Russian troops entered Vozdvizhevka in the Zaporozhye Region from behind Ukrainian positions during the assault on the settlement, using small concealed groups and drone-protection equipment, a deputy commander of the Storm detachment with the call sign Mafan told RIA Novosti.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on May 27 that Vozdvizhevka had been brought under Russian control.

According to Mafan, the initial assault began from the eastern direction. Russian soldiers moved through Ukrainian combat formations in small groups, sometimes one or two at a time, before coming in from the rear and clearing a path for further advances.

He said assault groups usually operated at night. To reduce the risk of being spotted from the air, servicemen used anti-drone blankets and ponchos.

Before the assault, Russian units studied Ukrainian defenses from the air. Drones were used to look for possible routes into the settlement and to identify weak points in Ukrainian positions. Mafan noted that Ukrainian forces in the area were well fortified and had substantial support.

The operation relied on diversionary tactics. Some Russian units drew the attention of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on one section of the front, while other groups moved in covertly from the flanks and cleared positions.