- Category
- War in Ukraine
HUR Unit Eliminates Russian Elite Sabotage Group Behind Propaganda Operation in Zaporizhzhia Region, Video
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) has published exclusive footage of an operation targeting what it described as “elite” Russian sabotage units operating near the settlement of Stepnohirsk in the Zaporizhzhia region.
According to the intelligence agency on June 29, at the end of May Russian forces deployed reconnaissance units from the Airborne Forces in an assault on Stepnohirsk. These troops are considered among the most capable formations in Russia’s military structure.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
The objective of the operation, HUR said, was to create a propaganda narrative suggesting the capture of the settlement, which could then be reported to Russia’s top military and political leadership.
The Russian unit entered Stepnohirsk during the night, using rain and anti-thermal camouflage for concealment. HUR special forces unit “Artan” had prepared for this scenario and allowed the group to approach before engaging them in a pre-planned ambush.
Before engaging in combat, Ukrainian special forces offered the Russian soldiers an opportunity to surrender. Instead, the group opened fire.
As a result, HUR units cleared the designated area of Stepnohirsk of the Russian sabotage group. Flags that the attackers had reportedly intended to use for propaganda photographs were seized as trophies by Ukrainian intelligence.
HUR confirmed that the “Artan” unit completed the mission without suffering any losses.
“During the operation, the enemy attempted to act according to the classic special forces doctrine, using difficult weather conditions and electronic warfare measures to conceal infiltration into an urban area. However, our calculated response algorithm and proactive intelligence neutralized the element of surprise,” said unit commander Viktor Torkotiuk.
-d67b6f80831d83bf04ef89a9e491058e.png)
He added that the Russian group was effectively led into a pre-prepared “fire pocket”.
“They were offered the chance to surrender, but the enemy chose a different path. The so-called ‘elite’ of the Russian army proved unprepared to face the systematic defense of HUR. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the soldiers, as well as coordinated cooperation with adjacent units of HUR’s Active Operations Department and Ukraine’s Defense Forces, our positions in the area of responsibility remain unbreached,” the commander of ‘Artan’ said.
In a broader operational context, Ukrainian forces also reported making territorial gains in May 2026, with analysts noting that Ukrainian units retook more ground than Russia was able to seize—marking the first month since the 2023 counteroffensive in which Russia recorded negative net territorial gains.
According to Militarnyi, citing Ukrainian Defense Forces sources, Russian troops captured around 130 square kilometres in May, while Ukrainian forces reportedly regained or cleared approximately 250 square kilometres, resulting in a net shift of about 120 square kilometres in Ukraine’s favour.
Discuss this article:
-4a56a6b482ec132402c16ef6fcabf9a2.png)
