UPDATE - Russia says at least 63 troops killed by Ukrainian rocket strike in Donetsk region

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY UKRAINE, CHANGES HEADLINE, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Ukrainian rocket strike killed at least 63 Russian soldiers at a Russian deployment area in eastern Ukraine, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Monday.

The rockets were launched from six US-made Himars systems, targeting a temporary deployment area near the city of Makiivka in the Moscow-controlled part of Donetsk region, a ministry statement said, adding that Russian air defense systems had shot down two of the rockets.

"All necessary assistance and support will be provided to the relatives and friends of the fallen servicemen," the statement further said.

Late on Sunday, the Ukrainian army’s strategic communications department claimed that nearly 400 Russian soldiers were killed in strikes in Makiivka.

The statement also noted that an additional 300 Russian soldiers were wounded at varying levels of severity.

The rocket strike came after at least 22 drones were shot down over Ukraine's capital Kyiv earlier in the day, Kyiv's military administration had said.