The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Russian forces captured seven settlements in Ukraine over the past week.

The ministry stated that Alekseyevka, Andreyevka, Vodolagi, and Kondratovka in the Sumy region, along with Redkodub, Novopol, and Fedorovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, were "liberated" by Russian troops.

In addition, the ministry reported significant Ukrainian military losses since the onset of the conflict, claiming that Russian air defense systems shot down 1,390 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) last week, including 509 in non-frontline areas.

According to the statement, Ukrainian losses to date include 663 aircraft, 283 helicopters, nearly 62,000 UAVs, 610 air defense missile systems, 23,790 tanks and armored vehicles, 1,570 multi-barreled rocket launchers, 25,782 howitzers and mortars, and approximately 36,500 special military vehicles.

The announcement comes amid heightened fighting across several fronts in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have yet to comment on the status of the settlements mentioned in the Russian statement. However, the Sumy region, which borders Russia, has seen increased hostilities in recent weeks, raising concerns of a renewed push by Russian forces in northern Ukraine.

International observers continue to warn of the intensifying humanitarian toll of the conflict, now in its third year, with civilian areas and infrastructure repeatedly targeted in ongoing military operations. (ILKHA)