Ukrainian drones catch Russian quad bike assault in heavy snowfall near Yampil (VIDEO)

Ukraine’s Land Forces said they repelled a Russian assault attempt involving troops advancing on quad bikes toward the town of Yampil, according to a statement released by the Land Forces.

Yampil lies on the frontline close to the Sloviansk sector in northern Donetsk region and has remained an active area due to repeated Russian attempts to probe Ukrainian defences along nearby routes.

Assault group bets on snow cover

The incident took place in severe winter conditions, with heavy snowfall, strong winds, and limited visibility, the statement said.

According to the Ukrainian military, Russian forces attempted to use the weather to their advantage, moving a small assault group on quad bikes in the expectation they would avoid detection.

Drones spot advance despite conditions

The group was detected on the road leading to Yampil, the statement said. Drone operators from the SIGNUM battalion were deployed and engaged the targets.

The unit operated in coordinated pairs, allowing them to respond quickly despite the difficult conditions, according to the statement.

Ukraine’s Ground Forces said the assault was stopped, Russian personnel were killed, and the quad bikes used in the attack were destroyed.

Yampil: a persistent target on the Sloviansk approach

Yampil, located about 17 kilometers northeast of Sloviansk, has seen repeated Russian infiltration attempts throughout 2025. In September, Russian troops disguised as civilians attempted to storm the town, hiding in homes and basements before Ukrainian forces blocked and neutralized them. Parts of the settlement have remained a gray zone with active fighting.

In December, Ukrainian forces conducted clearing operations in the forests leading toward Lyman, pushing Russian units back toward Yampil, where more open terrain leaves them exposed to drone surveillance and artillery.

The town sits along approaches to Ukraine's "fortress belt" - the 50-kilometer fortified defensive line anchored by Sloviansk and Kramatorsk that Ukraine has reinforced since 2014.