Strike on the 'Sever-Akhmat' Training Facility
On the night of May 20, Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces launched an attack on the training center of the 78th Special Purpose Motorized Regiment 'Sever-Akhmat', located in the temporarily occupied city of Snizhne, Donetsk region. The strike resulted in the deaths of 65 cadets and the head of the center. Among the deceased was the commander of the training and production complex, known by the call sign 'Buryi', who held a doctorate from the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences.
Operation 'Snow for Akhmat'
The operation, code-named 'Snow for Akhmat', was meticulously planned and coordinated by the Center for Deep Strike of the Unmanned Systems Forces, the intelligence unit of the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces, and the Security Service of Ukraine. Commander Robert Brovdi, known by the call sign 'Madjar', noted that the attack left an unforgettable impression on those present at the facility.
During the 'Birds' operation, the 1st Separate Center of the Unmanned Systems Forces carried out 11 planned strikes using medium-range munitions with a 100 kg warhead.
The primary target was a two-story building complex covering 2,484 square meters, which housed:
- Drone assembly operations
- Warhead storage
- Personnel quarters
Ammunition was stored in the basement. According to Denys Shtilerman, the attack destroyed one of three operational UAV manufacturing plants and a cadet school in Snizhne, along with four 'Tiger' vehicles, an ammunition depot, and components for drone production.
It is worth recalling that the 78th Special Purpose Motorized Regiment 'Sever-Akhmat', named after A.A. Kadyrov, is part of the Russian army's 42nd Division. According to available information, three such training centers were established in the occupied territories, with only two now remaining. The number of wounded is still being determined.
This attack on the 'Sever-Akhmat' training center underscores the intensification of Ukrainian operations against occupation forces, particularly by targeting key enemy infrastructure. The successful elimination of a significant number of personnel and equipment could severely impact the combat effectiveness of this unit and the broader situation in the region. The use of drone systems highlights the growing technological edge of Ukraine's armed forces, which may prove decisive in future military engagements.
The recent attack on the 'Sever-Akhmat' training center highlights a significant escalation in Ukraine's drone warfare capabilities. This follows a similar incident where Ukrainian drone forces successfully targeted a Russian pilot training facility near Luhansk, showcasing the effectiveness of unmanned systems in disrupting enemy training operations. Such developments indicate a trend in the shifting dynamics of military training and operations in the region.