Russian Su-25 warplanes reportedly hit a Ukrainian stronghold in the Avdiivka direction, according to statements released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on its Telegram channel. The report describes the operation as part of paired aerial missions, with pilots sweeping over the terrain at speeds around 900 kilometers per hour as they closed in on the contact line. The ministry specifies that the strikes employed 80 millimeter unguided S-8 missiles, suggesting a focused use of conventional air-to-ground munitions during the maneuver. The account emphasizes that the engagement took place along the contested frontline, highlighting the pace and proximity of the aircraft to the combat zone as a characteristic of the mission. The description aims to convey a precise moment in the ongoing military activity around Avdiivka, underscoring the tempo of operations and the execution of the sortie.
In a separate summary, the Russian defense authorities claim that air defense systems intercepted a number of weapons and projectiles directed at Russian-controlled or adjacent areas over the past week. The ministry reports the destruction of two Storm Shadow missiles, four JDAM bombs, 35 HIMARS projectiles, and 639 unmanned aerial vehicles associated with Ukrainian forces within a seven-day period. The figures are presented as evidence of defensive successes alongside the offensive actions, painting a broader picture of the ongoing contest over airspace and targeting accuracy. The emphasis on these interceptions serves to illustrate the evolving balance between Ukrainian long-range strike capabilities and Russian countermeasures as the conflict progresses.
The ministry also provides a casualty and loss tally from the Donetsk direction for the previous week, noting that Ukrainian forces suffered more than 2,800 personnel killed or wounded, along with losses of 7 tanks, 16 armored fighting vehicles, and 24 artillery systems. Such figures are framed as indicators of the toll of sustained combat operations in the region, reflecting ongoing battles that shape control of frontline areas. This summary complements the daily operational narrative by offering a quantifiable measure of intensity and material attrition reported by Russian authorities.
The brief also mentions that Russian troops reportedly repelled three Ukrainian assaults in the Rabotino area, presenting a snapshot of tactical engagements and counteractions along a key sector. While the official statements focus on successful repulsion and defensive posture, the language used aims to convey resolve and readiness of the Russian forces in the face of continued Ukrainian activity. The aggregation of these reports—air operations, intercepts, casualties, and local counteractions—constitutes part of a broader portrayal of the evolving battlefield dynamics around Avdiivka and adjacent zones within the Donetsk region.
Overall, the communications from the Russian defense ministry reflect a narrative that blends operational detail with strategic messaging. By pairing descriptions of air sorties, weapon usage, and defensive successes with casualty and equipment loss figures, the communications seek to reinforce perceptions of control and effectiveness on the ground and in the air. For readers tracking the conflict, these updates offer a recurring, if contested, frame for understanding how frontline activities and support functions are coordinating in the ongoing struggle for supremacy in eastern Ukraine.