The Russian forces released eight settlements in a number of frontline areas in the course of the week starting January 31 to February 6 as a part of the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine, which the Russian Defence Ministry announced on Friday. The newly seized territories are in the Kharkiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia Regions and the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The ministry said that Battlegroup North, using active offensive operations, occupied the settlement of Zelyonoye in the Kharkiv Region during the week and occupied Popovka in the Sumy Region on February 5. In the meantime, the officials mentioned that the decisive actions of the Battlegroup South liberated Stepanovka of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

The Battlegroup Centre kept on moving and conquered Toretskoye and Sukhetskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Battlegroup East, which is based in the Zaporizhzhia Region, is also said to have advanced deeper into Ukrainian defences and seized Staroukrainka, Petrovka and Pridorozhnoye.

Massive and Combined Attacks on Ukrainian Military Infrastructure

Throughout the coverage period, Russian forces conducted a single massive strike and five mixed strikes on Ukrainian troops and infrastructure. The Defence Ministry said that the operations were carried out in accordance with the Ukrainian strikes on civilian facilities on Russian territory.

The attacks were directed at the facilities of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, energy infrastructure, and transport infrastructure that assisted in the upcoming military action of Ukraine. There were also reported attacks on ammunition depots, drone factories and warehouses, and temporary bases of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries.

Losses of Casualties and Equipment on Frontlines

The ministry was giving out exact numbers of Ukrainian casualties in various sectors of the front.

It is reported that Battlegroup North caused more than 1,415 casualties during the week. The Ukrainian forces in this sector were reported to have lost a tank, two armoured combat vehicles, 78 motor vehicles, nine artillery guns and four US-made HIMARS rocket launchers. The Russian troops also swept three electronic warfare and counterbattery radar systems, as well as 33 ammunition and materiel depots.

According to Battlegroup West, the Ukrainian casualties were more than 1,180. Besides the loss of manpower, the Ukrainian army reportedly lost one tank, 14 armoured combat vehicles, 105 motor cars and 15 field artillery guns. In this region, Russian troops demolished 29 ammunition and materiel depots as well.

Over 1,050 Ukrainians were alleged to have been killed by Battlegroup South. The loss of equipment was estimated to comprise five tanks, 19 armoured combat vehicles (five of which were foreign-made), 105 motor vehicles and 16 artillery guns. The Russian troops also eliminated five electronic warfare radar stations and counterbattery radar stations, 27 ammunition, fuel and materiel depots.

The highest number of casualties was reported by Battlegroup Centre, according to which Ukrainian troops lost over 2,560 people. This sector lost equipment comprising one tank, 35 armoured combat vehicles, 81 motor vehicles, and 13 artillery guns.

The ministry reported a casualty of more than 2,545 by Battlegroup East. This week, Ukrainian forces in this area lost three tanks, 36 armoured combat vehicles, 96 motor vehicles and six artillery guns, allegedly.

Battlegroup Dnepr also reported about 330 Ukrainian casualties in the Dnepr direction. In this sector, there was a 1 armoured combat vehicle, 62 motor vehicles, 8 artillery guns and Buk surface-to-air missile launcher losses. In this region, Russian troops also destroyed 12 electronic warfare radars, counterbattery radars and 6 materiel depots.

Increased Air Defence Operation

The Russian air defence also operated during the week. The ministry claimed to have blocked and shot down 1,080 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and 63 HIMARS rockets.

Also, 23 guided aerial bombs and four Neptune missiles were allegedly shot down by the air defences.

The aggregate Figures since the inception of Operation

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, since the start of the special military operation, its troops have already eliminated more than 670 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 283 helicopters, and over 112,700 unmanned aerial vehicles.

The ministry also indicated the destruction of 650 surface-to-air missiles, more than 27,500 tanks and other armoured combat vehicles, 1,659 multiple rocket launchers, more than 33,100 field artillery guns and mortars and almost 53,800 special military vehicles.

Recent reports indicate that the battle has remained intense on many front lines with Russian troops recording ground gains and consistent attacks on Ukrainian military facilities in the last week.