Russian forces lost key observation posts in Toretsk Donetsk Oblast where they recently intensified their offensive. Ukrainian sappers used anti-tank charges with C-4 to destroy Russian-held buildings.
There are many interesting updates today from the Toretsk Direction, Donetsk oblast.
The Ukrainians destroyed the once powerful Russian defensive positions here by using improvised bombs and demolition squads. This destabilized Russian positions on this part of front, giving the Ukrainians the opportunity to launch a second wave of counterattacks.
Earlier, Russian operations were halted in Toretsk’s central high-rise zone as their forces faced constant raids from Ukrainian stormtrooper teams, coordinated with drone attacks. As Ukrainian drone attacks increased, combat footage showed Russian soldiers trying to play dead to evade drones.
Ukrainian drone operators were able to locate Russian drone positions in Toretsk more easily than in other areas along the front. Combat footage from a particular operation showed a Ukrainian UAV identifying Russian drone operators 3 kilometers behind the frontline, and destroying their base.
These strikes effectively suppressed Russian drone activities in Toretsk. This allowed Ukrainian soldiers to attack Russian positions without the risk of drone attacks.
After Russian drone activity was suppressed, Ukrainian troops took advantage of the situation to approach Russian defensive positions located in central highrises and destroy them with heavy explosives. Ukrainian fighters shared a video showing their preparation of explosives to be used by demolition squads. They mostly improvised with the resources they had available.
They bundled 17 TM62 anti-tank charges and TM-62 mines into large packages, and attached cables for detonation. These explosive devices can destroy large buildings where many Russian fighters have been stationed.
The detonation is shown in combat footage from the high rise area. This building, which was used by Russian forces for amassing troops, operating drones and establishing command points, has been completely destroyed.
Another video shows the demolition of a high-rise using similar improvised bombs. These high-rises provided strategic firing positions for Russian troops, who used them as machine gun posts, anti-tank rocket posts, and drone-launch sites. The destruction of these high-rise buildings has significantly weakened Russian defenses, as the majority of the structures are in ruins.
The destruction of key Russian drone bases and firing positions set the stage for an organized Ukrainian counterattack against Toretsk’s central high-rises. The Ukrainians first targeted two highrises facing the northern area of the city. This created a gap in the Russian defenses, allowing Ukrainian stormtroopers advance behind the remaining buildings.
Buildings that faced westward had blind spots due to their narrow, windowless sides. Russian forces were forced to abandon their high-rises after their main defensive positions had been compromised. The Ukrainian counterattack has successfully recaptured one third of central Toretsk’s high-rise district, and the surrounding areas. Efforts are ongoing to push Russian forces from the remaining high rise positions.
Overall, the Ukrainians were able to suppress the Russian firing positions. They demolished these positions with explosives and slowly began regaining lost positions.
Major Anastasiya bobovnikova, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Luhansk Group of Forces, reported that Russian forces had reduced their attacks in Toretsk. However, they have not decreased artillery or air strikes. The purpose of intense artillery and aerial strikes has changed, as Russians desperately try to suppress Ukrainians in full-scale defense. This often leads to friendly fire incidents in which their troops are accidentally bombed.
In our regular frontline reports, we team up with the military blog Reporting from Ukraine in order to keep you updated on what’s happening on the battlefield during the Russo Ukrainian war.
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