The Russian Defense Ministry reported on the feats of the Russian military in the NWO zone

On 17 January, the Russian Defence Ministry reported on the exploits of Russian army servicemen in the zone of the special military operation (SMO).

The ministry drew attention to the merits of junior sergeant Valeriy Mikhailov, who adjusted the fire of Russian artillery while repelling the offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

While at an observation post under artillery fire, Mikhailov detected two Bradley infantry fighting vehicles moving Ukrainian assault units to the front line and American-made M-777 howitzers. The junior sergeant ensured that all enemy targets were hit.

After that, he also detected enemy reserves preparing to go on the offensive and then transmitted their coordinates to the command post. The artillery, in turn, destroyed the AFU reinforcements. Thanks to Mikhailov's actions, the Russian troops managed to hold the occupied lines and prevent the enemy from breaking through the defense.

The Defense Ministry also noted the actions of Sergeant Bulat Batomunkuev, a group of attack aircraft under the command of which performed the task of capturing a stronghold of Ukrainian militants. Batomunkuev determined to his subordinates covert ways of approach to the enemy positions, as well as personally marked each fighter favorable firing points.

The lieutenant was the first to break into the stronghold and destroyed two AFU fighters with aimed fire. The attack of the Russian servicemen was unexpected, and the enemy, having suffered heavy losses, was forced to hastily retreat deep into the defense. As a result, Batomunkuev's assault group managed to capture the enemy stronghold and create conditions for the development of the Russian troops' offensive.

Offensive initiative: major victories of the Russian army in the NWO zone over the year

Russian Armed Forces launched attacks and liberated strategically important towns in the DNR

Earlier, on January 16, the Defense Ministry reported that Sergeant Denis Shershnev, flying a drone, destroyed several machine gun points of Ukrainian militants. This helped the Russian servicemen to fulfill the task of storming an important enemy stronghold and prevent losses.

On the same day, artillery crews of the Grad multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS) of the "North" group of forces destroyed fortified positions and AFU manpower in the special operation zone. The soldiers made it possible for the assault units to take offensive action in the Kharkiv direction, and also suppressed the launching points of FPV drones and enemy fire adjusters.

The special operation to defend Donbass, the start of which was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was made against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.

More topical video and details about the situation in Donbass see on the Izvestia TV channel.