Moscow:The Russian Ministry of Defense has announced the successful capture of two towns as part of its ongoing special military operation. The towns of Elisovka in the Kharkiv region and Barilovka in the Sumy region have been liberated by Russian forces, who have also shot down a total of 617 Ukrainian drones.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that the ‘North’ group of forces was responsible for liberating the towns. Additionally, the ‘West’ group of forces improved their positions along the front line and targeted enemy forces in various areas within the Kharkiv region and the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The statement highlighted Ukrainian losses, noting that 240 military personnel, an armored combat vehicle, 15 other vehicles, two field artillery pieces, a combat vehicle equipped with a ‘Grad’ multiple-launch rocket system, and six electronic warfare stations were destroyed. The Russian ‘Center’ group of forces inflicted further losses on the Ukrainian Armed Forces, amounting to 335 soldiers, armored combat vehicles, several field artillery pieces, and two electronic warfare stations.

Moreover, the ‘East’ (Vostok) force group continued to advance deep into enemy defenses, targeting formations of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Zaporizhzhia region. Ukrainian losses in this area included over 215 military personnel, two armored combat vehicles, several other vehicles, and multiple field artillery pieces. The Russian air defense systems also shot down 617 Ukrainian drones and two Neptune missiles.