Moscow (Agencies): Russian forces have taken control of two settlements in Ukraine, further advancing their military operations in the region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Monday.
According to the ministry, Russian troops seized Novoolenovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Maryino in the Sumy Region. The latest territorial gains come amid intensified fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces.
In a separate development, a failed Ukrainian assault on Belovody in the Sumy Region resulted in hundreds of casualties among Ukrainian troops from the 67th separate mechanized brigade, with dozens reportedly captured, according to military sources.
The announcement follows Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok securing the settlement of Bogatyr in the DPR a day earlier. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov praised the 36th independent guards motorized rifle brigade for their role in liberating Bogatyr, commending their professionalism.
In recognition of recent battlefield successes, over 3,800 Russian servicemen have been honored with state awards, while two soldiers have received the prestigious Hero of the Russian Federation title.
The Russian Defense Ministry also reported significant losses for Ukrainian forces across multiple battlefronts:
- Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated up to 455 Ukrainian soldiers in the past day.
- Battlegroup Zapad neutralized over 230 Ukrainian servicepeople.
- Battlegroup Yug eliminated over 210 Ukrainian troops.
- Battlegroup Vostok destroyed over 150 troops, four vehicles, two field artillery guns, two electronic warfare stations, and an ammunition depot.
- Battlegroup Sever eliminated up to 140 Ukrainian soldiers, along with a tank, two combat armored vehicles, nine vehicles, five field artillery guns, and an electronic warfare station.
- Battlegroup Dnepr engaged Ukrainian forces, resulting in 30 casualties, along with the destruction of a motor vehicle and three ammunition warehouses.
Additionally, Russian air defense forces reportedly destroyed 127 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and five Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) bombs over the past day.
The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with both sides engaged in fierce battles across multiple regions. Ukraine has yet to officially respond to the latest developments.