Entire Russian Platoon Captured In Dobropillia Clearing Operation

The significance of this operation is that Ukrainian troops rarely capture more than a few Russians at a time. 

That an entire platoon surrendered appears to confirm reports that Russian forces on the front line are literally starving due to the interdiction of their supplies and prevention of reinforcement by Ukrainian drones. This also gives further credence to reports of low Russian morale. JL

Francis Farrell reports in the Kyiv Independent:

Ukraine's Azov International Battalion captured 18 Russian soldiers in less than 24 hours during a clearing operation of the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz near Dobropillia.  Zolotyi Kolodiaz was one of the furthest villages reached by Russian forces during its infiltration operation that began in August. While Russia’s advance was quickly halted, dozens of Russian troops remained dug in across the villages where the breakthrough occurred, with clearing operations stretching on for months. The Russian soldiers (constitute) an entire platoon.  

Foreign fighters serving in Ukraine’s Azov International Battalion captured 18 Russian soldiers in less than 24 hours during a uniquely successful clearing operation, the unit’s press service said on Feb. 6.

The Russian soldiers — roughly the size of an entire platoon — were taken prisoner during the final clearing of the village of Zolotyi Kolodiaz near Dobropillia in Donetsk Oblast. 

 

Russian troops first entered the village in August as part of a particularly deep and large-scale infiltration operation that succeeded in penetrating around 15 kilometers into Ukrainian-held territory within just a few days.

In response, several of Ukraine’s elite units — largely under the command of the National Guard’s 1st Azov Corps — were redeployed to rapidly stabilize the situation.

While Russia’s advance was quickly halted, dozens of Russian troops remained well dug in across the villages where the breakthrough occurred, with clearing operations stretching on for months. Zolotyi Kolodiaz, one of the furthest villages reached by Russian forces during the operation, was ultimately cleared by foreign fighters of the Azov International Battalion, part of Ukraine’s 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the National Guard, better known as Azov.

The final counterattacks to clear the village were carried out in December 2025, over four months after the initial breakthrough, a representative of the battalion told the Kyiv Independent.

 

Formed in late 2024, the Azov International Battalion is made up of infantry and assault companies, as well as reconnaissance and strike drone teams.

 

The unit includes both new recruits and those with extensive military experience, many of whom had already previously served in Ukraine's International Legion.

Interviews with the Russian soldier captured in the operation, together with details of the battalion's mission, were released together with drone and helmet cam footage by the unit.