**Ukrainian Marines Thwart Russian Advance**
Ukrainian Marines have seized key terrain south of Uspenivka, preventing Moscow’s attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces along the Sukhi Yaly River defensive line in Donetsk Oblast.
**Russian Plan Foiled**
The Russians were trying to create a cauldron around Uspenivka and take control of it. The village is a significant obstacle for their offensive effort to encircle a large group of Ukrainians. However, Ukrainian forces thwarted Russian plans by deploying the Elite Marine Corps and establishing a strong defense.
**Critical Defense Line**
Uspenivka and its fortifications are part of a larger defense line along the Sukhi Yaly River. The line includes several villages, including Uspenivka, Hannivka, Veselyi Hai, Romanivka, Illinka, Yelyzavetivka, and Katerynivka.
**Russian Strategy Shifts**
For the past month, the main Russian axis of advance in this area was from the east, in the area of Katerynivka. The Russians planned to engage in a slow grinding battle for control of the towns along the Sukhi Yaly River one by one, which would have lasted for years.
**Ukrainian Drones Effective**
However, Russian forces do not have much space to maneuver in the narrow Sukhi Yaly River Valley. Ukrainian FPV drones covering the area exposed them as vulnerable against drone attacks.
**Combat Footage Reveals Success**
Combat footage from the area reveals that Ukrainian drone operators managed to destroy or damage five Russian armored vehicles in two days. Additionally, the only bridge enabling crossing to the Ukrainian side of the Sukhi Yaly and Solodka rivers is destroyed.
**Russian Command Changes Strategy**
This made the Russian command consider changing its approach. They shifted their focus from Yelyzavetivka to Uspenivka. The Russians aim to attack the Ukrainian defenses from two pincers by approaching Uspenivka, which is the main highway intersection and supply hub for Ukrainian forces on the Sukhi Yaly defense line.
**Ukrainian Marines Deployed**
However, the Ukrainians identified a critical weak spot in the Russian positions. They deployed their Elite Marine Corps to storm the Russian positions south of Uspenivka. The Marines were deployed on US-supplied M8V Oshkosh armored vehicles and effectively suppressed Russian trenches with machine gun fire.
**Russian Positions Captured**
After a prolonged battle, they captured several Russian soldiers and took control of the Russian positions to the south of Uspenivka. This development will force the Russians to switch their focus from Uspenivka to the positions retaken by Ukrainian fighters, delaying their planned attacks on Uspenivka.
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