Ukrainian special unit destroys Russian drone operator training center, military intelligence says

On October 15, Ukrainian military intelligence reported that special forces from the HUR unit "Shamanbat" and the 426th Separate Unmanned Systems Regiment carried out a nighttime operation against a Russian training center for drone operators in Khorly, situated in the occupied Kherson Oblast of Ukraine. The unit targeted the training facility of Russia's 18th Combined Arms Army, as well as the residence of Russian officers responsible for training sabotage groups within the 18th Army.

According to the intelligence agency, the operation was entirely successful in destroying the training center.

The Russian 18th Combined Arms Army was established in August 2022, as reported by the U.K. defense ministry. The objective of this formation was to free up more experienced forces for operations on key fronts in Ukraine. This army likely represents a consolidation and strengthening of various units operating in Kherson Oblast, including the 22nd Army Corps. Typically, this corps serves as the Russian garrison in the Russian-occupied Crimea.