Russia says two villages captured, 1,300+ Ukrainian troops killed
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Russia’s Defense Ministry says over 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in 24 hours, as Moscow reports new territorial gains and drone interceptions.
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A church destroyed in fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces is seen from above during the celebration of the Orthodox Easter in Lukashivka village, Ukraine, on Sunday, April 20, 2025 (AP)
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that Ukrainian forces suffered more than 1,315 casualties over 24 hours in ongoing battles across multiple fronts of the special military operation zone.
Heavy losses across the battlefront
According to the Ministry’s daily briefing, Ukraine lost:
- More than 170 soldiers in the Battlegroup North’s area of responsibility
- Up to 230 in the West group zone
- Over 220 in the Battlegroup South’s sector
- More than 400 in the Battlegroup Center’s area
- Over 215 in the Battlegroup East’s zone
- More than 80 personnel in the Battlegroup Dnepr’s area.
The report added that Russian troops carried out strikes on Ukrainian ammunition depots, drone storage facilities, and temporary deployment sites for both Ukrainian forces and foreign fighters in 133 locations.
Villages reportedly captured
The Ministry also announced that units from Russia’s Battlegroup West had taken control of two settlements: Kolodezi in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Voronoye in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk Region.
Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems intercepted five guided bombs and 169 Ukrainian drones over the past day, the Ministry said.
US-Russia Ukraine peace efforts
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a one-on-one meeting during their summit in Alaska on Friday, the former revealed. Trump confirmed that the negotiations covered a wide range of issues, noting that “only one or two key points” remain unresolved.
He emphasized that reaching a final agreement in Ukraine would require the involvement of European countries, while directly suggesting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky should strike a deal with Russia.
He added that while Ukraine may or may not agree, the chances of understanding are now very close.
