Brave Ukrainian pensioners defy Putin as they help flush out Russian saboteurs

Ukrainian pensioners helped a drone identify a house in which two Russian soldiers were hiding. Russia's army has sent saboteurs to infiltrate the eastern city of Pokrovsk in a cunning change of tactics.

The city is a key logistical hub on the eastern front and has come under intense Russian attacks, as Putin's army strives for a major breakthrough. The Russians are sending groups of between three to four saboteurs into the city, who then occupy abandoned homes, ditch their uniforms and don whatever civilian clothes they can find. The saboteurs carry out attacks on Ukrainian infantry groups and light-armoured vehicles, as well as disrupt logistics.

They also spread disinformation among the local residents, trying to break their morale and persuade them the situation is hopeless.

A photograph shared in a group chat among Ukrainian troops from the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade shows two men dressed in civilian clothing walking out of a house in the city. "Watch out, these are Russians," the message reads, in a warning to other members of the unit, charged with keeping Putin's army at bay.

Local civilians are helping their soldiers locate and track down the Russians, including pensioners.

A video posted to social media channels shows two elderly residents directing a Ukrainian drone towards a house where Russian soldiers were hiding. First a man points to a neighbouring house, before a woman opens the gates to the premises as the drone zeroes in on its target.

The kamikaze drone then smashes into the building, presumably killing its Russian occupants in the process.

Illia Petryna, a deputy commander, told the Telegraph that the first wave of saboteurs first appeared in mid-July. He claims that at least 28 Russian soldiers were identified in the latter half of last month.

Pokrovsk has seen some of the heaviest fighting of the war, as battles continue to rage around the city.

In what could be a major blow for Kyiv, Putin's army is reported to have driven through exposed defences near Dobropillia in Donetsk in recent days, marching as far as six miles behind the front line in just 48 hours.

Their aim is to cut off Pokrovsk and the city of Kramatorsk, another vital stronghold in the Donbas still under Ukraine's control.