Ukrainian forces destroy Russian tank convoy near Toretsk
Ukrainian defense forces destroyed a Russian tank column and eliminated Russian paratroopers near Toretsk, according to a video published by the 28th Mechanized Brigade, Knights of the Winter Campaign, on March 12.
"Near Toretsk, Russian troops seem to have a case of spring fever," the brigade’s statement said. "Instead of sending in small assault groups, they are now rolling out tank 'tin cans' packed with infantry. But the result hasn’t changed."
The Russian convoy was spotted by Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance units, which then coordinated artillery and drone strikes. Pilots from the R.V. units, the 28th Brigade’s drone battalion, and the RUBpAK Phoenix targeted the Russian tanks, destroying two of them. The remaining two retreated, abandoning their assault troops.
"The paratroopers scattered in a panic—some were caught in the open, others tried to hide in the bushes, and the ‘luckiest’ ones managed to crawl into their holes. But they all met the same fate," the brigade said. "The drone battalion, R.V., Kurt&Company, and our artillery turned them all into dust."
Battle for Toretsk: latest developments
On January 28, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported that Russian forces had made advances along the Kurakhove and Toretsk front lines, as well as in the center of Chasiv Yar. However, Ukrainian forces managed to push them back in parts of Toretsk.
By January 30, Evhen Alkhimov, press officer for the 28th Mechanized Brigade, noted that Toretsk’s urban front line had effectively ceased to exist, as Russian troops continued amassing forces for assaults in the area.
On February 7, Ukrainian photographers Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov shared aerial images revealing the destruction in Toretsk.
A February 22 ISW report stated that Russian forces were continuing their offensive near Toretsk and Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast, but had failed to make significant progress.
On February 27, Ukraine’s 93rd Mechanized Brigade, Kholodnyi Yar, reported that Russian troops were attempting daily advances deeper into Toretsk.
By March 1, ISW confirmed that Ukrainian forces had regained ground in the Toretsk area.
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