Russian forces capture four areas in DPR, report key Ukrainian losses
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The Russian military credited “active actions” by its units for the liberation of several areas, emphasizing continued momentum on the eastern front.
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In this photo taken from video distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Friday, April 18, 2025, the Russian BM-21 Grad self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher fires toward Ukrainian positions in Ukraine. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)
Russia's military has reported significant battlefield advances and major Ukrainian losses across several regions, including taking over key areas in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). The announcement comes as the deadline for the temporary halt on strikes against energy infrastructure comes to an end.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday that its Yug (South) group of forces had taken control of Valentynivka and Kalinovo, two settlements in the Donetsk region. The military credited “active actions” by its units for the liberation of both areas, emphasizing continued momentum on the eastern front.
These developments are part of broader territorial gains across Donetsk, as Russia pushes to consolidate its hold over contested regions.
Thousands of Ukrainian troops were killed, captured, or surrendered
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine suffered over 1,020 casualties in battles against Russia’s Vostok (East) group in the past week, along with the loss of a tank and multiple armored vehicles. Meanwhile, Russia’s Yug group reportedly eliminated more than 2,170 Ukrainian personnel.
The Tsentr (Center) group also claimed to have taken control of Yelizovetovka and Preobrazhenka in Donetsk, with over 2,680 Ukrainian troops reportedly killed.
In the north, the Sever (North) group claimed over 1,900 Ukrainian casualties, while the Zapad (West) group reported eliminating more than 1,730 soldiers.
The Dnepr (Dnipro) group of forces announced it had “taken more favorable lines and positions,” destroying three mechanized assault brigades and significant quantities of Ukrainian equipment, including a US-made HIMARS, multiple artillery systems, electronic warfare stations, and 16 ammunition depots. Ukrainian troop losses in this sector were said to exceed 540.
Ukraine's Kursk offensive falters as Russia regains territory
The Russian Ministry of Defense released footage showing 14 Ukrainian soldiers surrendering after being encircled in the Kursk region. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported that one captive admitted, “We realized we had been abandoned and left to die, so we decided to surrender to save our lives.”
Earlier in March, former US President Donald Trump reportedly urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to “rescue” encircled Ukrainian forces in the region. In response, Putin said a rescue would require formal surrender orders from Kiev—a directive that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused to issue.
Ukraine launched a surprise offensive into Russia’s southwestern Kursk region in mid-2024, temporarily seizing ground. However, analysts had warned the operation was unsustainable. Russia has since retaken much of the area and is now reportedly pressuring Ukraine’s Sumy border region.
Russia ends suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure
In a related development, the Kremlin confirmed that its one-month suspension of strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure has officially ended. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday that no directive had been issued to extend the moratorium.
The suspension stemmed from a March 18 phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump, during which both sides agreed to a temporary “ceasefire in the energy and infrastructure sectors.”
This week, the Russian Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of conducting six attacks on Russian energy targets in a single day, potentially prompting a renewed military response.
