Russian forces destroy 793 drones, 2,979 armored vehicles in Ukraine

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Since the commencement of their special military operation in Ukraine, Russian forces have destroyed 163 Ukrainian combat aircraft, 124 helicopters, 793 unmanned aerial vehicles, and 2,979 tanks and other armored vehicles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major-General Igor Konashenkov.

"Overall, the following targets have been destroyed since the beginning of the special military operation: 163 aircraft, 124 helicopters, 793 unmanned aerial vehicles, 300 surface-to-air missile systems, 2,979 tanks, and other combat armored vehicles, 351 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,440 field artillery guns and mortars, and 2,789 special military motor vehicles," the Spokesperson said.

Overnight, Russian air defense forces shot down three Ukrainian drones and intercepted a Tochka-U missile above the Donbass town of Khartsyzsk, according to Konashenkov.

"Throughout the night, Russian air defense capabilities eliminated three Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the areas of the settlements of Mospino and Yunokommunarovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the city of Odessa. A Ukrainian Tochka-U missile and a shell of the Smerch multiple launch rocket system were intercepted over the community of Khartsyzsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic," he said.

According to the general, two more Smerch rockets were shot down near Malaya Kamyshevakha and Izyum.

According to Konashenkov, a Ukrainian Air Force Su-25 ground attack fighter was shot down in an aerial confrontation in the Kharkov Region overnight, and Russian combat aircraft also targeted 16 places of amassed enemy manpower and military equipment.

"On the evening of May 9, a Su-25 plane of the Ukrainian Air Force was shot down in an aerial battle near the settlement of Novaya Dmitrovka in the Kharkov Region," the Spokesperson said.

Russian operational-tactical and army aviation aircraft targeted 16 places of amassed Ukrainian soldiers and military gear throughout the night, according to the general.

"Missile and artillery troops hit 33 command posts, 407 areas of the amassment of manpower and military equipment, and also five ammunition and fuel depots in the areas of Nikolayev and Mirnoye in the Nikolayev Region," Konashenkov said.

According to the official, the strikes killed up to 380 Ukrainian nationalists and disabled 53 pieces of military equipment.