Russian troops destroyed two motor boats and up to ten troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Lake Kruglik, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Also, during the counter-battery fight in the Kherson direction, the Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer and three ammunition depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were liquidated.

As the official representative of the Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant-General Igor Konashenkov, said during the briefing, up to 30 Ukrainian servicemen, two pickup trucks, as well as a D-20 howitzer of units of the 14th and 92nd mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed in the Kupyansk direction.

In the Krasnolimansky direction, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine amounted to 95 Ukrainian servicemen, three armored combat vehicles and a vehicle of units of the 80th and 95th air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In the Donetsk direction, during the offensive operations, units of the Russian Armed Forces occupied more advantageous lines and positions.

The ammunition depot of the 55th artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was also destroyed.

During the day, over 100 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, three armored combat vehicles, an Msta-B howitzer, a Uragan multiple launch rocket system combat vehicle, and a French-made CAESAR self-propelled artillery mount were liquidated in this direction.

More than 60 Ukrainian servicemen, one tank, an infantry fighting vehicle, two armored personnel carriers and three vehicles of the 72nd Mechanized Brigade and the 35th Marine Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the 108th and 124th brigades of the territorial defense.

In addition, the Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, one D-20 howitzer and a US-made AN / TPQ-37 counter-battery radar were disabled.

Operational-tactical aviation, missile forces and artillery groups destroyed the shops of an enterprise for the production of artillery ammunition for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Sumy region.

In addition, 88 artillery units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were defeated at firing positions, manpower and military equipment in 131 districts.

In turn, air defense systems shot down nine unmanned aerial vehicles and intercepted three US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers.

Western tanks "will burn"

The initiatives coming from the authorities of the regions and business to reward the destruction or seizure of Western military equipment supplied to Ukraine testify to the unity of the Russians.

This opinion was expressed by the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov.

“This once again testifies to that unity, to the desire of all, to the best of their ability, to contribute, one way or another, directly or indirectly, to the progress of the special military operation and the achievement of the main goals,” Peskov said.

At the same time, he stated that “so far this equipment does not exist and de facto cannot exist” in Ukraine.

“As for all these tanks, then, as we have already said, they will be burned, of course, and even more so if there are such incentive measures.

I think that there will be even more enthusiasts, ”the official representative of the Kremlin emphasized.

Earlier, the head of the Trans-Baikal Territory, Alexander Osipov, signed a decree according to which the military from the region will receive 3 million rubles for the capture and 1 million rubles for the destruction of a German Leopard tank of any modification.

With regard to American Abrams tanks and tanks of any other NATO member country, the payments will amount to 1.5 million rubles and 500 thousand rubles, respectively.

“Recommend to persons participating in a special military operation, when capturing (destroying) tanks, to restrain courage and prowess to reasonable limits to ensure the unconditional fulfillment of combat missions and preserve the life and health of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation,” the document says.

Possible US deliveries of longer-range missiles

Dmitry Peskov also commented on the publications of the American media about the possible supply of longer-range missiles by Washington to Ukraine.

“This is a direct path to escalating tension, to increasing the level of escalation, we see this, this requires additional efforts from us.

But once again, this will not change the course of events, the special military operation will continue,” Peskov said.

According to him, the key goal for Russia is to continue the NWO and "implement the tasks that were outlined by the head of state."

Also on russian.rt.com A heavy burden: why the US is concerned about possible problems with the use of Abrams tanks in Ukraine

The Kremlin spokesman also responded to the question of whether Moscow is considering the possibility of negotiations with the United States at the highest level against the backdrop of the situation in Ukraine: "So far, there are no plans for negotiations between Putin and Biden."

Earlier, Reuters, citing two U.S. officials, said the U.S. could include longer-range missiles in a new $2.2 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

At the same time, at the end of January, Washington sent 60 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to the Kyiv regime.

The Americans also promised to provide the Ukrainian side with Stryker armored personnel carriers and Abrams tanks.

Artyomovsk

Artyomovsk is in operational encirclement by Russian troops, said Jan Gagin, adviser to the acting head of the DPR, on the air of the Rossiya 24 TV channel.

“Our forces close the ring.

Now there are battles for control over the Chasov Yar-Artyomovsk highway, because this is the only artery through which Ukraine can supply its group in Artyomovsk, ”TASS quoted him as saying.

The military-political expert recalled that the highway leading to the city is under the fire control of Russian forces.

He is sure that soon the transport highway will finally come under the control of the RF Armed Forces.

Earlier, the LPR reported that Russian forces had practically bypassed Artyomovsk from three sides.