MOSCOW, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Russian forces launched six retaliatory strikes over the past week against Ukraine's military-linked facilities and gained control over additional frontline settlements, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Friday.
From April 25 to May 1, Russia gained control over the settlements of Pokalyanoye, Bochkovo and Zemlyanki in the Kharkiv region, and Ilyichovka, Ilinovka and some other settlements in the Donetsk region, according to the ministry.
Meanwhile, Russia's air defence systems shot down 53 guided aerial bombs, four U.S.-made HIMARS rockets, and 2,628 fixed-wing drones. The Black Sea Fleet eliminated 14 unmanned boats belonging to the Ukrainian forces.
In response to Ukrainian attacks on civilian facilities, the Russian Armed Forces carried out one massive strike and five group strikes, employing long-range high-precision weapons with land, air and sea launch capabilities, as well as attack drones, the ministry said in a statement.
It noted that the strikes targeted Ukraine's military-industrial complex enterprises, energy, transport and port infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, sites for the assembly, storage and launch of attack drones and unmanned boats, and temporary deployment hubs for Ukrainian militant formations and foreign mercenaries. ■
