Moscow: The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that its forces have successfully taken control of the towns of Maksimovka and Antonovka in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. This development marks a significant advance in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Ministry disclosed in a statement that Russian air defenses successfully intercepted 23 drones, a MiG-29 aircraft, eight guided bombs, and 74 missiles. In the Maksimovka area, Ukrainian forces reportedly suffered losses amounting to approximately 125 soldiers, either dead or wounded, along with the destruction of a tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored combat vehicles, four vehicles, and several field guns.

The statement further detailed that on the Antonovka axis, Ukrainian forces experienced losses of about 645 soldiers, either dead or wounded. Additionally, Russian forces destroyed an infantry fighting vehicle, six vehicles, multiple guns, two “Enclave-N” electronic warfa
re stations, and an ammunition depot. The Russian “Center” group forces continue their advance, targeting Ukrainian infantry brigades in various parts of Donetsk and repelling six counterattacks from Ukrainian forces, which resulted in approximately 510 soldiers being killed or wounded and further destruction of Ukrainian military equipment.