Ukraine's Phoenix drone unit continues to maintain firm fire control over the Toretsk sector, a frontline area where russian forces persist in attempts to advance toward Kostyantynivka. According to the unit's latest report, the operators are systematically disrupting these efforts, targeting enemy infantry and vehicles before they can consolidate movement or gain momentum.
The Toretsk direction has become one of the most contested zones, with russian assault groups seeking tactical openings through rapid movement on motorcycles, cars, or armored vehicles. However, every such attempt remains under constant surveillance and within the strike envelope of Ukraine's FPV drone units. This persistent aerial overwatch has sharply reduced russia's ability to maneuver or reinforce along this axis.
Read more: russian Italmas Systems Down: Ukrainian Forces Neutralize Hybrid Kamikaze Drones (Video)
The crews emphasize that their approach is not reactive but preventive. By holding the entire local battlefield under sustained fire control, the unit eliminates threats before they can reach Ukrainian positions. Enemy transport columns, reconnaissance groups, and small assault elements are routinely intercepted and destroyed as soon as they appear in drone-monitored corridors.
Among the most notable targets in recent days was russian unmanned ground vehicle armed with the NSV Utyos 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. The system, likely intended to test new assault concepts or perform remote fire support, attempted to approach Ukrainian defensive lines. Such platforms are part of russia's ongoing experimentation with robotic systems meant to reduce infantry exposure and probe fortified areas.
According to border guards, the UGV never posed a real threat. The operators detected it early, tracked its movement pattern, and destroyed it before it could close the distance or inflict any damage. The neutralization of the system underscores once again how difficult it is for russia to introduce new technologies on a battlefield where Ukrainian drone reconnaissance dominates.
As Defense Express previously reported, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence have carried out another high-precision operation deep inside Crimea, further degrading russia's air defense and aviation capabilities on the peninsula.
Operators of the Prymary elite special unit struck two critical russian assets overnight on December 4, 2025: the MiG-29 multirole fighter at the Kacha military airfield and the Irtysh airfield radar system near Simferopol.
Read more: Ukraine Takes Out russian MiG-29 and Irtysh Radar in Dual Strike on Crimea (Video)
