Moscow claims 244 Ukrainian drones downed, gains on multiple fronts

The Russian Ministry of Defence has reported significant battlefield gains by its forces across several sectors of the frontline, claiming heavy losses inflicted on Ukrainian units and substantial damage to military infrastructure.

According to the ministry’s daily update, in the air, Russian air defences downed seven guided bombs and 244 fixed-wing drones, Caliber.Az reports.

The Black Sea Fleet also claimed to have destroyed two unmanned surface vessels in the southwestern sector of the sea.

Units from Russia’s “Centre” group of forces advanced to more favourable positions and inflicted losses on multiple Ukrainian formations, including three mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, a National Guard brigade, and units specialising in drone warfare.

The engagements reportedly occurred near the settlements of Artemivka, Dymytriv, Krasnoarmiysk, Rubizhne, Udachne, and Yalta in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), as well as Novopavlivka and Filiya in Dnipropetrovsk Region.

Ukrainian losses in this sector were estimated at over 360 personnel, along with one tank, two US-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, two additional armoured vehicles, four trucks, a D-20 152mm howitzer, and an ammunition depot.

Simultaneously, the “East” grouping of Russian forces reportedly pushed deeper into Ukrainian defences, striking manpower and equipment belonging to three mechanised brigades, a mountain assault brigade, two territorial defence units, and a National Guard formation.

These operations targeted areas around Novoivanivka, Novonikolayevka, Olhivske, Poltavka, and Temyrivka in Zaporizhzhia Region, as well as Velykomykhailivka in Dnipropetrovsk Region and the DPR settlements of Oleksandrohrod and Iskra. Ukraine is said to have lost over 210 troops, a tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and eight vehicles.

Further south, Russia’s “Dnepr” forces reportedly struck Ukrainian territorial defence and coastal defence brigades near the settlements of Darivka and Lvivove in Kherson Region and Stepnohirsk in Zaporizhzhia Region.

The Russian military claims up to 65 Ukrainian troops were killed, alongside the destruction of three vehicles, two field artillery systems, a counter-battery radar, five electronic warfare stations, and four depots storing ammunition and technical supplies.

Russian tactical aviation, drones, missile forces, and artillery also targeted gas infrastructure linked to Ukraine’s defence industry, long-range UAV storage sites, and the temporary positions of Ukrainian troops and foreign fighters in 142 locations.

Since the beginning of its full-scale operation, Russia claims to have destroyed 664 aircraft, 283 helicopters, and nearly 75,000 drones, along with tens of thousands of other military assets.

By Aghakazim Guliyev