Today, there is a lot of news from the Kurakhove direction.Here, after Russian forces conducted a series of unsuccessful attempts to find a weak spot in and around Kostiantynivka, the Russian commanders had to adjust their approach. This led to a change in their tactic, and they prepared for one of the largest Russian mechanized assaults since the beginning of the war.The probing attacks observed over the past month aimed to assess the strength of the Ukrainian response, identify the types of munitions used, and, most crucially, measure the time between detection and response. Since all previous assault units were swiftly and decisively neutralized, Russian commanders concluded that only a significantly larger strike force could ensure at least some troops would reach Kostiantynivka. Consequently, they began assembling a reinforced battalion-sized group consisting of almost 70 vehicles, namely, 11 tanks, 46 armored fighting vehicles, 12 motorcycles, and 200 soldiers. Interestingly the Russians even included one of their rare vehicles – the BMPT Terminator which is designed to be a tank support fighting vehicle and reportedly only 23 units of it have been manufactured as of December 2023. The size and diversity of this assault group underscore the operation’s significance for the Russians and their willingness to invest heavily to secure a foothold in Kostiantynivka and use it as a launchpad for further advances.The Russian assault group was divided into several sub-groups, each led by a tank, followed by several armored fighting vehicles carrying troops, and then by motorcycles. These sub-groups attacked simultaneously with the strategy of overwhelming the Ukrainian defenders by sheer numbers, thereby splitting their efforts. The goal was to penetrate Kostiantynivka from the south and establish positions there. As you may recall, the defense of this part of the frontline is entrusted to the 79th Air Assault Brigade, one of the most well-prepared and well-equipped elite Ukrainian forces. Drone operators from the brigade maintain rigorous day and night surveillance of the zero line, as well as monitoring the Russian rear to anticipate enemy movements and respond proactively. It is no surprise that they detected this large, armored column from a distance and raised the alarm across all responsible Ukrainian units in the area.The first line of defense against such armored assaults involves the creation of extensive minefields, and Ukrainian sappers in the region have already demonstrated the thoroughness of their work. However, given the size of the enemy forces, it was evident that relying solely on minefields would be insufficient to halt the Russian offensive. Recognizing the potential for a critical situation, the Ukrainians decided to deploy all available weapons in their arsenal. Geolocated footage published by the brigade shows artillery and kamikaze drones targeting various enemy vehicles on the outskirts of the village. These images not only reveal the sophisticated tactics of the Russians but also highlight the variability in their assault groups. While all follow a similar pattern, their sizes differ, with some groups comprising up to 10 vehicles and others consisting of 3 to 5. The footage underscores the adaptability and readiness of the Ukrainian forces in countering such diverse and large-scale assaults.At the same time, the video exemplifies the Ukrainian multi-layered approach, consistently aiming to target the lead vehicle of each column. The goal was to destroy it, to either deter the rest of the column from advancing or to immobilize them, making them easier targets for the artillery and drone crews. Various images depict not only the devastating effectiveness of these tactics but also the crucial role of pre-laid minefields, evidenced by several powerful explosions of Russian armored fighting vehicles. This strategic combination led to significant success, with the 79th Air Assault Brigade confirming they had successfully repelled the Russian attack. By taking out the lead vehicles in each sub-group, they inflicted substantial damage: 6 out of 11 tanks were destroyed, 10 out of 46 armored fighting vehicles were taken out, all 12 motorcycles were obliterated, and of the 200 Russian troops, 40 were killed and 37 were injured. This clever defense tactic showcased the effectiveness and preparedness of the…