Russia MoD unveils tally of 16th day of spec op in Ukraine

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Since the start of the special operation, Russian soldiers have destroyed over 3,200 Ukrainian military facilities, according to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov.

"In total, 3,213 Ukrainian military infrastructure facilities were destroyed during the operation. Including 98 aircraft, 118 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1041 tanks, and other armored combat vehicles, 113 multiple launch rocket systems, 389 field artillery guns and mortars, 843 units of special military vehicles," the Spokesperson told a briefing.

Konashenkov also stated that the Ukrainian military airfields in Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk have been put out of operation.

"On the morning of March 11, high-precision long-range weapons attacked the military infrastructure of Ukraine. Military airfields in Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk were put out of operation," the Spokesperson said.

Earlier, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that Moscow's Armed Forces are not attacking Ukrainian cities, but are instead targeting Ukraine's military infrastructure using precision weapons.

"Precision weapons are degrading military infrastructure, air defense facilities, military aerodromes, and aviation of the Ukrainian armed forces," the Ministry said, further adding that there is no threat to civilians.

DPR forces capture Volnovakha - Russian Defense Ministry

The Volnovakha city has been seized by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), according to Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Igor Konashenkov.

"Units of the Donetsk People's Republic liberated the city of Volnovakha," Konashenkov said, adding that three more settlements were captured.

The DPR soldiers have also continued to encircle Mariupol, according to Konashenkov.

Earlier, Russia's Defense Ministry announced that Russian military forces took complete control of the Ukrainian regional center of Kherson.

On his account, Russian Spokesperson said that "the city does not face shortages of food and essential goods”, adding that negotiations between the Russian command, the administration of the city, and the region are underway to address issues of maintaining the functioning of social infrastructure facilities, ensuring law and order, as well as the safety of the population.”

"LPR forces, with fire support from the Russian armed forces, are continuing successful offensive operations as they have seized control over the settlements of Starobelsk and Svatovo. Since the start of [Russia's] special military operation, the depth of advance has been 75 kilometers", Konashenkov added.

The top Russian military figure noted that DPR forces have also expanded their zone, taking control of Kalinovka, Lebedinskoye, Pionerskoye, Nikolayevka, and Osipenko. 

"DPR forces have advanced by 58 kilometers since the start of the operation," he added.