Ukrainian forces successfully eliminated three high-ranking Russian military officers in a precision strike on a command post in the Zaporizhzhia region, according to Ukraine's Defense Ministry Intelligence Directorate.
The operation, executed through coordination between Ukraine's Defense Ministry, Security Service, and Armed Forces, employed HIMARS rocket systems followed by drone attacks targeting evacuating Russian forces.
The deceased officers were identified as Captain Dmitriy Nagorny and Captain Grigory Krokhmalyov of the 135th Motorized Rifle Regiment, along with Captain Yuriy Fomin, who commanded an anti-aircraft battery of the 4th Guards Military Base.
Released footage shows a massive explosion at a remote outpost, with subsequent cluster munition strikes. Ground images revealed at least five destroyed Russian vehicles at the strike location.
Ukrainian forces utilized a sophisticated combination of HIMARS precision-guided missiles and FPV (first-person view) kamikaze drones to execute the attack. The initial missile strike targeted Russian vehicles near a wheat field, followed by cluster munition strikes covering a wider area.
The operation demonstrates Ukraine's continued focus on targeting Russian command structures. This strategy previously resulted in successful operations against other senior Russian military leaders, including Lt. General Igor Kirillov.
The strike occurs amid ongoing intense combat in the Zaporizhzhia region, which Russia annexed in early 2022. Recent weeks have seen escalating military activity in the area, with both sides launching strikes on military and infrastructure targets.
Ukraine has received at least 39 HIMARS systems from the United States since June 2022, proving highly effective in precision strikes against Russian military targets. Recent U.S. aid packages continue to include HIMARS rockets alongside other military equipment.
Neither Russian defense officials nor independent sources have confirmed the Ukrainian claims regarding the officers' deaths.