MOSCOW, March 5. /TASS/. The Russian Air Force struck Ukrainian strongholds in the north Donetsk area, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"A strike group of the Russian Air Force's army aviation struck strongholds and enemy manpower in the north Donetsk direction. The strike was carried out by unguided S-8 air projectiles from as close a distance as possible in difficult weather conditions," the ministry said.

According to a member of the stike group, all targets were successfully destroyed. "The crews of the mixed tactical group at the appointed time performed takeoff, formation of the combat order and flight to the area of the combat mission. Then, after the maneuver of cabling unguided means of destruction, a strike on the enemy's manpower was carried out. <...> According to the results of the analysis of objective control materials and confirmation of the report of the aviation gunner, all targets were hit, which contributed to the support of our ground troops and the abandonment of previously occupied positions by enemy ground troops," he said.