![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Russia-reportedly-lost-an-entire-brigade-in-attacks-on-Avdiivka-5039331.jpg?r=1698659884072\")
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Vladimir Putin continuse to be humiliated after Ukraine launched more than 30 drones in the latest aerial offensive targeting Russian bases in northwestern Crimea and along the Black Sea coast.<\/p>\n
In response, Russia’s defence ministry has accused Ukraine of carrying out a “terrorist attack”.<\/p>\n
The Russian MoD declared that 34 Ukrainian drones had been shot down by air defence systems on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian defence officials have not released a comment in response to the Russian claims. <\/p>\n
The Ukrainian strikes come as the Russian military looks to hammer away at the frontline around the town of Avdiivka amid a report of heavy losses. <\/p>\n
Read More <\/strong> Putin hit with stark warning from major ally over Ukraine war ‘stalemate’<\/strong><\/p>\n Russia has been looking to trap thousands of Ukraine soldiers in the town via a pincer move to the north and south.<\/p>\n The town has been built up into a fortress by the Ukrainian military over the years, going back to the first Donbas war.<\/p>\n Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Russia has already lost an entire brigade in the fighting around Avdiivka.<\/p>\n Zelensky said: “The invaders made several attempts to surround Avdiivka, but each time our soldiers stopped them and threw them back, causing painful losses. In these cases, the enemy lost at least a brigade.”<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Meanwhile, the leader of Belarus Alexadner Lukashenkon has declared that both sides need to order an end to military operations and “come to an agreement”.<\/p>\n Lukashenko insisted that any talks would not need preconditions attached and warned of a “stalemate”<\/p>\n He said: “There are enough problems on both sides and in general the situation is now seriously stalemate: no one can do anything and substantively strengthen or advance their position,<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/Avdiivka-is-under-sustained-Russian-assault-5039347.jpg?r=1698659884162\")
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