On July 17, fighters from the Freedom of russia Legion, a unit operating under the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, conducted a raid targeting russian National Guard forces near the village of Velyka Bilozerka in temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region.
According to the unit's statement, the operation involved a covert movement of over 30 kilometers into temporarily occupied territory. The ambush reportedly targeted personnel from the Akhmat unit, a Chechen formation within the National Guard.
Read more: Ukrainian Forces Report Destruction of russian Podlyot, Nioby-SV, S-300V, and P-18 Systems near Donetsk
The attack involved the detonation of an explosive device that struck a vehicle carrying russian personnel. As a result, three Akhmat servicemen were killed. The operation was conducted without reported casualties on the Ukrainian side.
In addition to the strike, the unit claims to have collected intelligence related to russian logistics, equipment, and command post locations in the area. Such information could inform further operational planning by Ukrainian forces or allied units.
The Freedom of russia Legion is composed of russian citizens who oppose the Kremlin and are aligned with Ukraine in the ongoing war. The group has carried out several small-scale sabotage and reconnaissance missions since its formation, primarily in temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories and across the border.
As Defense Express previously reported, during recent fighting near Kupiansk, a fighter from Ukraine's Bratstvo unit, part of the Defense Intelligence's Tymur special unit, held off an enemy assault despite being outnumbered five to one. The incident highlights both the intensity of combat in the area and the challenges Ukrainian forces continue to face along this front.
The Ukrainian fighter's defense was effective enough to delay or disrupt russian assault. In response, russian troops reportedly used banned chemical agents to dislodge him from the position – a violation of international law. This was followed by mortar shelling and repeated FPV drone strikes.
Read more: Ukrainian Drone Evades Missile, Identifies and Hits russian Air Defense Unit
