Russia says captured Chigari village in Donetsk

By Dmitri Chirciu

MOSCOW (AA) – Russia on Sunday said it took control of the village of Chigari in Donetsk, as its forces advance in the eastern region.

"Units of the Central Military Group liberated the settlement of Chigari in the Donetsk People's Republic and improved their tactical positions on the front," the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Some 31 drones belonging to the Ukrainian army were shot down, the ministry said.

"Since the beginning of the military operation, Russian forces have destroyed 626 aircraft, 277 helicopters, 27,314 UAVs, 540 air defense missile systems, 16,521 tanks and armored vehicles, 1,366 multiple rocket launchers, 11,516 howitzers and mortars, and 23,410 special military vehicles belonging to the Ukrainian army,” according to the statement.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz