Moscow, July 5 -- Russia's Tsentr (Center) group of forces has eliminated up to 440 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday.

"The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to up to 440 servicepeople, five combat armored vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one Grad multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle and five field artillery guns," the ministry said in a statement.

The Zapad (West) group of forces has eliminated more than 230 Ukrainian troops, while the Sever (North) group has eliminated up to 210 Ukrainian troops, the ministry said, adding that the Yug (South) group has eliminated up to 140 Ukrainian soldiers and the Vostok (East) group has eliminated over 155 Ukrainian soldiers.

Russi...