This footage, provided by Ukraine's Directorate of Intelligence, shows combat engineers from their "Terror" Battalion as they destroy a bridge to slow the Russian advance in Kharkiv. This occurred in the village of Vovchansky Khutory (also spelled Khutori) in May 2024.

Abbreviated in Ukrainian as HUR, the Directorate of Intelligence is roughly analogous to the United States' Defense Intelligence Agency. This makes their armed troops the Ukrainian answer to the Defense Clandestine Service. I make the comparison as an indicator of these soldiers' elite status; HUR also fields the "Timur" group, which has been active in Kharkiv and Sudan. Fittingly, the "Terror" engineers here have their identities concealed.

The engineers are shown placing charges on the bridge. It's unknown whether the white bags contain some type of accelerant or explosive, or if they were placed on top of the charges to force the explosion downward into the bridge. Next, we see them run a command wire from the bridge, and then use it to detonate.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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