Kiev’s botched attack took place in the southern part of Donetsk Region, according to the ministry

FILE PHOTO: A Russian serviceman stands in a trench at a position on a front line, as Russia's military operation in Ukraine continues. ©  Sputnik / Evgeny Biyatov

Ukrainian forces attempted to mount a large-scale offensive in the southern part of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on Monday.

In a statement, the ministry said that on Sunday, Ukrainian troops attempted to attack Russian forces using six mechanized and two tank battalions. However, it added that as a result of the actions of the ‘East’ military grouping, as well as owing to air strikes and artillery fire near the settlements of Neskuchnoye and Novodarovka, both of which are some 100km west of Donetsk, the Ukrainian forces incurred “significant losses.”

As a result of the botched attack, in the last 24 hours Ukraine has lost up to 300 service members, 16 tanks, 26 armored and 14 ordinary vehicles, the statement read. “The enemy failed to accomplish its goals,” the ministry concluded.

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https://www.rt.com/russia/577498-ukrainian-counteroffensive-attempt-failed-russian-mod/