MOSCOW, January 5. /TASS/. Russian forces have repelled nine attacks by Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk area with the enemy’s total losses amounting almost to 2,000 troops, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"In the Donetsk area, Battlegroup South units, supported by aviation and artillery, thwarted nine enemy attacks. The Ukrainian army’s losses over the past period in this area have amounted to over 1,990 troops killed and wounded, four tanks, 17 armored fighting vehicles, including two Bradley fighting vehicles, 64 cars and 26 field artillery guns," the military agency said.