MOSCOW

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on Wednesday that its forces have taken control of two Ukrainian settlements, including Novokalynove in the Donetsk region and Kyslivka in the Kharkiv region.

"The units of the Center group of forces completely liberated the settlement of Novokalynove... The units of the Zapad group of forces improved their position along the front line as a result of active actions. They also completely liberated the settlement of Kyslivka, located in Kharkiv region," the ministry said in a statement.

Over the past day, Russian air defense systems have also shot down a US-made ATACMS tactical missile, three French-made guided Hammer bombs, and 11 Ukrainian drones, it added.

According to the ministry, since the special military operation began, 594 aircraft, 270 helicopters, 23,828 unmanned aerial vehicles, 512 anti-aircraft missile systems, 15,950 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,280 multiple rocket launchers, 9,385 field artillery and mortars, as well as 21,548 units of military vehicles have been destroyed.