Veterans of the Russian partisan movement recently founded an initiative called DIRECT ACTION—an overarching, horizontally structured space for everyone who wants to act against the current Russian regime. They are introducing themselves with an action in occupied Stakhanov.

DIRECT ACTION: Our partisan used modern technology—a drone—to destroy a military vehicle. Stakhanov in the occupied Luhansk region.

The action was announced in advance (confirmed, editor’s note):

“A partisan from the Direct Action movement, who was trained as part of Direct Action’s ‘Kolibri’ drone project, will destroy a Lada Niva vehicle in the city of Stakhanov in the Luhansk region, which Putin’s regime uses to eliminate its own citizens. The action will be carried out between July 21 and 25 using a drone.”

Regarding the footage we can publish—a video showing ‘something’ burning from a distance—and the results of the action in the form of a photograph of a car burned by a drone strike. It is covered by a net, and the consequences of the fire are visible on the ground—pieces of plastic and the translucent netting that the military placed over the burned car.

Because we prioritize the safety of the partisans, sometimes, when the situation requires it, we prefer to forgo providing evidence of ‘fire’ to our audience. Every action is a heroic deed on the part of the partisan and requires responsible preparation by both the partisan and the organizers.