February 16, 2026
Russian occupiers near Chasov Yar in the Donetsk region are forced to surrender to the Defense Forces due to a lack of food and water. The invaders have been holding out in these conditions for weeks, as the Russian command shows little concern for the fate of their charges.
Konstantin Melnikov, press officer for the 24th King Daniel Separate Mechanized Brigade, reported this, according to Suspilne. He noted that the Russians’ goal is to penetrate deep into the Ukrainian defenses and build up their forces.
Russian infantry is being thrown into assaults without water or supplies
According to Melnikov, the Russian army command is not replenishing food and water supplies for the infantry, which is attempting to carry out assaults in small groups.
“Their command refuses to send them drones with provisions, ammunition, or even water. So people sit in these hiding places for weeks, sometimes longer, without food or water. There are cases where they can’t take it anymore and surrender. Sometimes, our troops capture the enemy during counteroffensives,” he explained.
Thus, over the past week, units of the 24th Brigade captured eight Russian soldiers, eliminated 60 occupiers, and wounded more than 40 more.
The enemy continues to put pressure on the Defence Forces units
The press officer noted that Russian infantry is attempting to exploit adverse weather conditions to advance closer to Defense Forces positions. The occupiers continue their advance in small groups toward Chasov Yar and near the city.
“The enemy is trying to exploit the weather conditions—both rain and snow, which are currently blanketing the region in alternating waves—to advance small assault groups. There are quite a few of them. But this enemy tactic isn’t new; it’s quite predictable, allowing our soldiers to successfully repel assaults,” Melnikov said.
For their part, the Defence Forces manage to hold their positions, but the occupiers sometimes manage to penetrate through the battle lines.
“If the enemy has any probable advances, they won’t be long-term. There’s evidence of enemy presence in the village of Stupochki, but this predictability of the enemy allows us to both plan and carry out counteroffensive actions, stopping the enemy where they manage to infiltrate,” the press officer explained.
As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Ivan Petrychak, head of communications for the 24th King Daniel Separate Mechanized Brigade, previously reported on changes in the occupiers’ combat tactics in the Chasov Yar area. According to him, the invaders are relying on the mass use of individual infantry , moving in fog, snow, and rain to avoid detection by Ukrainian drones. Their task is to scout out plantings, shelters, and dugouts for subsequent artillery strikes.