HUR fighters take out chief of staff of "Storm.Osetia" battalion in Zaporizhzhia region

The Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported this incident.

According to the report, on December 29, 2024, on the Vasylivka-Tokmak highway, FPV drone operators from the HUR "Kraken" active operations unit eliminated Sergey Melnikov, the chief of staff of the "Storm.Osetia" battalion (part of the 429th motorized rifle regiment of the Russian Armed Forces), along with his driver.

The scouts had obtained detailed information about the route and schedule of the battalion chief’s movements in the occupied territory of the Zaporizhzhia region. Using this intelligence, aerial reconnaissance planned an FPV drone ambush targeting the Russian officer.

"First, the drone operators skillfully intimidated the driver of the UAZ Patriot vehicle carrying Melnikov. The frightened driver sharply changed course, sending the car into a ditch. Military intelligence then hit the vehicle with a drone, striking it in the front," the HUR explained.

Both Russian invaders were confirmed dead, according to the intelligence agency.