Russian forces have suffered a devastating defeat near Donetsk as they fail to take a key town from Ukraine.
Moscow’s soldiers have used the city of Marinka, seized in December 2023 after 20 months of fighting there, to attack nearby Kurakhiv, a Ukrainian stronghold to the west.
The Ukrainian 79th Air Assault Brigade has claimed that Russian forces have been comprehensively beaten after attempting to take the town.
A spokesperson quipped to Forbes that the Russian forces were “dismantle[d] … for spare parts.”
Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to Ukraine’s minister of the interior, added on X: “In the area of Kurakhove (Kurakhiv), Donetsk region, the Russians tried once again to break through our defenses by sending a column consisting of three newest T-72B3M tanks, two APCs with paratroopers, and a group of motorcyclists. The tanks were equipped with additional protection in the form of a shed on the turret, electronic warfare systems, mine-sweepers.
“Despite such preparations, the column did not reach the Ukrainian positions – 3 tanks hit mines and were completely destroyed by drones. Both APCs were also hit. At least 6 Russian soldiers were destroyed by grenades that were dropped by from Mavic drones.
“One of the Russian soldiers tried to hide in the basement of a large dilapidated building, and then the building was destroyed by a Ukrainian guided aerial bomb.
“Another brilliant work of the Defenders of the 79th Brigade. Glory to the Heroes!”
This comes after British military intelligence said that Russia lost more than 70,000 troops in the past two months.
The Ministry of Defence added: “The average daily Russian casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine, throughout May and June 2024, increased to conflict highs of 1,262 and 1,163 respectively.