MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) - Russia's eastern group of forces is containing the Ukrainian offensive in the southern Donetsk sector, group spokesman Oleg Chekhov said on Wednesday.
"In the southern Donetsk sector, forward units of the eastern group of forces, supported by artillery and aviation, are firing at the enemy, which is trying to conduct active operations. The enemy's offensive is being successfully contained," Chekhov said.
Air defense crews of motorized infantry detachments have downed a Ukrainian Mil Mi-24 helicopter in that area, he said.
Osa and Tor air defense missile systems have downed six Ukrainian Furia drones in addition to one Valkyrie UAV, Chekhov said.
"Howitzers hit strongholds in Nesteryanka, Kamenskoye and Novoandreyevka in the Zaporozhye sector," he said.
"Air defense crews downed a Sukhoi Su-25 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force north of Energodar," Chekhov said.
Russian forces destroyed enemy troops at a temporary base near Malye Shcherbaki, he said.
"A U.S.-made M777 howitzer was detected and destroyed by artillery in the vicinity of Novoandreyevka," Chekhov said.
Russian Tor and Strela-10 air defense missile systems downed two Ukrainian drones, a Furia and a Leleka, in the Zaporozhye sector.