Ukrainian forces from the 28th Mechanized Brigade have repelled a Russian armored assault near Toretsk, dealing damage to enemy vehicles and infantry in a coordinated strike involving artillery, FPV drones, and UAV teams.
The Brigade’s press service released a dramatic video showing the destruction of the Russian column, which was attempting to advance in the Torets direction — a key hotspot in the ongoing battle for control over the city in Donetsk Oblast.
According to the 28th Brigade on Facebook, the enemy column was first detected by aerial reconnaissance units, who quickly relayed the coordinates to Ukrainian artillery and drone operators.
Operators from the RV and BBps units, along with the Phoenix RUBpAK, engaged the Russian armor using strike drones and UAVs equipped with precision munitions.
As the Russians realized they had been spotted, their vehicles attempted to maneuver under the cover of smoke screens. One combat vehicle became stuck in a ditch, leaving it vulnerable to attack.
Among the targets were several armored vehicles referred to as "barns"—makeshift armor frequently used by Russian forces during assaults. Ukrainian strikes destroyed multiple such vehicles.
Russian Infantry Retreats and Drones Fail
With their armored support crippled, Russian infantry scattered in search of cover, calling for assistance from their own drone units. But their efforts were quickly neutralized.
"Here too, they were met with failure," the Brigade reported. “Kurt&Company operators cut off the enemy drones’ communication antennas. Some Russian units even tried to fight back using small consumer drones like a Mavic, but to no avail.”
Ukrainian drone pilots continued to target individual Russian soldiers, dropping ammunition on their positions in rough terrain.
The battle for Toretsk, which intensified in late August 2024, remains one of the most contested urban battlefields in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have seized large portions of the city, but Ukrainian defenders continue to launch frequent counterattacks, often repelling assaults with the support of precision-guided weapons and skilled drone operators.
In February, police assault battalions from Vinnytsia and Kirovohrad—part of the National Police’s “Lyut” brigade—joined the defense effort, highlighting the city’s strategic importance and the fierce resistance mounted by Ukraine.
