Latest news with #425th
Business Insider
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Ukraine has a new motorcycle attack unit that rushes gun-toting troops into battle on off-road bikes
As the battle with drones continues, motorcycles have become a rising star in Ukraine's war. The Ukrainian military's 425th separate assault regiment, nicknamed "Skala," announced on Tuesday that it had officially formed the country's first motorcycle attack company. "As a result, we now have a modern 'cavalry' whose main task is to rapidly break through to enemy positions, conduct assault operations, and quickly shift the direction of attack," it said on its Telegram channel. The use of motorcycles to carry troops into battle is well-documented in Ukraine. Since early last year, Russian troops have been increasingly seen riding on light vehicles such as ATVs and motorbikes as both a means of transport and a way to attack Ukrainian positions rapidly. Their rise is largely viewed as a direct consequence of drone warfare, since armored vehicles are often vulnerable to exploding drones on Ukraine's flat terrain. While motorbikes leave the rider more exposed, they're faster, nimbler, and smaller, which makes them better able to evade attacks from small drones. "Russia's increased use of motorcycles is an adaptation in response to pervasive Ukrainian drone strikes against Russian armored vehicles and the unsustainable armored vehicle losses that Russian forces suffered in late 2023 and 2024," the Institute for the Study of War wrote in early May. Ukraine's troops initially balked at the attack method, which the Russians used in suicide assaults to wear down Ukrainian defenses and munitions. But the 425th's announcement on Tuesday means that some Ukrainians are now adopting the same tactic. In its statement, the 425th said its motorbike-riding troops had trained for "hundreds of hours" to shoot while on the move. The statement did not indicate whether the unit has started fighting or when its motorcycle troops will hit the front lines. The 425th released a video of about two dozen soldiers riding tandem on off-road motorbikes, with each pair involving one driver and an infantryman wielding an assault rifle. "The goal is to ride in, strike quickly at enemy positions, dismount, storm in, secure a foothold, and complete the mission successfully," a Ukrainian soldier says in the video. Deploying motorbikes in a direct assault is an unusual tactic for modern war, where such vehicles are typically used for reconnaissance or infiltration. US special forces, for example, have used commercial bikes to navigate difficult terrain or traverse deserts in the Middle East. But in Ukraine, the number of motorbikes sighted on the front lines has grown dramatically. In April, Ukrainian troops said they repelled a Russian assault on Pokrovsk that involved over 100 motorcycles. Several Russian motorized attacks last month were also reported to be comprised wholly of motorcycles and civilian vehicles. The latter have been increasingly appearing in the warzone, with Moscow's troops often sighted traveling in sedans and tractors at the rear — a likely sign of strain on Russian logistics and resources. Analysts from the ISW said in late April that it's likely Russia will start further incorporating motorcycles into its tactics for future attacks. Lt. Col. Pavlo Shamshyn, spokesperson of Ukraine's ground forces in Kharkiv, told local media that week that Kyiv believed the same. "Our intelligence records the fact that in training centers on the territory of the Russian Federation and in the units themselves, active training of motorcycle drivers is taking place, and all this indicates that the assault operations of spring-summer 2025 will be carried out on motorcycles," Shamshyn told Ukrainian outlet Suspilne.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine stabilizes Pokrovsk front, seizes tactical initiative in some areas, Syrskyi says
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways Ukraine has stabilized the situation in the Pokrovsk direction of Donetsk Oblast and in some areas seized the tactical initiative, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on May 6. Pokrovsk, located about 70 kilometers northwest of Donetsk, remains one of the most fiercely contested sectors of the front, where Russia has concentrated its main offensive efforts since March. "The Pokrovsk direction is one of the most difficult sections of the front... However, thanks to the courage and skillful actions of the soldiers of the Defense Forces, we managed to stabilize the situation in this operational zone in the Donetsk region and in some places seize the tactical initiative," Syrskyi said in a post on social media. Syrskyi highlighted the performance of the 425th separate assault regiment "Skala," describing it as a unit capable of effective active defense. The regiment demonstrated its effectiveness earlier this year near the village of Shevchenko, approximately three kilometers southwest of Pokrovsk, and during the 2022 Kharkiv