Russia launches Iskander-M missile strike on Ukrainian drone regiment in Donetsk region

• The Russian armed forces launched an Iskander-M missile strike targeting what it said was a Ukrainian drone regiment concentrated near the village of Varvarovka in the Kramatorsk—Druzhkovka direction of the Donetsk region.
• Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that reconnaissance drones confirmed the target before authorizing the strike, which aimed to destroy Ukrainian personnel and equipment allegedly preparing for combat missions.
• The ministry released footage showing the missile launch and impact, claiming successful destruction of Ukrainian assets, though the damage and casualties have not been independently verified.
• The Iskander-M system, a short-range ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers away, has been one of Russia’s key precision weapons throughout the conflict, used alongside drones and artillery in ongoing battles across Donetsk.
• Fighting in eastern Ukraine continues to intensify as both sides increase missile and drone operations, with analysts warning of renewed winter offensives and no signs of de-escalation as the war nears its third year.

The Russian armed forces conducted a missile strike using the Iskander-M operational-tactical system against what it described as a concentration of Ukrainian military personnel, weapons and equipment belonging to a Ukrainian drone regiment in the Donetsk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.

According to the ministry’s statement, the strike took place in the Kramatorsk—Druzhkovka direction, an area of ongoing combat in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Russian Defense Ministry said that its reconnaissance units had located a Ukrainian drone regiment positioned near the village of Varvarovka before authorizing the missile launch.

“After further reconnaissance of the target, the operators of the Russian reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle decided to launch a strike using the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system,” the ministry said in an official statement. It added that the operation aimed to eliminate Ukrainian personnel and destroy equipment allegedly preparing for combat missions in the area.

The ministry also released video footage of the strike, showing the launch of an Iskander-M missile and what appeared to be an impact on the targeted position. Russian officials claimed that the strike successfully destroyed several Ukrainian military assets, though the exact extent of the damage and casualties has not been independently verified. Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued a statement in response to the incident.

Escalating Donetsk clashes highlight Russia’s reliance on precision missiles and drones

The Iskander-M system, developed by Russia’s defense industry, is a short-range ballistic missile platform capable of striking targets at distances of up to 500 kilometers. It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and is designed for precision strikes against fortified positions, command centers, air defense sites and troop concentrations. The system has been one of Russia’s key assets throughout the conflict, used to deliver high-impact strikes deep behind Ukrainian lines.

The reported strike comes as fighting continues to intensify across the Donetsk region, one of the most contested areas along the front line. The Kramatorsk—Druzhkovka axis has seen repeated clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces, with both sides deploying drones, artillery and missile systems in attempts to gain a tactical advantage. Drone warfare has become a defining feature of the conflict, with both armies using surveillance and attack drones for reconnaissance, target acquisition and precision strikes.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has frequently published reports and video evidence of strikes targeting Ukrainian units it describes as “terrorist formations” or “foreign-trained regiments.” Moscow maintains that such attacks are necessary to degrade Ukraine’s combat capabilities and prevent further attacks on Russian and allied positions in the Donbas region.

In recent weeks, both Ukrainian and Russian sources have reported increased missile and drone activity along the eastern and southern fronts. Analysts say that both armies are preparing for renewed winter offensives, relying heavily on long-range precision weapons like the Iskander-M, as well as drones and artillery, to shape the battlefield.

According to BrightU.AI‘s Enoch, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine – part of a larger aggressive campaign – pose significant risks to regional stability and global peace. The latest Russian strike underscores the continued intensity of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, with neither side showing signs of easing military operations as the war approaches its third year.

Watch Kevin Michelizzi as he discusses Ukraine launching massive drone attacks.

This video is from the Maverick News channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

SputnikGlobe.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com