The Khortytsia operational-strategic group, together with nearby Ukrainian units, successfully repelled a Russian assault near the settlement of Bahatyr in the Donetsk region.
Ukrainian forces shared a video showing the attack being stopped.
During the assault, Russian troops used 18 motorcycles and 10 civilian vehicles fitted with anti-drone protection. They attempted to cross an open field to reach Ukrainian defensive positions.
However, Ukrainian forces detected the movement early. Artillery units opened fire with cluster munitions before the Russians could get close to the positions.
Some Russian troops managed to hide in a nearby forest strip. Thanks to close coordination between brigades and command, Ukrainian forces inflicted heavy losses there as well. Out of the 18 motorcycles involved in the assault, 15 were destroyed.
The defenders also successfully targeted the vehicles. Of the 10 civilian vehicles equipped with anti-drone protection, nine were destroyed.
The failed assault took place near Bahatyr, where Russian forces are trying to advance after capturing the nearby settlement of Rozliv.
Because of heavy losses in armored vehicles, Russian forces have increasingly turned to using cheaper methods of transport, such as motorcycles and civilian cars. However, this strategy has largely led to the quick loss of those vehicles as well.
In addition to installing anti-drone defenses on vehicles, Russian forces have begun fitting motorcycles with protective “grills” against drone attacks.
Earlier, Militarnyi reported that Russians had started using motorcycles with sidecars, modified with anti-drone protection.