offensive, he said. "Soldiers, sergeants, officers, you fulfill your tasks with honor. Ukraine believes in you, and you can always be relied on. Once again, I express my sincere gratitude to you," Syrskyi added. The estimated Russian advance in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, as of May 6, 2025, according to DeepState map. A black symbol marks Pokrovsk. (DeepState / OpenStreetMaps) Ukrainian forces have liberated approximately 16 square kilometers (about 6.2 square miles) near Pokrovsk in recent weeks, Syrskyi announced on April 17. Russian forces have recently intensified attacks in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces spokesperson, Vladyslav Voloshyn, said on April 29. While Donetsk Oblast has been the epicenter of Russian aggression since 2014, with escalation after the full-scale invasion in 2022, Russian troops have not yet crossed into neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Since early March, Ukraine has signaled readiness for a 30-day ceasefire if Russia agrees to reciprocal terms. Moscow has refused, demanding extraordinary concessions, including a halt to all foreign military aid to Ukraine. Read also: Ukraine's drones target Moscow second night in a row, Russian official claims, ahead of Victory Day parade We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Ukraine-Russia war latest: US and Russian officials to meet in Munich as Zelensky gives Ukraine peace talks warning
Russian and US officials are set to meet in Munich on Friday, with Ukraine also invited to participate, Donald Trump has said. 'They're having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia's going to be there with our people,' the US president told reporters at the White House. 'Ukraine is also invited by the way. Not sure exactly who's going to be there from any country, but high level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States.' US Vice President JD Vance and Zelensky are also due to sit down on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday to discuss efforts to end the war. The US president has hailed the 'great talks' he had with both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday, and said discussions to end the war in Ukraine would begin 'immediately'. But Zelensky warned world leaders not to trust 'Putin's claims of readiness to end the war and his announcement caused concern in Europe that a deal could be done over their heads. Zelensky praises frontline result near Pokrovsk President Volodymyr Zelensky has praised a "good result" on the frontline of Ukraine's nearly three-year-old war against Russia. In his nightly video address, the president praised the actions of the 425th separate assault regiment, appearing to indicate the action had taken place near the frontline city of Pokrovsk. "There is a good result," Mr Zelensky said. "It would be improper to describe the geography. I won't make this political, but I want to congratulate the boys of the 425th separate assault regiment. Your strength clearly has meaning. Well done!"Russian forces have been advancing towards Pokrovsk for weeks as part of their steady drive through eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, capturing a string of villages. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar14 February 2025 04:34 Ukraine denies participation in today's US-Russia meeting A Ukrainian official has denied Ukraine's participation in today's joint meeting between US and Russian representatives in Munich. US president Donald Trump yesterday told reporters that Ukraine has also been invited to the Munich meeting. "Not sure exactly who's going to be there from any country, but high-level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States," he told reporters. Dmytro Lytvyn, an advisor to Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky, said there was nothing on the table from Ukraine. "No talks with the Russians are planned in Munich," he said, according to Kyiv Independent. "Ukraine's position remains unchanged. Ukraine must first speak with America. Europe must be part of any serious conversation for a genuine and lasting peace. Only a coordinated, unified position should be on the table for talks with the Russians. We don't meet with Russians at an empty table." Alisha Rahaman Sarkar14 February 2025 03:52 British military chiefs rage over fears of Trump sell out of Ukraine Sir Keir Starmer faces a possible diplomatic breach with Donald Trump over the president's shock talks with Russia's Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war. After learning of Mr Trump's plan to meet Putin in Saudi Arabia to discuss the issue, defence secretary John Healey said Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky must have a say. And British defence figures are said to reacted furiously to claims Ukraine will be forced to give up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying of the US administration's stance: 'The bastards are going to do this'. Read the full story: British military chiefs rage over fears of Trump