Russian troops have taken control of Zolotoy Kolodez and Verolyubovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

Verolyubovka was captured by units of the Southern Group of Forces. As Russian troops advanced, they struck personnel and equipment belonging to four mechanized, two airmobile, two motorized infantry and one mountain assault brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as marine and territorial defense formations.

According to the Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces lost more than 1,240 servicemen in the Southern Group’s area of responsibility over the week. Six armored combat vehicles, 141 motor vehicles and ten field artillery guns were also destroyed.

On the sector held by the Center Group of Forces, Russian units captured Zolotoy Kolodez during offensive operations. Strikes targeted formations from four mechanized brigades, an airborne brigade, an assault regiment, three marine brigades, a special forces brigade and five National Guard brigades.

Ukrainian losses on this front exceeded 2,865 servicemen, the ministry said. Seventeen armored combat vehicles, 83 motor vehicles, five field artillery guns and five electronic warfare stations were also destroyed.

The Defense Ministry also released air defense figures for September 12–18. Russian air defenses shot down 44 guided aerial bombs, eight US-made HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles, two long-range guided Neptune missiles and 5,706 fixed-wing drones during that period.

Since the start of the special military operation, the ministry said 674 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 239,109 drones and 672 surface-to-air missile systems have been destroyed. Its cumulative figures also include 30,944 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,778 multiple-launch rocket system vehicles, 36,483 field artillery guns and mortars, and 72,194 special military vehicles.