MOSCOW. Sept 18 (Interfax) - The Russian Armed Forces have repelled four attempts by the Ukrainian army to break through the Russian border towards two communities in the Kursk region, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Russian forces, "backed by army aviation and artillery fire, repelled four attempts by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to break through the Russian Federation's border in the direction of Vesyoloye and Medvezhye," it said.
The enemy's losses included up to 70 troops killed or wounded, two tanks including one Leopard, two infantry fighting vehicles, eight armored fighting vehicles, an artillery gun and an automobile, it said.
"Units of the northern group of forces have continued their offensive operations, carrying out strikes on units of the Ukrainian 22nd, 4th and 115th Mechanized Brigades, 17th Tank Brigade, 82nd Air Assault Brigade and the 1st National Guard Brigade, as well as the 129th Territorial Defense Brigade near Lyubomovka, Daryino, Nikolo-Daryino, Tolsty Lug and Plekhovo," it said.
In addition, four Ukrainian counterattacks were repelled near Bolshaya Obukhovka, Malaya Loknya and Lyubimovka, it said. Attempted enemy attacks on Olgovka and Borki were also thwarted.
"As a result, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 40 troops killed or wounded, and eight troops were taken captive. Two infantry fighting vehicles, two armored fighting vehicles and an automobile were destroyed," it said.