Russian assault troops attacked a group of Polish mercenaries holding positions inside a high-rise building during the battle for Belitskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to Denis Shipovalov, a serviceman with the 5th Motorized Rifle Brigade.

The Russian fighters initially tried to address the foreigners in Russian and English, but received no response. The unit was then ordered to storm the building.

The assault was launched from two directions. One team drew the enemy’s attention near the entrance, while the second group, which included Shipovalov, reached the attic and threw grenades at the mercenaries inside.

The operation to capture Belitskoye involved troops from the 5th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade of the Center group of forces, as well as a special-purpose battalion.

During the main phase of the advance, assault units from the reconnaissance battalion moved alongside motorized rifle troops under heavy fire support and reached the outskirts of the settlement. They then pushed through the residential districts, eliminating pockets of resistance and blocking routes that could have been used to bring in reinforcements.

Special forces operated on the flanks and behind the main assault line. Their teams located concealed firing positions, disrupted preparations for counterattacks and covered the most vulnerable sections of the advancing force.