Extremely graphic Ukrainian drone footage shows a Russian combat unit that has taken significant losses as they continue their offensive on Avdiivka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.

The footage begins as a Ukrainian drone observes a lone Russian soldier investigating a destroyed APC, likely scavenging for ammunitions and supplies. Unfortunately for him, the drone isn't just observing, it's relaying his position for a strike.

The strike arrives as an unspecified munition making a high angle approach. The resulting blast is massive, definitive overkill. The soldier is killed and the drone then observes a partial squad of Russian infantry now retreating from the area behind a woodline.

The footage then transitions to an aftermath battle damage assessment (BDA) in which it observes at least a dozen horrifically maimed corpses of Russian soldiers littering a nearby trench with collapsed bunkers.

Russian forces have been on the verge of a near encirclement of Avdiivka for several weeks, but have, as of yet, failed to take their objective. Russia's tactic (or lack thereof) is smashing men and equipment at the town with little to no visible coordinated effort. They may eventually take Avdiivka, but the cost spent in blood and equipment will hardly be justified.

About the Author

Will Killmore

Will Killmore is a US Army combat infantry veteran and Purple Heart recipient. He has deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan with the 172nd Stryker Brigade and 173rd Airborne Brigade. Following his time in service, he successfully pursued a certificate of journalism and has been a blogger for Funker530 since 2014. Follow Will’s bad takes on Twitter