Russian Defense Ministry reports destruction of 98 planes, 118 drones, 1,041 tanks and armored vehicles during operation in Ukraine

MOSCOW. March 11 (Interfax) - The Russian military has downed three Ukrainian Mil Mi-24 combat helicopters and eight unmanned aerial vehicles, including five Turkish-made Bayraktar drones, in the past 24 hours, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

"Since the beginning of the operation, 3,213 elements of the Ukrainian military infrastructure have been disabled, while 98 planes, 118 unmanned aerial vehicles, 1,041 tanks and other kinds of armored vehicles have been destroyed," Konashenkov said at a press briefing on Friday.

Over the past day, fighter jets and army air defense forces have downed three Ukrainian Mil Mi-24 helicopters and eight drones, including five Bayraktar TB2.

"Tactical and army aviation have hit 107 sites of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including six command and communication posts, 14 ammo and fuel depots, and 11 places of concentration of military hardware," Konashenkov said.

Since the beginning of the operation, Russian forces have destroyed 113 rocket launchers, 389 artillery systems and mortars, and 843 special military vehicles, he said.