Russian Artillery Destroys Ukrainian Positions Near Belgorod Border

Russian artillery crews have destroyed Ukrainian positions and equipment near the Belgorod region border using 152-mm Msta-B howitzers, guided by reconnaissance and drones. The Ukrainian General Staff reports that Russian forces maintain a military presence in the northeastern border area, conduct active sabotage activities, and increase the density of minefields along the state border in the Belgorod region.

In various directions, including Kupyansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, Novopavlivka, Orikhiv, and Kherson, the Ukrainian Defense Forces have fought off multiple Russian attacks, inflicting losses on the occupying forces. Ukrainian aviation, missile troops, and artillery have struck areas of Russian personnel and equipment concentration, as well as air defense systems and other targets.

Over the past day, there were 101 combat clashes along the frontline, and the Russian army launched five missile strikes, 77 airstrikes, and 76 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems, targeting the positions of Ukrainian troops and various towns and villages in the Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts.

Russian troops destroyed a launcher of the US-made MIM-23 Hawk air defense system and a UAV storage facility of the 113th territorial defense brigade in Ukraine. Russia's Battlegroup West gained more advantageous positions and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army's 63rd mechanized brigade near Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic.

Russia's Battlegroup South improved its tactical position and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army's 79th air assault and 46th airmobile brigades near Konstantinovka, Paraskoviyevka and Ostroye in the Donetsk People's Republic. Russia's Battlegroup Center repulsed nine counterattacks by Ukrainian army brigades and inflicted roughly 360 casualties.

Russia's Battlegroup East gained more advantageous positions and inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army's 59th motorized infantry, 72nd mechanized and 128th territorial defense brigades. Russian forces also inflicted casualties on the Ukrainian army's 65th mechanized, 121st and 126th territorial defense brigades in the Kherson area. Russian air defense forces shot down over 100 Ukrainian drones, a ballistic missile, six rockets and four smart bombs.

Why this matters: The ongoing fighting along the Russia-Ukraine border highlights the escalating conflict between the two nations. The destruction of Ukrainian positions and equipment by Russian artillery crews demonstrates Russia's military capabilities and its willingness to engage in cross-border attacks.

The fighting continues along the entire front line, with both sides sustaining casualties and losses. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced Russia's intent to intensify its strike campaign to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and highlighted ongoing Russian offensive operations near Chasiv Yar, Avdiivka, and Donetsk City. The Kremlin is framing these reforms as a passive response to NATO aggression, but they are likely meant to prepare Russia for a potential future conventional confrontation with NATO.

Key Takeaways

• Russian artillery destroyed Ukrainian positions near Belgorod border using howitzers.
• Ukraine repelled multiple Russian attacks in various directions, inflicting losses.
• Russia conducted missile strikes, airstrikes, and rocket attacks across Ukraine.
• Russia destroyed Ukrainian air defense system and drone storage facility.
• Russia aims to intensify strikes to disrupt Ukrainian logistics and prepare for NATO.