Russian aerial reconnaissance crews spotted a small group of fighters identified as Polish mercenaries during the battle for Krasnoyarskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Ilya Gavazin, a drone systems operator with the 78th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment of the 51st Guards Combined Arms Army, told RIA Novosti that the group was detected while reconnaissance teams were carrying out a combat mission near the settlement.

Several fighters were seen attempting to leave their positions unnoticed by moving through a forest belt. Russian servicemen identified them as Polish based on their patches, weapons and equipment, Gavazin said.

After locating the group, Russian forces launched an FPV drone strike and destroyed it.

According to Gavazin, opposing troops often move in teams of two or three to reduce the likelihood of being detected from the air. The group found near Krasnoyarskoye was following the same approach.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on July 30 that units of the Center group of forces had taken control of Krasnoyarskoye in the DPR.