Azov Brigade reports destruction of Russian unit and halts encirclement attempt near Druzhkivka

Ukraine's First National Guard Corps, the Azov Brigade, announced the completion of a nearly two-month operation that destroyed a Russian troop grouping and disrupted plans to encircle Druzhkivka and move toward Dobropillya in the Donetsk region. The operation, which began on Aug. 7, involved the brigade's First and Sixth battalions, the Ultima Ratio reconnaissance unit, the Tuman special operations detachment, the Shkval Battalion of the 425th Skelia Separate Assault Regiment, and support from the Lasar’s Group special-purpose unit.

"The first task was to isolate the area where the enemy grouping had accumulated using firepower, prevent its further advance and create favorable conditions for the movement of our assault groups," said Azov Brigade commander Lev, call sign Khorus.

According to the brigade, 193 Russian soldiers were killed, 44 wounded and three captured. Ukrainian forces first isolated the area with artillery fire, then moved assault groups into Russian-held positions. Shkval Battalion commander Serhii, call sign Zamok, said drones were employed to reduce infantry risk, adding that FPV drones and bombers were used when enemy shelters made direct attacks hazardous.

Russian units from the 90th Tank Division and the Eighth Combined Arms Army had reportedly been moving toward Ukrainian logistics routes, which could have enabled an operational encirclement of Druzhkivka and threatened the broader Sloviansk-Kramatorsk defensive belt. The Russian defense ministry later claimed its forces had encircled Dobropillya, a statement the Institute for the Study of War said was not supported by available battlefield evidence.

Ukrainian and Western analysts note that Russian equipment continues to be transferred to the Dobropillya sector, suggesting preparation for future mechanized actions. Azov Corps commander Denys Prokopenko previously indicated that about 1,200 drone crews from Russia's Rubikon unit were operating in the area, pointing to extensive unmanned support for potential renewed assaults.