By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Saturday that its forces took over another settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
The ministry stated that the village of Zoryane is now under Russia's control, noting that this marks the sixth captured settlement this week.
The operation was carried out by the Southern group of forces, while other Russian units improved their positions, destroying and taking Western-made weapons and military equipment as trophies, the military service reported.
"In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 646 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 33,824 drones, 582 air defense systems, 18,735 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,477 multiple rocket launchers, 16,372 field artillery and mortar guns, and 27,407 special military vehicles have been destroyed," it said.
Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia's claims; independent verification is challenging due to ongoing combat activities.