Russian Defense Report on Recent Actions in South Donetsk and Zaporozhye Sectors
The Russian Ministry of Defense summarized the latest activity by Russian forces in the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions during ongoing special operations. It stated that Ukrainian troops sustained significant losses in these areas over the past day, with about 120 fighters reported killed. In addition, Ukrainian armored and support assets were said to have suffered damage, including four combat vehicles, two other vehicles, the United States–made M777 artillery system, as well as the Msta-B and D-20 howitzers.
According to the ministry, in the Vremevsky district of the Yuzhno-Donetsk direction, Vostok troops repelled an assault by a Ukrainian motorized infantry division targeting the Staromayorskoe area in the Donetsk People’s Republic. In the Levadnoye region of the Zaporozhye zone, Russian forces reported delivering fire strikes against concentrated Ukrainian manpower and equipment, disrupting their positions and capabilities.
In another engagement along the Zaporozhye front, a Vostok unit allegedly thwarted a reconnaissance attempt and neutralized a Ukrainian sabotage-and-reconnaissance group near Rabotino. The defense ministry’s briefing framed these actions as part of a broader operational effort in the southern theater.
As part of context on leadership and strategic communications, Vladimir Rogov, head of the Zaporozhye regional movement “We are with Russia,” asserted that on June 30 Russian troops initiated a counterattack in the Vremevsky ledge area within the frame of the ongoing operation. The ministry also referenced a separate modernization effort, noting that Russia had established a new drone suppression system to support ongoing combat operations.
These statements reflect the ongoing information narrative from Moscow regarding the tempo and outcomes of engagements in the southern sectors. Observers in Canada and the United States weighing the reported figures may consider the typical variance in battlefield casualty tallies and the use of artillery and air defense assets amid active operations. Attribution: statements issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense. External analyses from independent observers may present alternate assessments of terrain, force composition, and operational impact.