Russian forces have secured more strategic positions in the Donetsk region, specifically in the vicinity of the village of Klishchiivka and the town of Kurdiumivka, a spokesperson for Russia's Yug Group of Forces Vadim Astafyev informed Sputnik.

Astafyev added that five Ukrainian attacks were successfully repelled by Russian troops.

"The units of the Yug Group of Forces have taken more advantageous positions and repelled five enemy attacks, defeated manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in the areas of Bohdanivka, Bohdanivka, Kurdiumivka, Heorhiivka and Novomykhailivka," he said.

He further pointed out that Ukrainian forces suffered substantial losses, including the loss of 335 soldiers who were either killed or wounded.

They also include one tank, three armored combat vehicles, two radars, 10 vehicles, and an M777 155mm howitzer, adding that Russian air defenses successfully shot down 14 Ukrainian drones. 

Combat footage of TOS-1A Solntsepyok crews from the Yug Group of Forces targeting Ukrop positions in the Donetsk direction. pic.twitter.com/XAQi4C6boj

— Blackrussian (@Blackrussiantv) January 24, 2024

On Friday, Ukraine's army chief warned that the country must prepare itself for another year of significant casualties as the war with Russia nears its two-year mark later this month.

Valery Zaluzhny's comments came during talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had earlier told him that he would be sacked from his post, the Washington Post reported citing unnamed Ukrainian officials.

Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko on Monday announced, as per informed sources, that Zaluzhny was told to resign, although no official decree has been issued yet.

Goncharenko added that Ukraine's top officer "was offered a position of ambassador to one of the European countries. He refused."

However, Ukraine's Defense Ministry denied the reports.

Tensions grew between Zelensky and Zaluzhny after the latter informed him that the field situation is at a "stalemate," a description that was strongly rejected by the president, The Economist reported.

Read more: Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Valery Zaluzhny allegedly urged to resign