Ukrainian Drones Destroy Russian Armored Bridge Layer in Rare Tactical Strike Near Pokrovsk

Ukrainian drone operators have successfully prevented Russian forces from deploying a MTU-20 armored bridge layer near the frontline area west of Pokrovsk, according to Ukrainian military sources and OSINT analyst Moklasen.

The strike was carried out by FPV drones operated by the UAV detachment of the 3rd Battalion “Svoboda,” part of the Rubizh Brigade. The vehicle was intercepted between the villages of Boikivka and Novotoretske, where Russian troops were reportedly attempting to install a tactical crossing over the Kazennyi Torets river.

The MTU-20 is a Soviet-era bridge-laying system based on the T-55A tank chassis, designed to deploy a 20-meter-long single-span bridge capable of supporting up to 50 tons. Its primary role is to facilitate rapid river or obstacle crossings for heavy armored units. The bridge can be emplaced by the crew without exiting the vehicle.

According to Moklasen, the failed Russian attempt to establish a crossing suggests preparations for a deeper mechanized push toward Ukrainian positions near Rodynske—a settlement recaptured by Ukrainian forces in October as part of localized counteroffensive operations.

Ukrainian soldiers describe the area as “a labyrinth of natural fortifications, ravines, and uneven terrain,” making maneuver operations highly dependent on mobile bridging equipment like the MTU-20.

Rodynske, located near the strategic hubs of Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad in Donetsk region, has been a focus of intensified Russian assaults in recent months. Ukrainian officials warn that Russian control over the area would provide a potential axis for flanking maneuvers aimed at encircling Pokrovsk or cutting supply routes to Myrnohrad.

The Joint Task Force “East” reported ongoing close-quarters fighting in Pokrovsk’s urban area and active Ukrainian defensive operations on the outskirts of Myrnohrad. Additional logistics corridors are reportedly being established to sustain forward-deployed Ukrainian units in both cities.

Geolocated footage published by Ukrainian military sources confirms the strike on the MTU-20 vehicle. The location corresponds with mapping data provided by the DeepState monitoring platform.

Earlier, a Ukrainian ground drone armed with a Browning M2 heavy machine gun unexpectedly engaged a Russian MT‑LB at close range during nighttime field tests near the front line, according to Defense Express and the Telegram channel Proofs Dnepr.

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