Ukrainian Forces Report Breakthrough in Demidovka with HIMARS and ATACMS Support

Reports of Ukrainian troops have achieved a breakthrough in the village of Demidovka, located in the Krasnoyarsk district of the Belgorod region. According to sources , the (AFU) employed infantry units supported by missile strikes from American ATACMS and HIMARS systems during the assault. The source noted that the situation remains extremely tense

As of the publication of this report, there have been no official statements from the Russian Ministry of Defense or regional authorities, leaving the full context of the situation unclear.

The source suggests that Ukrainian forces have taken decisive steps to establish a foothold in Demidovka, employing a combination of ground offensives and intensive artillery fire. The use of ATACMS and HIMARS indicates a reliance on long-range precision weaponry capable of targeting fortified positions and command posts. This strategy may point to the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ intent not only to capture the territory but also to create a stable bridgehead near the state border. However, the lack of detailed information regarding the number of advancing troops and their losses prevents a comprehensive assessment of the operation’s scale. Nonetheless, the breakthrough into a populated area underscores the seriousness of the developments.

The situation in Demidovka unfolds amid escalating hostilities in the border areas of the Belgorod region. Reports from March 18 indicated that Ukrainian forces attempted to penetrate the village using armored and engineering vehicles to breach defensive lines such as the “dragon’s teeth.” While some Ukrainian equipment was reportedly destroyed, the latest reports confirm that the Ukrainians have managed to enter Demidovka. That same evening, a military correspondent confirmed ongoing fighting within the village, with Ukrainian units establishing positions on its southern outskirts, indicating a protracted standoff.

On March 23, Russian forces launched a counterattack, successfully driving Ukrainian troops out of Demidovka and initiating a cleanup operation in the village. A Military blogger noted that this operation involved units from the Akhmat special forces, the 155th Marine Brigade, and GRU special forces, suggesting that the initial success of the Ukrainian forces may have been temporary. The swift response from Russian command to deploy reserves indicates an effort to restore control over the area. However, “Operation Z: War Correspondents of the Russian Spring” reported on the evening of March 23 that fighting near Demidovka has persisted, with Ukrainian forces continuing to reinforce their positions from the Sumy region, including reserves near Maryino, highlighting the ongoing threat of a renewed offensive.

International analysts, including the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), believe that the attacks on the Belgorod border area are part of Kyiv’s broader strategy to stretch Russian forces and divert attention from other fronts, such as the Kursk region.