Ukrainian troops from the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade, also known as the Edelweiss Brigade, successfully repelled a Russian assault in the Siverskyi sector using swift and precise drone strikes. The incident highlighted Russia’s increasing reliance on improvised and outdated equipment in its ongoing attempts to breach Ukrainian defences.
The Russian troops attempted a surprise advance using civilian vehicles modified for frontline use. These cars, produced by Russian automakers, were stripped of doors and boot lids and fitted with improvised anti drone defences. According to aerial reconnaissance, the convoy included 12 cars and a motorcycle leading the formation in a reconnaissance role.
The Ukrainian response was swift. FPV drones targeted the moving vehicles with pinpoint accuracy, throwing the assault force into disarray. The chaos forced Russian infantry to scatter, allowing Ukrainian soldiers to eliminate the assault group before it could reach defensive positions.
Despite the speed of the vehicles, the Russian convoy was entirely destroyed. Ukrainian forces confirmed that all 12 cars and the motorcycle were lost. Personnel losses on the Russian side were reported as significant.
This was not the first instance of Russia deploying civilian vehicles for attacks. In a similar operation near Bohatyr, the Khortytsia operational strategic group repelled a Russian assault involving 18 motorcycles and 10 cars, also equipped with improvised anti drone protection. These attacks signal desperation within the ranks of the Russian military, as even Soviet era GAZ 69 off road vehicles, last manufactured in the 1970s, have appeared in combat operations since 2023.
The use of civilian vehicles, including vintage models, highlights how ill equipped Russian forces remain despite the Russian dictator’s claims of military superiority. Such tactics only reinforce the growing perception that the Kremlin is running out of professional equipment and trained troops.
