By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Friday that its forces have captured two settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region.
The ministry said in a statement that the villages of Zelene Pole and Dachne fell under Russia's control following an operation carried out by the Tsentr (Center) group of forces.
Russian forces also carried out 14 strikes over the past week with precision weapons and drones, targeting Ukraine's military infrastructure as well as facilities that supply energy to the military-industrial complex, it added.
Since the start of the conflict, Russia says it has destroyed 653 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 43,342 drones, 594 air defense systems, 21,450 tanks and other armored vehicles, 1,517 multiple rocket launchers, 21,721 artillery and mortars, and 31,674 military transport vehicles.
Ukraine has yet to comment on these claims, and independent verification remains difficult due to the ongoing conflict.