Using the tactic of small assault groups, russian forces are attempting to break into Kostiantynivka and cut off the logistics routes of Ukraine’s Defense Force

This was stated during an Army TV livestream by an officer of the 5th Separate Special Purpose Detachment of the Omega Special Purpose Center of the National Guard of Ukraine, whose callsign is “Rotnyi”.

According to him, russian troops regularly attempt to push deeper into Kostiantynivka. Some assault groups encounter Ukrainian infantry, while others are detected by drones and destroyed from the air.

“The occupiers try to raise their flag somewhere on the outskirts or on one of the buildings to make it appear that they have captured a settlement. At the moment, our Defense Forces, including our own troops, remain in Kostiantynivka. Our ground forces, aerial units, and air defense are all operating. All Defense Forces on this axis are in place and carrying out their missions”, — the officer said.

He stressed that all units defending this sector are working to destroy the enemy as early as possible — either on the approaches to the city or during fighting inside the settlement itself. At the same time, the situation remains difficult because of the large number of Russian troops.

“There are a great many enemy troops. Even though many of them are destroyed before entering the city, two or three soldiers — and sometimes even one — still manage to infiltrate our defensive line”, — Rotnyi explained.

According to the officer, another major threat is russia’s intensive use of unmanned aviation. Molniya strike drones, FPV drones, and fiber-optic FPV drones are constantly operating over the city. If drone operators fail to find their designated target, they attack any available object — private homes, apartment buildings, or roads.

“The air is constantly active. Molniya drones are continuously flying over our positions and the city. If they don’t find a target, they simply strike a random building or road. This significantly complicates our logistics”, — he said.

According to the serviceman, russian FPV drone units — including operators from the Rubikon unit — are constantly attempting to sever Ukrainian logistical routes. Due to the persistent presence of enemy drones, supplying frontline positions remains extremely difficult for both infantry units and UAV crews.

Rotnyi also pointed to a new tactic employed by russian forces that Ukrainian defenders first observed on the Pokrovsk axis.

To support their assault groups, the occupiers use Molniya strike drones and FPV drones not only as attack platforms but also as transport vehicles for delivering water, food, radios, and other supplies.

According to him, russian forces determine an approximate landing point for the drone, after which their infantry leaves cover to retrieve the delivered cargo.

“There were many occasions when we eliminated their infantry precisely when they came out to collect that ‘package’”, — the officer concluded.