28 Nov: Deep Raid! Ukrainians Attack Russian Air Defense Base, While Russians Busy Dying in Fields. - Reporting from UKR

[TexasTowelie]

Today there are a lot of updates from the Lyman direction.

Here, in a bid to eliminate Ukraine’s foothold on the eastern bank, Russian forces launched intense assaults to push southward and gain control of key villages. However, Ukrainian forces turned the tide by exploiting Russian tactical vulnerabilities and conducting special operations deep behind enemy lines, crippling the offensive and setting the stage for a significant shift in momentum.

To eliminate the Ukrainian bridgehead on the eastern side of the river, Russian forces are advancing southward, targeting Terny as the next village in the defense line. To increase pressure on the Ukrainian soldiers there, Russian troops have intensified their assaults from two primary directions. Firstly, from the north, near Novosadove, Russian infantry groups are attempting to exploit weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses to achieve a breakthrough. The terrain, with its remnants of destroyed buildings and narrow forest strips, provides hiding spots for small Russian units. This area is defended by Ukraine's 67th Separate Mechanized Brigade, which uses drones to monitor and intercept enemy movements, launching a relentless campaign to neutralize all enemy advancement efforts. Released images highlight the dire situation for Russian soldiers, sent into open fields without armored support, making them vulnerable to precision strikes.

The second Russian attack vector targeting Terny originates northeast of the village, where the enemy attempts to use the terrain to conceal their mechanized columns until the last moment, aiming to deploy assault groups near the village outskirts. A geolocated video released by Ukraine's 60th Mechanized Brigade captured one such attempt. Several Russian armored vehicles were seen speeding through a lowland path between hill ridges to approach Terny undetected, using smoke screens for cover from drone and artillery fire. While the lead vehicle narrowly avoided disaster, the second struck a mine, quickly followed by the third. This highlighted the meticulous preparation of Ukrainian defenders, who had heavily mined the route in anticipation of such maneuvers. Surviving crew members from the disabled vehicles scattered for cover but became easy targets for Ukrainian drone operators, who immediately began dropping grenades from drones and coordinated artillery strikes on the area. To ensure the complete elimination of the assault group, FPV drones were deployed, leaving no survivors from the Russian unit.

One well-known Ukrainian soldier and military blogger commented that despite all Russian efforts to press and infiltrate with small groups, Terny is holding thanks to the heavy losses inflicted on the enemy. He also added that another hot point in the region is the village of Torske to the south where Russians are using similar tactics. Soldiers of Ukraine's 63rd Mechanized Brigade, equipped with Mavic 3T drones featuring thermal imaging, released compelling footage of a nighttime assault near Torske, supporting the earlier statement. The video shows three heat signatures advancing toward Ukrainian positions. Recognizing the imminent threat, the reconnaissance team swiftly coordinated an artillery strike, eliminating one attacker and wounding another. The third soldier managed to enter the trench but was quickly confronted by three Ukrainian troops. Refusing to surrender, he was neutralized on the spot. The wounded Russian soldier was captured shortly after, providing critical intelligence on Russian plans and troop deployments.

Details like these, combined with intelligence from Ukrainian partisans in occupied territories, often enable Ukrainian special forces to carry out bold raids deep behind enemy lines. A notable example occurred near Novoaidar in the Luhansk region, roughly 60 kilometers from the frontline. Ukrainian special operators not only destroyed a costly Arrow surface-to-air missile system by setting it ablaze but also eliminated the entire crew responsible for its maintenance and operation. A video released after the mission showcases the smoldering wreckage of the air defense system, highlighting the precision and effectiveness of the sabotage.

Overall, the failed Russian attempts to breach Ukrainian defenses at Terny and Torske highlight the hasted desperation of the Russians to use the last days before winter finally kicks in with full force to reach the Zherebets River. Simultaneously Ukrainian defenders in the region are not only defending carefully against Russian attacks but are also taking pro-active measures, destroying valuable enemy equipment in the rear to undermine any Russian chances of success.

[niyad]

1. Slava Ukrainii. Thank you for the update.