Moscow (Times Of Ocean)- Russia used its hypersonic Kinzhal missiles on Saturday to destroy an underground weapons depot in Ukraine for the first time, its Defense Ministry said.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Kinzhal missiles were used to destroy an underground weapons depot in Ivano-Frankovsk.
“On March 18, Kinzhal aviation missile system with hypersonic ballistic missiles destroyed a large underground storage facility for missiles and aviation ammunition of Ukrainian troops in Delyatin, Ivano-Frankovsk region,” said Igor Konashenkov, the ministry spokesperson.
According to him, 69 more Ukrainian military elements were attacked overnight, and 12 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were shot down by Russian air defense systems.
Russian forces have destroyed 196 Ukrainian UAVs, 1,438 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 145 multiple launch rocket systems, 556 field artillery and mortars, and 1,237 special military vehicles, the spokesperson said.
Konashenkov said Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine continues in full force.
Ukraine says Russian losses are mounting.
Ukrainian military forces also reported more attacks on Russian forces, saying they have now killed at least 14,400 Russian soldiers in combat operations.
The Ukrainian General Staff reports that 95 Russian aircraft, 115 helicopters, 466 tanks, 914 vehicles, 60 fuel carriers, 17 UAVs, and three light speedboats have been destroyed so far.
However, both sides have not independently verified their claims of casualties and damages.
Since the war began on Feb. 24, at least 816 civilians have been killed and 1,333 injured in Ukraine.
UN figures, however, are expected to be much higher.
According to the UN refugee agency, more than 3.27 million people have fled Ukraine, while 6.48 million are displaced within the country.