On the night of December 17, 2025, the sky over the occupied Luhansk region lit up with secondary explosions. Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) executed a precision strike against a major Russian logistical node.
According to official reports from the SOF command, the target was a hardened artillery ammunition depot actively supporting the Russian 51st Army. The operation marks a significant escalation in Kyiv’s winter campaign to dismantle Moscow’s supply lines from the inside out.
Severing the Artery of the 51st Army
Intelligence identified the facility as a primary storage hub for the 101st Separate Material and Technical Support Brigade. This unit acts as the logistical backbone for Russian offensive operations in the sector. By severing this artery, Ukrainian planners aimed to starve frontline artillery units of essential shells.
As noted in the SOF statement released following the attack, the depot was “actively used to supply ammunition and support the offensive capabilities of enemy forces.”
The Weapon: Precision Strikes with FP-2 Drones
The strike was not conducted with long-range missiles, but with FP-2 strike drones. These unmanned systems successfully navigated Russian air defenses to deliver their payload deep behind enemy lines. Military analysts note that the use of such platforms marks a shift in tactics, enabling Ukrainian operators to conduct high-value, precision attacks with reduced risk to personnel.
The successful penetration suggests significant gaps in Russia’s electronic warfare umbrella currently protecting the occupied Luhansk region.
1,700 Russian Troops Lost
The depot destruction coincided with one of the deadliest days for Moscow’s forces in recent months. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Russian losses on December 17 alone totaled approximately 1,700 troops.
This figure represents a significant spike in attrition, reflecting the intense combat tempo along the Eastern Front. The loss of personnel on this scale underscores the brutal cost of sustained offensive operations in the Donbas sector.
Artillery Systems Erased From the Battlefield
Beyond the high human cost, the equipment losses on December 17 were equally severe. Operational updates indicate that 33 Russian artillery systems were destroyed within the same 24-hour window. This degradation of fire support is critical; without these guns, infantry units are left exposed.
Defense experts note that replacing trained artillery crews and complex weaponry is far more challenging than mobilizing infantry, resulting in a double blow to the 51st Army’s combat capabilities.
Thousands of Shells Likely Vaporized
While the exact tonnage of the destroyed ammunition remains classified, military logistics experts estimate the impact is substantial. A brigade-level depot typically houses between 50 and 150 tons of ordnance to sustain offensive pushes.
Based on these standard capacities, analysts suggest that anywhere from 500 to 2,000 artillery rounds—ranging from 122mm to 203mm calibers—were likely vaporized in the resulting inferno, instantly reducing the volume of fire available to Russian batteries.
Disrupting the Front Line
Without a steady flow of shells, the 101st Brigade cannot effectively support the 51st Army’s maneuvers. Combat assessments suggest this single strike could disrupt operations across 5 to 15 square kilometers of the front line.
As the SOF command stated, their primary objective is to “carry out asymmetric actions to undermine the offensive potential of the Russian army” in these highly contested zones.
A Pattern of Destruction in December
This operation was not an isolated incident but part of a systematic campaign. Earlier in December, Ukrainian special forces successfully targeted several other large logistical hubs. On December 9, multiple depots containing fuel and drones in the occupied Donbas were destroyed.
Just a day later, on December 10, SOF units eliminated a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group in Pokrovsk.
Hunting Trains and Mobile Logistics
The reach of Ukraine’s special operators extends beyond static depots. Recent reports confirmed that SOF units intercepted and struck a fuel train in transit through the Donetsk region, with similar operations reported near Crimea.
By targeting moving logistical assets, Kyiv forces Russia to divert security resources to protect rail lines, thinning their defensive density elsewhere.
High-Value Targets: The Uragan Systems
Military hardware remains a priority target alongside ammunition. In a separate engagement leading up to the Luhansk strike, SOF operators located and destroyed a BM-27 “Uragan” multiple launch rocket system, along with its crew, in the Donetsk region.
The Uragan is a potent area-denial weapon; its removal directly saves Ukrainian lives. These surgical strikes demonstrate the SOF’s ability to locate and neutralize specific threats amidst the chaos of the broader front.
