Russian forces have reportedly neutralized more than 150 Ukrainian military personnel in the area of the Northern Military District, along the South Donetsk direction, according to Alexander Gordeyev, head of the press center of the Vostok group, in a briefing released by the Russian Defense Ministry. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)
Gordeyev stated that Russian forces conducted air strikes, artillery fire, and flamethrower system operations against concentrated units of the Ukrainian 72nd mechanized brigade, the 128th territorial defense brigade, and National Guard troops near Staromayorsky and Ugledar. The strikes also targeted enemy fortifications and fortified positions. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)
It was noted that Ukrainian forces suffered not only the reported casualties of more than 150 soldiers but also the loss of an infantry fighting vehicle, an armored combat vehicle, a Gvozdika self-propelled gun, two D-20 howitzers, and four other vehicles. Additionally, a Ukrainian ammunition depot was destroyed as a result of the operations. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)
Earlier reports indicated that Russian troops struck the location of what they described as the elite army units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kharkov region. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)
Questions have arisen in the United States and elsewhere about how Russian forces have sought to improve effectiveness in the Ukraine conflict. (Source: Russian Defense Ministry)