Ukrainian forces repel assault near Kostiantynivka as Russian troops advance in small groups with vehicles – video

Ukrainian defenders repelled an assault on the Kostiantynivka front on 22 December after Russian forces attempted to storm positions in small infantry groups supported by vehicles.

Source: Capt Dmytro Ziniuk, press officer of the 100th Separate Mechanised Brigade speaking on Suspilne.Studiia, a daily television news programme produced by Suspilne Ukraine, Ukraine's national public broadcaster; 8th Separate Mechanised Brigade The Knights of the Winter Campaign

Details: Ziniuk said that the successful defence follows extensive work by reconnaissance and engineering units.

He said that experts had identified likely routes of advance towards the city of Kostiantynivka in advance and had mined the approaches. Russian forces tried to use weather conditions to break through but the assault had been halted and fully neutralised.

Ziniuk said that Ukrainian artillery, drone units and neighbouring formations of the defence forces had responded with fire.

Quote: "They keep trying to break through towards Kostiantynivka. Previously these were small infantry assaults. Now they have brought in vehicles.

We see enemy build-ups constantly. The enemy is trying to storm our positions literally 24/7, including with small infantry groups and also using motorcycles."

More details: Ziniuk has added that Ukraine's defence forces are making extensive use of robotic systems.

Ground robotic systems are used to deliver ammunition, fuel, food and other supplies to frontline positions.

Quote: "They also sometimes use ground robotic systems. It looks quite comical. Imagine a drone moving with Russian soldiers surrounding it on all sides. It becomes an easy target for our drone operators and artillery.

I understand there is simply no technical capability to control it from a long distance on the Russian side so troops escort it. Possibly. For us it's even better: we take out the drone and the enemy infantry at the same time. In effect it is the whole launch complex for such unmanned systems."

More details: Ziniuk has said that ground robotic systems now play a major role in supply.

Quote: "I would say that we try to provide 80%, perhaps even more, of all front-line logistics using ground robotic systems."

More details: The 28th The Knights of the Winter Campaign Mechanised Brigade have said that Russian forces attempt to break through combat formations near the village of Ivanopillia on the Kostiantynivka front, using heavily armoured "shed tanks" and about 15 assault troops.

The 28th brigade's artillery crews met the Russians with heavy fire as they approached their positions. Afterwards, Ukrainian drone crews from the Strike Unmanned Aerial Systems Battalion Spalakh ("Flash"), Kurt&Company and R.V. of the 3rd Battalion, as well as pilots from the 2nd Libertas Mechanised Battalion, the 1st Battalion and neighbouring units helped repel the assault.

The reinforced tanks have been stopped and burned. The Ukrainians then "hunted down" the disoriented Russian assault troops one by one.

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