The Pokrovsk Grinder Continues
The backdrop for these rear-area strikes is the intense fighting near Pokrovsk. This sector remains a focal point of the Russian winter offensive. Intelligence summaries indicate that the 51st Army has been pushing hard in this direction, relying heavily on the supply lines that are now being picked apart.
By hitting the 101st Brigade’s stocks, Ukraine is effectively buying time and reducing the pressure on its defenders holding the line in Pokrovsk.
Phantom Drones
The success of the December 17 raid raises serious questions about Russian security in the occupied territories. For FP-2 drones to reach a brigade-level depot, they must evade layers of air defense and electronic jamming.
Security analysts interpret this as a sign of superior Ukrainian intelligence penetration. Knowing exactly where and when to strike suggests that Kyiv maintains a robust network of informants or surveillance assets deep within the Luhansk region.
No Safe Harbor
Beyond the physical destruction, these deep strikes carry a heavy psychological weight. Russian logistics personnel, typically considered safer than frontline infantry, now find themselves in the crosshairs.
When ammunition dumps and fuel trains explode miles behind the front, it sends a clear message that “occupied territory” does not equate to “safe harbor” for Moscow’s forces.
The 51st Army’s Supply Dilemma
The 51st Army now faces a critical dilemma. With their primary ammunition lifeline severed by the December 17 strike, commanders must either pause their offensive to rebuild stocks or press forward with dwindling supplies.
Military history suggests that attacking without adequate artillery support leads to catastrophic casualties.
Trading Drones for Depots
This campaign exemplifies the definition of asymmetric warfare. Unable to match Russia’s shell-for-shell capabilities in a standing artillery duel, Ukraine utilizes precision technology and special forces to level the playing field.
By trading relatively inexpensive drones for irreplaceable ammunition stockpiles and costly artillery systems, Kyiv imposes a disproportionate cost on the invader.
The Logistics Nightmare for Russia
The ripple effects of the December 17 explosion will be felt throughout the Russian supply chain. Replacing 50 to 150 tons of hazardous material requires convoys of trucks, which are themselves vulnerable to interdiction.
According to logistics experts, the “turnaround time” for resupply in the Donbas has likely increased significantly. Every hour spent waiting for new shells is an hour where Russian guns fall silent, giving Ukrainian forces a tactical window.
Evolution of the Drone Threat
The deployment of FP-2 drones in this role signals an evolution in unmanned warfare. Initially used for tactical reconnaissance or small-scale strikes, these platforms are now being utilized as strategic assets capable of erasing brigade-level infrastructure.
This shift forces Russian air defense commanders to adapt rapidly, stretching their radar coverage to the limit.
Unsustainable Attrition Rates
Losing 1,700 soldiers and 33 artillery pieces in a single day is technically unsustainable over the long term. While Russia has vast reserves, the quality of troops and equipment degrades with every such loss.
As military observers note, replacing a conscript is possible, but replacing a veteran artillery crew and their integrated logistics support is a far slower process.
The Hidden Human Cost
Amidst the statistics of tons destroyed and systems lost, the human reality of the conflict remains stark. The estimated 10 to 30 Russian logistics personnel likely killed or wounded in the depot explosion represent the hidden cost of rear-area vulnerability.
For the families of those stationed in what was supposed to be the “safe” rear, the reach of Ukraine’s SOF brings the reality of the front line uncomfortably close to home.
Winter Warfare: Starving the Russian Machine
As winter deepens, the “battle of the depots” is likely to intensify. The successful operation against the 101st Brigade serves as a blueprint for future SOF missions.
With the stated goal to “undermine the offensive potential” of the enemy, Ukrainian special forces have proven they can locate and destroy the fuel and fire that powers the Russian war machine. For the soldiers of the 51st Army, the coming weeks promise to be colder and quieter.
Sources:
Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces Strike Russian Artillery Depot in Luhansk – Pravda.com.ua
Ukrainian FP-2 Drones Hit Key Russian Logistics Node in Luhansk Region – Defence.ua
Russia Loses 1,730 Soldiers Over Past Day – Pravda.com.ua
SOF: Enemy Field Artillery Depot Hit in Luhansk Region – Interfax.com.ua
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces Deal Blow to Russian Supply Lines in Luhansk – United24media
Ukraine’s FP-2 Drones Tear Apart Russian BM-27 Uragan in Donetsk – United24media