Ukraine claims shooting down 7 Russian planes and 6 helicopters

New Delhi, Feb 24 (UNI) Russian Defence Ministry claimed on Thursday that 83 ground objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine were disabled in the strikes carried out by the Russian forces. “Since the beginning of the special military operation, two Su-27s, two Su-24s, one helicopter and four Bayraktar TB-2 attack unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been shot down, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson said addressing a briefing in Moscow. “The special military operation continues. Groups of troops of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics broke through the well-equipped echeloned defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, advanced 6-8 kilometers deep,” the spokesperson said.

Russian forces and tanks were seen approaching Ukraine capital Kyiv in the day. This was made possible thanks to the fire support of Russian artillery and army aviation, he added. “All tasks assigned to the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day have been completed successfully. The joint use of raiding detachments and airborne troops in the Crimean direction enabled Russian troops to reach the city of Kherson,” he said adding the move unblocked the North Crimean Canal and restore water supply to the Crimean Peninsula.

Russia captures Chernobyl Nuclear Plant, Ukraine:  The Russian military on Thursday took control of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant near the city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine hours after the Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned about it. The Russian parliament tweeted the information from its official handle. “The Russian occupiers took control of the Chernobyl. The lives of millions on the Planet are under treat,” said the tweet. Talking control of Chernobyl nuclear plant would also mean that the Russian forces are only about 100 kilometers away from the Ukranian capital Kyiv. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned about the attempt of the Russian forces to occupy the Chernobyl nuclear plant. “Russian forces are trying to seize the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the abandoned city of Pripyat in northern Ukraine,” he tweeted. Volodymyr Zelenskyy termed this as a declaration of war against the whole of Europ