MOSCOW. May 17 (Interfax) - Units of Russia's northern group of forces have taken control of 12 populated areas in the Kharkov region over the past week and are continuing to move forward into Ukrainian defensive lines, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"Owing to active moves over the past week, units of the northern group of forces have liberated 12 populated areas in the Kharkov region, i.e. Borisovka, Bugrovatka, Gatishche, Glubokoye, Krasnoye, Lukyantsy, Morokhovets, Ogurtsovo, Oleinikovo, Pletenevka, Pylnaya, and Strelechya, and continue moving forward into the enemy's defensive lines," it said.
Russian forces caused damage to personnel and hardware of five Ukrainian Armed Forces brigades, four Territorial Defense brigades, and the 15th Border Detail near Veseloye, Volchansk, Dergachi, Neskuchnoye, Krasnoye, and Liptsy in the Kharkov region and repelled 21 counterattacks by Ukrainian Armed Forces assault groups near Glubokoye, Tikhoye, and Staritsa in the Kharkov region, it said.
Ukraine's losses in said sector amounted to up to 1,175 troops, ten tanks, 14 armored fighting vehicles, 45 automobiles, 13 vehicles of multiple rocket launchers, including six Vampire systems, 26 field artillery pieces, and five vehicles of Buk and Strela-10 air defense missile systems, the ministry said.