Russia’s Zapad (West) Group of Forces has taken control of Novolubovka (also known as Novolyubivka) in the Luhansk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday.

"As a result of decisive actions by the units of the Zapad group of forces, the settlement of Novolubovka in the Luhansk People's Republic was liberated," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry further claimed that Ukrainian forces had suffered heavy losses across several units, including four mechanized brigades, an assault brigade, and a National Guard brigade, in multiple locations such as the Kharkiv region, the Donetsk People's Republic, and the Serebryanskyy forest area.

Ukrainian forces suffered substantial casualties and equipment losses across multiple fronts, according to the statement. The Russian military claimed that four Ukrainian mechanized brigades, an assault brigade, and a National Guard brigade sustained over 200 personnel losses, along with the destruction of a tank, a U.S.-made M113 armored personnel carrier, five vehicles, and five field artillery guns—three of which were produced by NATO countries. Additionally, Russian forces reported destroying three electronic warfare stations and an ammunition depot in the Kharkov region, the Donetsk People’s Republic, and the Serebryanskyy forest area.

The ministry also detailed broader losses attributed to other Russian battle groups over the past 24 hours. Ukraine reportedly lost more than 375 fighters in clashes with Russia’s Tsentr (Center) group, in addition to four combat armored vehicles—including a U.S.-made MaxxPro—five cars, and seven field artillery weapons, one of which was a U.S.-made 155mm Paladin self-propelled artillery unit.

Further losses included over 220 Ukrainian fighters eliminated by Russia’s Yug (South) battle group, 200 by the Zapad (West) group, 160 by the Vostok (East) group, 85 by the Dnepr group, and 40 by the Sever (North) group, according to the ministry’s update.

These reports, while unverified by independent sources, underscore the escalating intensity of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, where both sides continue to report heavy casualties and territorial shifts. Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued an official response to the Russian claims, but the situation remains fluid as the war enters another critical phase. (ILKHA)