Azov Foils Russian Attempt to Encircle Druzhkivka

Within the First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine’s area of responsibility, defense forces conducted an almost two-month operation to clear Russian troops that had been building up throughout the summer for an offensive toward Druzhkivka and Dobropillia.

The First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine reported this.

Service members from units directly involved in the operation provided details.

According to the commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, callsign Khorus, units of Russia’s 90th Tank Division and 8th Combined Arms Army attempted to reach Ukrainian military logistics routes. This was intended to create conditions for the operational encirclement of Druzhkivka, pose a subsequent threat to the Sloviansk-Kramatorsk agglomeration, and advance toward Dobropillia.

To counter the Russian forces, the Ukrainian command reinforced the units already deployed in this sector of the front. The operation involved the Special Forces Reconnaissance Detachment «Ultima Ratio», the 1st and 6th Battalions of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, the Separate Special Forces Detachment Tuman of First Corps Azov of the National Guard of Ukraine, and the Shkval Battalion of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelya. The National Guard of Ukraine’s Separate Special Forces Detachment Lasar’s Group provided support.

All participating units jointly planned the operation. The initial task was to isolate the area where Russian forces had concentrated and to block the enemy. Ukrainian forces were then to create the conditions for their own assault operations.

According to the commander of the 425th Separate Assault Regiment Skelya, Dmytro, callsign Vodolii, the first Ukrainian assault groups began advancing on August 7. Serhii, commander of the Shkval Battalion, callsign Zamok, explained that the infantry advance followed strikes on Russian positions.

Artillery and strike drones played a significant role. In particular, the Lasar’s Group Detachment supported the Ukrainian assault troops. A service member from the unit’s reconnaissance section, callsign Twister, also spoke about the assistance provided by the results of Operation Ashan.

Militarnyi previously reported that, as part of Operation Ashan, the Ukrainian Defense Forces struck more than 1,000 Russian armored vehicles and artillery systems. The operation had two stages and aimed to reduce the combat capabilities of Russian forces.

The commander of the First Special Forces Group of the Tuman Detachment, callsign Franyk, highlighted the effectiveness of coordination between assault units, artillery, and strike drones. According to him, over nearly two months of operations, his group killed 10 Russian servicemen in small-arms engagements and captured one prisoner. Drones killed another 10 invaders. He also reported numerous wounded Russian servicemen and the destruction of four artillery systems.

Dense vegetation, unconventional movement tactics used by Russian units, and heavy enemy drone activity complicated the operation. The latter, in particular, significantly complicated the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian servicemen.

Despite the challenging conditions, those involved in the operation highlighted the high level of coordination between the units. The commander of the 12th Special Forces Brigade Azov specifically praised the discipline of the Shkval Battalion personnel, who operated alongside National Guard units.

According to the Ukrainian side’s reported results of the operation, Russian forces suffered 237 personnel killed and 44 wounded. Another three Russian invaders were captured.

As a result, Ukrainian units thwarted the Russian attempt to reach the logistics routes needed to advance toward Druzhkivka and Dobropillia. According to the operation’s participants, losing this area is forcing the Russian command to seek alternative avenues of advance, which will require additional time and resources.