A massively outnumbered unit of Ukrainian paratroopers destroyed over 200 Russian armoured vehicles in one day during a ferocious battle in the Donetsk region.
Russia’s 20th Motor Rifle Division is attempting to capture the village of Illinka, 20 miles west of Donetsk city.
They aim to drive Ukraine’s army from the village, leaving them with an open road to Karakhove.
The city is a Ukrainian garrison and a vital position for Kyiv’s defence of the southern Donetsk region.
Russia’s 20th Motor Rifle Division is estimated to contain as many as 10,000 troops.
The 79th Air Assault Brigade, comprised of approximately 2,000 troops, defends the garrison city from the Russian attack.
The paratroopers are coming under intense pressure as they desperately attempt to repel the Russian attack.
A Ukrainian drone operator with the call sign Kriegsforscher noted that “the situation is close to critical” and that the brigade “is under a massive enemy push” that began around two weeks ago.
Despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned, the paras inflicted stunning losses on the Russian division.
On Saturday, analyst Andrew Perpetua counted a staggering 206 destroyed, damaged and abandoned Russian vehicles.
By comparison, the Ukrainians lost just 49 vehicles, according to the battlefield analyst.
However, the Russians appear willing to sacrifice as many troops and vehicles as necessary to continue their remorseless advance.
Putin’s generals have combined their overwhelming superiority in manpower and weapons with a new strategy that is causing panic among Ukraine’s army.
Ukrainian journalist Stanislav Aseyev explained: “The Russians continue to successfully use the ‘bag’ tactics, bypassing our positions on three sides and leaving a narrow ‘throat’ for retreat.
“As a result, even in combat-ready units, encirclement panic often begins, which leads to the withdrawal of troops.”
Ukraine’s army chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, acknowledged on Sunday the critical situation on the frontlines, saying his troops were holding back “the most powerful offensives” since the start of Moscow’s 2022 invasion.
