During the fighting for Vodyanskoye, Russian units reportedly covered about 15 kilometers through a system of Ukrainian engineering barriers, including anti-tank ditches.

To get across some of the obstacles, Russian troops used drones to drop ladders. Deputy battalion commander Ilya Guryanov said Ukrainian forces had prepared defensive positions inside Vodyanskoye in advance.

According to Guryanov, the Ukrainian defense relied heavily on control of the air, while the settlement itself also contained strongpoints, reinforced buildings with solid basements and firing positions that were difficult to destroy.

Following artillery preparation, Russian assault groups entered Vodyanskoye and began securing positions inside the built-up area. The troops moved in small groups, mainly at night, in an effort to reduce the risk of detection and attacks by Ukrainian drones.

Two strongpoints located in residential buildings were reportedly cleared during the fighting. One of them housed a drone control post. After an artillery strike, the Ukrainian operators left the position, abandoning equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles and radio sets.

On August 19, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that Vodyanskoye had come under Russian control. According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces lost up to 380 servicemen, seven vehicles, six armored combat vehicles, two electronic warfare stations and one artillery gun during the fighting.