Moscow’s troops used the same pincer tactic on Velyka Novosilka that has enabled their recent capture of town after town in eastern Ukraine.

Law enforcement authorities in Russia on Friday accused Ukrainian troops of killing 22 civilians in an occupied village of the Kursk region, including eight women who were allegedly raped before being executed.

The Ukraine conflict is the first major drone war in military history. Despite tactical losses on several parts along the line of contact, the Ukrainian military has continued to maintain strategic pressure on Russia by targeting and attacking major targets behind enemy lines.