Russia claims taking under control 6 Ukrainian settlements

MOSCOW

The Russian army took under control six Ukrainian settlements, the Defense Ministry claimed on Saturday.

The Russian group of forces Tsentr (Center) took over the settlement of Keramik in Donetsk region, while Sever (North) group controlled Borysivka, Ogirtseve, Pletenivka, Pilna, and Strilecha in Kharkiv region, the ministry said in a statement.

Over 14 Ukrainian counteroffensive attacks were repelled over the past week, the ministry said, adding that it took 34 Ukrainian soldiers as war prisoners.

Forces also managed to destroy a US-made Patriot air defense system, three German Leopard tanks, a Czech-made multiple rocket launcher Vampire, a French self-propelled howitzer Caesar, three Polish self-propelled howitzers Krab, as well as a number of other heavy military equipment, the ministry said.

"By means of air defense, 46 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, an ATACMS tactical missile made in the US, eight guided aircraft bombs Hammer made in France, 43 rockets HIMARS made in the US, Vampire of the Czech production and Olkha were shot down," it said.

According to the ministry, in total, since the beginning of the "special military operation" in February 2022, 594 aircraft, 270 helicopters, 23,951 drones, 515 anti-aircraft missile systems, 15,981 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,286 multiple rocket launchers, 9,494 field artillery and mortars, as well as 21,600 military vehicles have been destroyed.