From Krasnaya zvezda, Feb. 11, 2025, p. 2. Complete text:
Military service personnel of a tank battalion, part of the Vostok [East] grouping of forces, have destroyed yet another stronghold of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in the operational area around southern Donetsk [Province].
T‑72B3M tanks reached firing lines and, after deploying in an attack formation, opened fire on enemy positions. Gunners/operators of the combat vehicles wiped out weapon emplacements and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) control point of Ukrainian nationalists with the first several volleys. After accomplishing the fire missions, the tanks pulled back from the enemy’s artillery fire and drones, while our assault groups mopped up enemy positions and dugouts. The lightning attack forced the UAF militants to abandon the stronghold and retreat.
“We operate mainly from closed firing positions. We also move out and fire over open sights, strike enemy [infantry] entrenchments and trawl mines. We have an EW (electronic warfare) system that enables us to carry out our missions unhindered,” said a tank commander whose call sign is “Buriy” (Brown).
Subunits of the Vostok grouping are currently advancing to the northwest, deep into the enemy’s defenses, approaching the border with Dnepropetrovsk Province. Over the past 24 hours, they have engaged subunits of one UAF tank and two mechanized brigades, as well as three Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) brigades in the operational area around the towns of Novosyolka, Razdolnoye and Dneproenergia.
Accurate fire from Giatsint‑B.
The artillery crew of the Giatsint‑B (Hyacinth‑B) towed a 152‑mm field gun as part of the Tsentr (Center) grouping of forces eliminated a UAF stronghold in the operational area around [the city of] Krasnoarmeisk [also known as Pokrovsk – Trans.].
Aerial surveillance provided data about UAF service personnel hiding in a stronghold. The stronghold’s coordinates were sent to the Giatsint‑B crew. In collaboration with UAV operators, the artillery crew hit the hangars that had been detected. Artillery fire was adjusted in real time, which made it possible to destroy the targets with a minimum number of rounds. In addition, artillerymen are actively destroying the enemy’s mortar crews, as well as Western-made weapon systems and infantry fighting vehicles.
UAV support for assault troops.
Drone operators of an assault subunit as part of the Yug (South) grouping of forces struck UAF positions in the operational area around the city of Kurakhovo.
Drone operators provide support to assault groups by continuously revealing the location of UAF military installations, command posts, weapon systems and military equipment, and transmitting their coordinates to command-and-control posts.
After priority targets are identified, drones drop bombs that accurately strike the enemy’s mortar positions, shelters and personnel. Military hardware used by Ukrainian nationalists, most of it foreign-made, has been repeatedly incapacitated. Drones also help assault detachments advance [to attack positions] and then pull back; deliver ammunition, food and water to the front line; and provide evacuation assistance.
Uragan sweeps away UAF positions.
Crews operating Uragan [Hurricane]multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) in the operational area around southern Donetsk regularly launch missile strikes on UAF positions, ensuring the advance of Russian motorized infantry.
Artillerymen are on 24-hour alert status, closely interacting with drone crews and reconnaissance subunits. As a general rule, crews conduct deep strikes within enemy territory, targeting UAF ammunition depots, military hardware and strongholds.
“The targets are military service personnel and light armored vehicles. In short, we conduct strikes within enemy territory. The most important thing is not to be spotted. We go in quickly, do our job and leave. We also have an EW system against the ‘birds.’ We don’t remain in one place for very long. We constantly change positions, moving around,” said the commander of an Uragan MLRS crew whose call sign is “Vosemnadtsaty” [18th].
The main task of the Vostok grouping’s artillerymen is to provide support to assault subunits that are currently defending forest belts north of Velikaya Novosyolka.
Skies under Pantsir’s protection.
The crew of a Pantsir‑S1 surface-to-air missile/antiaircraft artillery system in the Sever (North) grouping’s zone of responsibility has destroyed an enemy UAV.
The system has 12 surface-to-air missiles to strike air targets. In addition, it has two 30‑mm twin-barrel [automatic antiaircraft] guns with 1,400 rounds of ammunition. This enables the Pantsir‑S1 to engage any air attack systems within the established operational range. Crews constantly change their positions, and after arriving at a new place, they can switch to full alert status within 10 seconds.
Maintenance specialists put equipment back into service.
Personnel at the repair and maintenance subunit of the reconnaissance battalion of the 20th Guards Combined-Arms Army of the Zapad (West) grouping of forces constantly restore, repair and upgrade military hardware and equipment in the zone of the [Russian] special military operation [in Ukraine] (SMO) in the Lugansk people’s republic.
The [subunit’s] improvised auto service has practically everything: welding posts, body repairs, tire service, camouflaged platforms for vehicles and motorcycles, a heated zone for operations at low temperatures, and a spare parts warehouse. In addition, maintenance personnel restore and repair small machinery and equipment – gasoline and diesel generators, and turbo heaters. Service personnel also install dynamic armor and drone protection gear on military hardware and equipment.
Highly qualified specialists work in the maintenance and repairs zone. Most of them have relevant technical degrees. This approach greatly accelerates the process of putting [military] equipment back into service: After all, mobility is very important for reconnaissance scouts. Maintenance personnel always road-test armored vehicles that arrive from the front line for servicing and repairs. During the tests, components, assemblies and mechanisms are operated in realistic, near-combat conditions. Maintenance personnel note that there is no shortage of spare parts or specialized tools. There is plenty of work, but they always do it quickly and efficiently.