The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on June 16, the settlement of Novy Donbas in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) was captured by marine units within the 'Center' group.
A Russian marine with the code name 'Fartovy' who spoke to RIA Novosti stated that during the operation, diversionary maneuvers and reconnaissance data from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) played a critical role in successfully dislodging opposing forces from defensive positions.
The soldier, a liaison officer with the 177th Guards Regiment, said they avoided direct frontal assaults in their offensive actions and instead employed elements of tactical cunning.
Diversion and Drone Support
'When attacking strongholds, we carried out diversionary maneuvers in one direction using smoke screens and entered from the other side. Such actions helped us capture the settlement and dislodge the adversary from the fortification,' he said.
The soldier noted that UAV operators played a significant role in attack preparations, providing troops with up-to-date information on the positioning of enemy positions.
'With the drones, we obtained data on the terrain, the layout of fences, firing points, and approach routes. After that, the group quickly coordinated movements, planned maneuvers, and determined the most advantageous attack option,' he explained.
Surprise and Proper Timing in the Attack
The marine, who said various methods were used to distract the adversary, emphasized that the success of offensive actions largely depends on surprise and the selection of the right moment for the attack.
'It is always necessary to surprise the adversary. There is no point in going directly at prepared positions. We try to choose a time when the adversary is not expecting it and to use the advantages of reconnaissance and maneuver,' he added.