MOSCOW. Jan 10 (Interfax) - Russian forces have thwarted 16 Ukrainian attempts to regain the tactical position since taking control of Kurakhovo, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday.
"Detachments of eight mechanized brigades, two motorized infantry brigades, an infantry brigade, a mountain assault brigade, and two airmobile brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as two territorial defense brigades were stuck. Sixteen attempts of the enemy to regain the tactical position were thwarted," the ministry said.
The Ukrainian army has been trying to regain the tactical position since the Russian southern group of forces took control of Kurakhovo, it said.
In the southern group of forces' zone of operations, the Ukrainian army lost up to 1,715 troops, three tanks, 12 armored combat vehicles, 17 trucks, and 20 artillery systems, including four made in the West, over the past week. Six ammo depots were destroyed, the ministry said.
"Units from the eastern group of forces improved their frontlines and hit detachments of three mechanized brigades and two air assault brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in addition to a marine brigade and three territorial defense brigades. Eight attempts of the enemy to regain lost positions were thwarted. The enemy lost more than 1,120 troops, a tank, six armored combat vehicles, including three U.S.-made MaxxPro, 30 trucks, and 26 artillery systems, including eight made in NATO member states. Six ammo depots were destroyed," it said.
Units from the Dnepr group of forces hit troops and hardware of two mechanized brigade, two infantry brigades, and a coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in addition to two territorial defense brigades, and a National Guard brigade, the ministry said.
In this sector, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 685 troops, two armored combat vehicles, 44 trucks, 11 artillery systems, five EW stations, and six ammo depots, it said.