Russian troops used diversionary fire and flanking moves to get around Ukrainian positions during the advance on Golubkovo in the Zaporozhye Region. Servicemen from the Vostok Group of Forces described the tactics used to take control of the settlement, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

A senior rifleman with the call sign «Botsman» said the approach to the village was difficult because of marshy ground and tall grass. Ukrainian forces were also watching the routes that Russian troops could use to move forward.

The servicemen advanced in small groups. While one unit opened fire and drew the Ukrainians’ attention, others moved in from another direction.

The defenses around Golubkovo had been prepared in advance, Botsman said. Russian troops encountered trenches, barbed wire, low-visibility wire obstacles, mines and tripwires. To get past them, the groups approached from the right, left and center, using the enemy’s focus on one direction to move around its positions elsewhere.

Ukrainian drones posed another threat during the advance. A serviceman with the call sign «Taksist» said mines were dropped from the air, forcing the troops to move carefully and constantly watch the ground beneath them.

He also recalled repeated drone attacks, saying the aircraft arrived one after another at intervals of only a few minutes while the troops sheltered under trees.

On October 6, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Golubkovo in the Zaporozhye Region had come under Russian control.