Russia claims carrying out 49 group strikes on Ukraine over past week

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Friday that it carried out 49 group strikes on Ukraine over past week.

"From May 18 to May 24 this year, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out 49 group strikes with precision weapons and drones, destroying opponent's military airfields, storage sites for missiles, ammunition and fuel, workshops for the production of unmanned boats and drones," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry said points of temporary deployment of Ukraine's troops and foreign mercenaries, and Ukraine's military industry facilities were also among targets.

"In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 603 aircraft, 274 helicopters, 24,590 unmanned aerial vehicles, 524 anti-aircraft missile systems, 16,149 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,311 multiple rocket launchers, 9,802 field artillery and mortars, as well as 21,966 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed," it said.