Ukrainian Special Forces Clear Zaporizhzhia Settlement, Capture Russian Troops

(ZAPORIZHZHIA REGION, UKRAINE) – Ukrainian military intelligence special forces have carried out a clearing operation in a settlement on the Zaporizhzhia front, removing Russian infantry units that had entrenched themselves in residential buildings, according to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

The operation was conducted by the “Khymera” unit, part of the “Tymur” special подразделение under Ukraine’s military intelligence agency. Ukrainian officials said small groups of Russian infantry had taken positions inside civilian structures. Ukrainian reconnaissance troops used coordinated and methodical tactics to force them out.

During the operation, Ukrainian forces entered buildings, secured basements and upper floors, and engaged Russian troops at close range. Footage released by the unit shows soldiers moving through confined spaces, issuing commands and coordinating room by room clearance.

Audio from the engagement captures the intensity of the operation. Commands such as “Basement. Basement. Grenade,” and “I’m going in. Come here. To the right,” reflect the close quarters battle environment. Troops are heard coordinating movements to upper floors, with repeated confirmations of areas being cleared: “Second floor… we’ve entered… clear, clear.”

Ukrainian forces reported eliminating Russian infantry during the fighting and capturing several soldiers. Among those taken prisoner were individuals identifying themselves as Ivan Popenko, a soldier of the 108th Air Assault Regiment, and Sergeant Vladimir Medvednikov of the same unit.

In recorded statements, the captured soldiers acknowledged their situation. One stated he “could have died” but remained alive due to the actions of the Ukrainian unit, while another said he had survived “thanks to Khymera.”

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine said captured personnel would be added to the exchange pool and later swapped for Ukrainian prisoners of war held by Russia.

The agency described the operation as a demonstration of professional close quarters battle tactics. It added that combat operations are continuing across multiple fronts.