Try To Break Through Russian Defense In Zaporizhia: 50 Ukrainian Army Died, Seven Detained, Three US-made Baja Lapiswasty

Illustration of the Russian military. (Wikimedia Commons/Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

JAKARTA - More than fifty Ukrainian troops were killed and seven captured while trying to break through a defense near the Nesteryanka settlement, Zaporizhia territory, according to Russian-backed administrator Vladimir Rogov on Thursday.

On the morning of September 14, the Unit of the 65th Automated Gun Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted to break through the defense of the 503rd Motorized Gun Regiment from the 19th Division near the Nesteryanka settlement in the Zaporizhia region.

He said attempts to penetrate the defense were thwarted, with Ukrainian troops being pushed back, after resistance from artillery and motorized rifles with serious losses.

A Ukrainian tank was destroyed by gunfire from an anti-tank weapon. Its crew survived but was left by Ukrainian troops fleeing the battlefield.

"As a result of the fighting, Ukrainian militants (President Vladimir) Zelensky lost more than 50 troops," Rogov wrote on his Telegram channel, reported by TASS Sept. 15.

According to Rogov, three tanks, three US-made M113 armored infantry carriers were destroyed. Seven soldiers, including one officer, were seized.

"During the interrogation of the detainees, it revealed that the units were not well guarded, with most of the untrained reserve troops sent to combat as gun 'umpan'," he added.

Currently, about 72-73 percent of the Zaporizhia region has been released. However, the regional administration center, Zaporizhia City, where nearly half of the region's population lives, is still controlled by Kyiv and its temporary function is carried out by Melitopol.

The region is being integrated into Russian economic and legal environments, with local authorities expressing their intention to approve of Russia.