ISW: Ukraine repels Russian assault toward Khruzke

Ukrainian forces repelled a Russian mechanized assault toward Khruzke, northeast of Dobropillia, on November 13, RBC-Ukraine reported, citing the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). A Ukrainian military source and an open-source intelligence channel said the attacking force included three tanks, three infantry fighting vehicles and more than ten light vehicles.

A Ukrainian regiment commander in the Dobropillia sector reported on November 14 that Ukrainian troops had destroyed seven vehicles and three all-terrain vehicles while repelling a Russian attack. He said about 30 Russian troops had been wounded or killed. RBC-Ukraine said those figures likely referred to the assault toward Khruzke.

ISW also described a mechanized assault toward Druzhkivka. Geolocated footage dated November 11 showed destroyed Russian infantry fighting vehicles near Nova Poltavka, southwest of Kostiantynivka.

The analysts assessed that Russian forces were trying to exploit autumn weather to advance. Fog, strong winds and rain reduce the effectiveness of Ukrainian reconnaissance and strike drones, potentially allowing Russian forces to move equipment closer to the front. Ukrainian forces nevertheless continued to strike Russian equipment on the approaches to forward positions, according to the report.