Ukrainian troops repel Russian motorcycle assault near Mala Tokmachka

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO - 17 June, 20:27

Photo: 118th Brigade

Fighters of Ukraine's 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade, together with adjacent units, have repelled a mechanised assault by Russian forces on the village of Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: 118th Separate Mechanised Brigade on social media

Details: The brigade reported that the Russian forces launched an unsuccessful assault on Mala Tokmachka using a composite motorcycle platoon. Despite changing tactics and employing technical innovations, the Russians were defeated before they reached the settlement, which Russian propaganda has claimed for the past year and a half to be under Russian control.

According to the Ukrainian military, several Russian motorised rifle regiments and brigades sent their troops into the assault at an unusual time. Instead of attacking at dawn or dusk, the assault began at 18:00 on 16 June, in broad daylight and with full visibility.

In an effort to maximise their chances of breaking into Mala Tokmachka, the Russian forces deployed more than 30 motorcycles advancing along three separate routes. The assault also featured several innovations:

some of the motorcycles were fitted with special plough-like devices designed to clear minefields;
several motorcycles were equipped with mobile electronic warfare systems.

However, neither the change in timing nor the technical modifications helped the Russians.

Over the course of several hours, soldiers of the 118th Brigade and attached units reportedly killed 26 Russian assault troops. More than 10 others were wounded and left behind, with Russian forces making no attempt to evacuate them, the brigade said. The Ukrainian troops also destroyed over 20 motorcycles and up to 10 all-terrain vehicles.

All of this occurred before the Russian forces reached the settlement itself.

The brigade reported no casualties among its own personnel.

For reference: The Romans' siege of Carthage lasted approximately 1,100 days. The Siege of Leningrad during World War II lasted 872 days, while the Siege of Acre during the Third Crusade lasted about 700 days.

Mala Tokmachka has been holding out for more than 1,500 days.

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