed the strike killed the brigade commander, nicknamed "Dnepr", and 5 members of the unit's staff. "More details about the consequences of the attack are being clarified," the statement added.
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Ukrainian HIMARS rocket artillery fires at Russian positions in December 2023. Photo: Ukrainian Army |
Ukrainian HIMARS rocket artillery fires at Russian positions in December 2023. Photo: Ukrainian Army
The Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff said the strike was carried out with "high-precision weapons", but did not specify. Tim White, a journalist covering Ukraine, suggested Ukrainian forces used HIMARS rocket artillery or similar weapons.
Ukrainian officials have not released evidence of the attack or related damage.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on the information.
According to an analysis by AFP news agency based on data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the Russian military controlled about 78% of Donetsk Oblast as of the end of July, an increase of 16% compared to a year earlier.
On 31/7, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced it had captured the stronghold of Chasov Yar in Donetsk Oblast, concluding an offensive that lasted over a year. Capturing this city would help the Russian military threaten key Ukrainian supply lines and create a springboard to approach the last major cities controlled by Ukraine in Donetsk.
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Location of Donetsk Oblast. Graphic: RYV |
Location of Donetsk Oblast. Graphic: RYV
Russian forces are continuing to put pressure on the Ukrainian strategic stronghold of Pokrovsk. On 2/8, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Oleksandr Syrsky, said Russia is both encircling the city and sending sabotage forces deep into the center of Pokrovsk to attack the city.
Pham Giang (RBC Ukraine, AFP)
