Ukrainian Forces Repel Major Russian Assault in Donetsk, Destroying Dozens of Vehicles

Donetsk, Ukraine – Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled a significant Russian mechanized assault near Kostyantynivka in the embattled Donetsk region, according to Ukrainian military officials. The attack, which took the form of a bold convoy-style operation, was detected and decisively countered by Ukrainian defensive units.

During the engagement, Ukrainian troops destroyed at least 18 Russian armored vehicles and 13 motorcycles, inflicting heavy losses on Russian infantry units. The Ukrainian military credited early detection and coordinated defensive maneuvers for the successful repulsion of the assault.

Elsewhere in the Donetsk region, Russian artillery shelling struck the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to at least 13 others, local authorities reported.

Ukrainian forces also launched a series of precision strikes in retaliation. These included a ground-based suicide drone attack targeting a Russian military base and four Storm Shadow missile strikes on a railway junction in the city of Yasinuvata. Russian sources confirmed the missile barrage and reported one civilian death as a result.

Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, claimed that Russian forces had regained control of all areas previously counterattacked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2023. Ukrainian officials have not commented on these claims.

The situation in Donetsk remains highly volatile, with both sides reporting ongoing clashes and civilian casualties as the conflict continues into its third year.