Russian troops capture Filiya village, 146 service people repatriated
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Russia's Tsentr forces seize Filiya in Dnepropetrovsk, claim major Ukrainian losses, and complete a prisoner swap mediated by the UAE.
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Freed Russian servicemen wave flags by a bus in Belarus after a prisoner exchange with Ukraine, August 24, 2025 (AP)
Russia's Tsentr group of forces has seized control of the village of Filia Filia (also known as Filiya) in the Dnepropetrovsk Oblast region, the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Sunday.
"As a result of offensive actions, units of the Tsentr group of forces have liberated the village of Filiya in the Dnepropetrovsk region," the Russian Defense Ministry said in its statement.
It added that its Tsentr group of forces inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian troops over 24 hours, claiming that up to 420 Ukrainian service members were killed, alongside the destruction of one armored combat vehicle and two artillery guns.
"Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 420 soldiers, one armored combat vehicle, two artillery guns, 13 motor vehicles and one counter-battery radar station. Two ammunition depots were destroyed," the daily bulletin published by the Ministry stated.
Russia inflicts heavy losses on Ukraine in 24 hours
According to the bulletin detailing 24 hours of combat, Ukraine lost over 230 soldiers in engagements with Russia's Vostok group of forces, over 220 soldiers in battles against the Zapad group, more than 175 soldiers in clashes with the Yug group, and over 170 soldiers in fighting against the Sever group of forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry further stated that over the past day, its air defense systems successfully shot down 172 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones and intercepted three HIMARS rockets.
The Ministry added that Russia's Dnepr group of forces eliminated up to 55 Ukrainian troops while also destroying 11 motor vehicles, seven electronic warfare stations, and a materiel depot.
According to the bulletin, the Russian military also carried out a series of strikes using aircraft, drones, missiles, and artillery against multiple targets across 146 areas, including a warehouse storing Hrim tactical missiles, a drone workshop and depot, along with sites that were temporarily housing Ukrainian troops.
Russia repatriated 146 servicepeople from Ukraine
The Russian Defense Ministry additionally announced the return of 146 service members from Kiev-controlled territory.
"On August 24 of this year, 146 Russian servicepeople were brought back from the territory controlled by the Kiev regime," a statement by the Ministry said, adding that in exchange, 146 Ukrainian PoWs were handed over, with the United Arab Emirates mediating the prisoner swap.
According to the official statement, the released Russian servicepeople are currently in Belarus receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, where they will remain before being transported to Russia for further treatment and rehabilitation.
"In addition, eight citizens of the Russian Federation, residents of the Kursk Region who were illegally held captive by the Kiev regime, were returned and will be sent home," the statement added.
