By Elena Teslova
MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Thursday that Russian forces took over another settlement in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
The ministry said the settlement of Yasna Polyana fell under Russia's control as a result of an operation carried out by its Vostok (East) group of forces.
Other Russian units improved their positions, destroying and taking Western-made weapons and military equipment as trophies, the ministry reported.
"In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 647 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 34,945 drones, 584 air defense systems, 18,927 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,482 multiple rocket launchers, 17,059 field artillery and mortars, 27,781 special military vehicles have been destroyed," it said.
Ukraine has yet to comment on Russia's claims, and independent verification is challenging due to ongoing combat activities.