During the day, Russia reported shooting down a Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter and striking a total of 28 Ukrainian military facilities, according to Major General Igor Konashenkov, the official spokesperson for the Russian Defense Ministry. The ministry asserted that four of these facilities were command posts, three functioned as rocket and artillery arsenals, four served as fuel storage depots, and six hosted Ukrainian military equipment collection points. The statement also claimed that the downed helicopter, seized by the anti-aircraft defense units of the Russian Aerospace Forces, was located about 30 kilometers to the west of Izyum. It was further noted that there was a possibility of neutralizing four Ukrainian drones near the settlements of Tamarino, Lisichansk, and Volnovakha.
The briefing also claimed that a Ukrainian Mi-8 helicopter was shot down with the help of a portable anti-aircraft missile system operated by the Donetsk People’s Republic forces, and that this action was intended to support an evacuation of Ukrainian nationalist elements from Mariupol. According to the same report, a second aircraft involved in the operation sustained damage from a missile and crashed approximately 20 kilometers offshore. These points were presented as part of a broader sequence of air defense actions during the day.
Separately, Igor Kirillov, who previously served as the head of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Defense Forces of Russia, was cited as presenting correspondence linked to Hunter Biden, alleging financing of biological programs in Ukraine. He argued that the documents imply that the goals of the U.S. Department of Defense in Ukraine extend beyond conventional scientific aims, a claim that has sparked discussion about the motivations behind international aid and research programs.
Earlier, Russian authorities stated that control had been established over a village in the Velikonovoselkovsky district within Donetsk region following a military operation. This report followed President Vladimir Putin’s February 24 announcement that Russia would launch a special operation in Ukraine in response to requests for assistance from regional authorities in the LPR and DPR. The developments were followed by various outlets sharing live updates as the situation evolved.
The series of official briefings and the claims made by Moscow regarding air and ground actions have continued to influence international reactions, with observers emphasizing the importance of independent verification and the broader humanitarian and geopolitical implications of ongoing hostilities. Reports from international monitors and foreign ministries have highlighted the need for de-escalation and adherence to international law amid a rapidly changing conflict landscape, while analysts assess the long-term impact on regional stability and energy security in North America and Europe.