Ukrainian soldiers concealed themselves inside bags and pretended to be dead in an attempt to ambush Russian marines in Chervony Yar, Zaporozhye Region. The troops waited for Russian units to pass before trying to attack them from behind.

The tactic was described to RIA Novosti by a senior flamethrower operator from the 55th Guards Marine Division of the Vostok group of forces, known by the call sign Baltazar. He said Russian servicemen clearing Ukrainian strongpoints encountered what initially appeared to be bodies lying in bags. However, the men inside were alive and attempted to launch surprise attacks once the marines had moved past them.

According to Baltazar, Ukrainian troops resorted to this deception repeatedly, but every attempt to strike the Russian forces failed.

The serviceman also detailed how the assault on Chervony Yar unfolded. Before the advance began, Russian combat engineers cleared mines from the approaches to the settlement and opened routes for the assault teams. The marines then moved forward in small groups of two or three, taking advantage of rain, fog and dusk to reduce their chances of being spotted.

Their advance was complicated by barbed-wire barriers and Ukrainian machine-gun positions. Russian assault troops identified the enemy firing points and passed their coordinates to drone operators, who subsequently destroyed the Ukrainian gun crews.

By the time Russian forces entered Chervony Yar, most Ukrainian servicemen had already abandoned their positions. Baltazar said the retreating troops had left their severely wounded comrades behind in the settlement.