Russia’s aviation launched 53 strikes on Ukraine over past day – Defense Ministry

Over the past day, Russia has launched 48 strikes with operational and tactical aircrafts on Kharkiv Region and Donetsk Region and five strikes with long-range aircrafts on Mykolaiv Region and Odesa Region.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzianyk at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“The occupiers’ operational and tactical aviation launched 48 strikes on Kharkiv Region and Donetsk Region. Meanwhile, Russia’s long-range aircrafts were used to launch five strikes on Mykolaiv Region and Odesa Region. The threat of Russia’s cruise missile strikes from the Black Sea on military and civilian objects within the territory of Ukraine is persisting,” Motuzianyk told.

In his words, Russian troops continue the offensive in the Eastern Operational Zone. The enemy’s key objective is to gain full control over Donetsk Region, Luhansk Region and Kherson Region, and ensure the stability of a land corridor to the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Russian invaders are most active in the Donetsk and Slobozhanskyi directions. The enemy is firing all over the contact line and trying to hit deep into the defense lines of Ukrainian forces.

Russian invaders continue to destroy civil infrastructure and residential areas in Ukrainian cities with missile, air and artillery strikes on Donetsk Region, Zaporizhzhia Region, Luhansk Region, Mykolaiv Region, Odesa Region and Kharkiv Region.

Russian authorities are making efforts to integrate the occupied territories into Russia. As part of the Victory Day celebrations, Russian occupation administrations intensified counterintelligence measures, increased the number of checkpoints and patrol forces. The curfew was introduced until May 10, 2022, and restrictions were imposed on the movement of local residents. People are coming in groups from the temporarily occupied Crimea and Russia’s regions to the temporarily seized areas of Kherson Region and Zaporizhzhia Region  to create propagandist stories for the Russian mass media.

A reminder that, between February 24, 2022 and May 9, 2022, Russia’s total combat losses in Ukraine reached about 25,650 troops.