Russia claims it took control of Ukrainian settlement of Rozdolivka

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian army's Southern Group of Forces has taken over the Rozdolivka settlement in the Donetsk region, the Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"The units of the Southern Group of Forces liberated the settlement of Rozdolivka of the Donetsk People's Republic and occupied more advantageous positions," the ministry said in a statement.

It claimed that the manpower and equipment of three mechanized, two airmobile and two airborne assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed in the battle.

According to the ministry, since the beginning of the "special military operation" in Feb. 2022, a total of 615 aircraft, 276 helicopters, 26,777 unmanned aerial vehicles, 533 anti-aircraft missile systems, 16,446 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,357 multiple rocket launchers, 11,020 field artillery and mortars, as well as 23,049 military vehicles have been destroyed.