Russian defense minister visits battle zone in Ukraine

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov inspected Russian army positions in the battle zone in Ukraine on Friday, the Defense Ministry said.

According to a ministry statement, Belousov visited the deployment site of the Russian Southern Group of Forces, where he inspected a forward command post and received reports from staff officers on the current situation and enemy activities in the area of operations.

The ministry said the group’s commander-in-chief, Col. Gen. Alexander Sanchik, informed Belousov that the settlement of Dronivka in the Donetsk region had come under Russian control.

Sanchik also briefed the minister on the implementation of his previous orders.

During the visit, it was emphasized that all units within the grouping are equipped with specialized workshops for the assembly, restoration, and modernization of robotic equipment.

In October alone, universal ground-based robotic platforms transported more than 1.5 tons of cargo to frontline positions, the ministry noted.

Specialists from the Southern Group also presented the minister with a ground robotic platform designed to deliver multiple strike FPV drones and a reconnaissance drone.

At the conclusion of his visit, Belousov awarded state decorations to servicemen who had distinguished themselves.