By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Thursday that units from the Russian Southern Group have taken control of the settlement of Nelepovka in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
Russia also launched a coordinated strike overnight against Ukrainian military-industrial complex enterprises and military airbases using long-range, air-based high-precision weaponry, including the Kinzhal hypersonic missile and drones, the ministry said in a statement.
"The strike's objectives have been achieved; all designated targets have been hit," it added.
The ministry also claimed that the Ukrainian Navy's medium reconnaissance ship Simferopol was sunk at the mouth of the Danube River after being struck by a high-speed Russian unmanned boat.
Air defense systems shot down a Ukrainian Air Force Su-27 fighter jet, two guided aerial bombs, two rocket projectiles from the US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 192 fixed-wing drones, according to the statement.
Ukraine has yet to respond to Russia's claims, and independent verification is challenging due to the ongoing conflict.