Ukraine’s mountain unit ‘The Transcarpathian Beavers’ has seized a Russian commander’s secret notebook and other trophies after beating back invading troops.

The Transcarpathian Legion of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, a formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, shared footage of well-camouflaged soldiers on 10th May with the message: “Hairy Devils!”

On 15th May, the Legion posted images of a burning Russian battery in a field after being attacked by their ‘Transcarpathian Beavers’.

The Legion said: “The mortar section of the Russian Army burns after the accurate work of the engineering and sapper unit of the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade.”

In a statement the same day, the Ukrainian legion said: “BMP-3 tank, weapons, ammunition and personal belongings – the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade captured trophies from the Russians of North Ossetia.

“The 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, in cooperation with other units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, continues to beat back the Russians and liberate Ukrainian lands.

“Under the pressure of our attack, the Russians shamefully fled their positions, throwing away a practically unused BMP-3 tank with full combat equipment, documents, personal belongings, and weapons (grenade launchers, mines, guns).

“According to the documents, they were Russian soldiers of the military unit 43057 based in North Ossetia–Alania, the city of Vladikavkaz, and the village of Sputnik.”

The Ukrainian brigade said they found the unit commander’s notebook giving information on names of top officers and personnel of various Russian units taking part in the ongoing invasion. Defending forces hope the information will help them mount an effective defence.

Russian troops invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 82nd day of the campaign.

From 24th February to 16th May, the total combat losses of Russian troops stand at around 27,700 personnel, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military also claims that Russia has lost 1,228 tanks, 2,974 armoured fighting vehicles, 577 artillery systems, 195 multiple launch rocket systems, 89 anti-aircraft systems, 200 warplanes, 165 helicopters, 2,101 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, 13 vessels, 427 unmanned aerial vehicles, 42 units of special equipment, and 97 cruise missiles.

The update comes as Ukrainian officials say troops counter-attacking near Kharkiv in north-eastern Ukraine have reached the Russian border.

The symbolic moment comes as Russian forces focus their efforts on the eastern Donbas region and southern Ukraine.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the Russian invasion is not going to plan and that Ukraine can win the war.