Moscow reports heavy losses on Ukrainian side

MOSCOW, Feb.  25 (YPA) – The Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation said that its forces shot down five jet fighters, one helicopter and five drones during military operations in Ukraine.

Russian troops destroyed 18 tanks and  armored vehicles, and seven rocket launchers and 41 military vehicles during the Ukrainian army’s military operations, the Defence Ministry said in a statement .

In a related context, the ministry said that it had been agreed with Ukrainian forces to provide joint protection for the Chernobyl nuclear plant, and that the level of radiation in the Chernobyl reactor area was normal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 137 Ukrainians were killed on Thursday on the first day of the Russian operation, and 316 others were wounded in the fighting.

E.M