sell out of Ukraine John Healey says 'no negotiation about Ukraine without Ukraine' in robust warning to Donald Trump Athena Stavrou14 February 2025 03:47 Macron says only Zelensky can negotiate peace for Ukraine French president Emmanuel Macron said only Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky could negotiate on behalf of his country with Russia to end the war, warning a "peace that is a capitulation" would be "bad news for everyone". "The only question at this stage is whether president Putin is genuinely, sustainably, and credibly willing to agree to a ceasefire on this basis. After that, it is up to the Ukrainians to negotiate with Russia," Mr Macron told the Financial Times. US president Donald Trump on Wednesday separately discussed the war with Russian president Vladimir Putin and Mr Zelensky and told US officials to begin talks on ending the nearly three-year-long conflict. Mr Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, said Ukraine would have a seat at the table during any peace negotiations with Russia over ending the war. The French president said Mr Trump had created a "window of opportunity" for a negotiated solution, where "everyone has to play their role", adding that it is now up to Mr Zelensky to discuss territorial and sovereignty issues. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar14 February 2025 03:29 Zelensky 'will not accept' peace agreement without Ukraine at talks Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will not accept any peace agreement that does not include Ukraine in talks. The Ukrainian president spoke to journalists on Thursday, following a call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. "We cannot accept it, as an independent country, any agreements (made) without us," Mr Zelensky said as he visited a nuclear power station in western Ukraine. "I articulate this very clearly to our partners. Any bilateral negotiations about Ukraine, not on other topics, but any bilateral talks about Ukraine without us, we will not accept." Athena Stavrou14 February 2025 02:28 Ukraine has reiterated its plea that no peace deal is possible if it is forced to give up territory to Russia, after the US said supporting Kyiv to retake occupied land was 'unrealistic'. US defence secretary Pete Hegseth signaled a dramatic shift in American military policy towards Europe during a speech in Brussels on Wednesday. 'We want, like you, a sovereign and prosperous Ukraine,' Mr Hegseth said. 'But we must start by recognising that returning to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering." This marks a stark turn from the previous Joe Biden administration's support for Ukraine to eject Russian forces from its land completely. The hardline stance under the Trump regime has already faced backlash, with accusations that the US is 'betraying' Ukraine. See where the 2014 borders were mapped and read the full story here: How Ukraine-Russia battle lines compare to pre-war borders ahead of peace talks Donald Trump's administration says it believes Ukraine's hopes of forcing Russia out of occupied territory are 'unrealistic' Athena Stavrou14 February 2025 01:12 'Putin will use this to take Europe': Outraged Ukrainians slam Trump's peace talks with Russia Senior officers, veterans, politicians and ordinary soldiers have lashed out at Donald Trump's plans to meet Vladimir Putin in peace talks that exclude Ukraine. Ukrainian rap star Oleksandr Yarmak, who is also head of research and development in the country's new unmanned aerial vehicle force, told The Independent: 'Regardless of the plans of Trump and the murderous Putin, we will defend our country. 'If Russia is not punished for its bloody deeds, this world has no future.' Read the full story here: 'Putin will use this to take Europe': Ukrainians slam Trump's peace talks with Russia The world is seeing a repeat of Munich 1938, Ukrainians tell world affairs editor Sam Kiley – who recently returned from the country – as they express disgust at Trump's latest intervention Athena Stavrou14 February 2025 00:01 Latest pictures from Ukraine Athena Stavrou13 February 2025 22:33 Trump says US, Russian officials to meet in Munich on Friday, Ukraine invited Donald Trump said on Thursday that U.S. and Russian officials would meet in Munich on Friday and that Ukraine was also invited. "They're having a meeting in Munich tomorrow. Russia's going to be there with our people. Ukraine is also invited by the way. Not sure exactly who's going to be there from any country, but high level people from Russia, from Ukraine and from the United States," Trump told reporters. When asked for further details, the White House declined comment. Athena Stavrou13 February 2025 21:47 Athena Stavrou13 February 2025 21:04
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ukraine's Zelenskiy praises frontline result, appears to be near city of Pokrovsk
(Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday praised a "good result" on the front line of Ukraine's nearly three-year-old war against Russia, but provided no details or location. But in his nightly video address, the president praised the actions of the 425th separate assault regiment, appearing to indicate the action had taken place near the frontline city of Pokrovsk. "There is a good result," Zelenskiy said. "It would be improper to describe the geography. I won't make this political, but I want to congratulate the boys of the 425th separate assault regiment. Your strength clearly has meaning. Well done!" See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Russian forces have been advancing towards Pokrovsk for weeks as part of their steady drive through eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, capturing a string of villages. Russia's Defence Ministry on Thursday announced the capture of Vodiane Druhe, a village northeast of Pokrovsk. Russian bloggers said the capture of Vodiane Druhe would enable Russian forces to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. But Zelenskiy's upbeat comments follow several days of reports of intense fighting around the city and of Ukrainian efforts to push back Russian forces. The 425th regiment cited by Zelenskiy produced a video this week in which it said it had pushed Russian forces out of another village west of Pokrovsk. A spokesman for Ukraine's Khortytsya, or eastern, group of forces said heavy fighting was engulfing areas along a road running from Pokrovsk east to the city of Kostyantynivka, also under Ukrainian control. "It is not entirely clear who is in control of the road or the villages along it," spokesperson Viktor Trehubov told public broadcaster Suspilne. "Fighting is going on right there with varied results. Ukrainian forces are regaining their positions in specific sectors, Russian troops are trying to dig in and hanging on to some small settlements." At least one foreign blogger has reported Ukrainian counterattacks in the area, particularly southeast of Pokrovsk. After failing in the initial weeks of the February 2022 invasion to advance on Kyiv, Russian forces have concentrated on capturing the Donbas, made up of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces control roughly 20% of Ukraine's territory. Much of the attention along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line has been focused in recent weeks on Pokrovsk, a logistics centre and site of Ukraine's only colliery producing coking coal, now closed as Russian troops have made gains.
Reuters
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Ukraine's Zelenskiy praises frontline result, appears to be near city of Pokrovsk
Feb 13 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday praised a "good result" on the front line of Ukraine's nearly three-year-old war against Russia, but provided no details or location. But in his nightly video address, the president praised the actions of the 425th separate assault regiment, appearing to indicate the action had taken place near the frontline city of Pokrovsk. "There is a good result," Zelenskiy said. "It would be improper to describe the geography. I won't make this political, but I want to congratulate the boys of the 425th separate assault regiment. Your strength clearly has meaning. Well done!" Russian forces have been advancing towards Pokrovsk for weeks as part of their steady drive through eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, capturing a string of villages. Russia's Defence Ministry on Thursday announced the capture of Vodiane Druhe, a village northeast of Pokrovsk. Russian bloggers said the capture of Vodiane Druhe would enable Russian forces to disrupt Ukrainian supply lines. But Zelenskiy's upbeat comments follow several days of reports of intense fighting around the city and of Ukrainian efforts to push back Russian forces. The 425th regiment cited by Zelenskiy produced a video this week in which it said it had pushed Russian forces out of another village west of Pokrovsk. A spokesman for Ukraine's Khortytsya, or eastern, group of forces said heavy fighting was engulfing areas along a road running from Pokrovsk east to the city of Kostyantynivka, also under Ukrainian control. "It is not entirely clear who is in control of the road or the villages along it," spokesperson Viktor Trehubov told public broadcaster Suspilne. "Fighting is going on right there with varied results. Ukrainian forces are regaining their positions in specific sectors, Russian troops are trying to dig in and hanging on to some small settlements." At least one foreign blogger has reported Ukrainian counterattacks in the area, particularly southeast of Pokrovsk. After failing in the initial weeks of the February 2022 invasion to advance on Kyiv, Russian forces have concentrated on capturing the Donbas, made up of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces control roughly 20% of Ukraine's territory. Much of the attention along the 1,000-km (600-mile) front line has been focused in recent weeks on Pokrovsk, a logistics centre and site of Ukraine's only colliery producing coking coal, now closed as Russian troops have made gains.
