Not all of Ukraine’s attacks on Russian positions end up circulating on social media like the recent strikes on what Ukraine says are over 30 Russian ammunition depots in the occupied east and south. There are other, much more discrete operations that Ukraine carries out deep into Russian-occupied territories. Among these low-profile operations was the destruction of a Wagner Group base 45 kilometers east of the front line in Russian-occupied Kadiivka in Luhansk Oblast in early June. Russia deployed the Wagner Group, a Russian-controlled mercenary group operating at the Kremlin’s request around the world, to eastern Ukraine amid its military’s “heavy losses,” the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on March 28. (…) Some Ukrainians who remained in Russian-occupied territories have been helping to identify Russian troops, equipment, bases, and depots, Anton, a member of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces, told the Kyiv Independent. (Editor’s note: The name has been changed to protect his identity.) The Special Operations Forces is a branch of Ukraine’s Armed Forces that conducts reconnaissance missions and covert operations behind enemy lines. It was through locals that intelligence officers learned in May about the Wagner Group mercenaries stationed in Kadiivka. (…) Oleh says a target is never destroyed the day after information is passed along. For the strike on the Wagner base in Kadiivka, preparations took about two weeks – from receiving the tip in May to striking the group on June 9. During this time, local residents continuously checked to make sure the mercenaries continued to occupy the building. Those residents have since left the city. According to Oleh, many locals knew that the Wagner Group was stationed in the city. “Wagner mercenaries don’t know how to keep their mouths shut,” he says. “They themselves went around and introduced themselves as ‘an orchestra’ or ‘musicians’” These self-given monikers are references to German composer Richard Wagner whom the group is believed to be named after. “They were telling local girls, ‘we are an orchestra on a tour here,’” says Oleh. Oleh found out exactly where the mercenaries were living at the stadium: in a large gym at the stadium’s premises. Under the stadium’s tribunes, the mercenaries set up an ammunition depot, with four or five of them standing guard there, and rotating frequently. Videos from the site, published by Russian propagandists after Ukraine hit it, confirm Oleh’s description of the place. A photo showing the aftermath of Ukraine’s strike on the stadium in Kadiivka where allegedly the Wagner Group mercenaries lived and kept their ammunition. (Courtesy) “In total, there were about 300 to 400 (mercenaries). It’s hard to say the exact number. I don’t think they even know how many of them were in town,” Anton says. It’s unknown what this group was doing or preparing to do in the Donbas. Wagner mercenaries are an elite force, more professional and experienced than regular Russian troops or their local collaborators. Successful strike Ukraine hit the stadium with artillery on early in the morning on June 9. The site was destroyed. The Special Operation Forces’ serviceman and his informant disagree on what weapons Ukraine used to hit the stadium. Anton says the strike was carried out with a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, recently provided to Ukraine by the U.S. But Ukraine only officially deployed HIMARS in Donbas in the second half of June.
via kievindependent: EXCLUSIVE: Inside Ukraine’s covert operation to take out elite Wagner Group mercenaries in Donbas