MOSCOW, March 9. /TASS/. Russian forces repulsed two Ukrainian attacks in the south Donetsk direction and also thwarted the enemy forces’ attempts to improve their frontline positions in three local areas, Spokesman for Russia’s battlegroup East Alexander Gordeyev told TASS on Saturday.

"The Russian forces repelled two attacks of the 72nd mechanized brigade near the settlement of Vladimirovka and thwarted enemy’s attempts to improve their frontline positions near the settlements of Shevchenko, Staromayorskoye and Priyutnoye," he said.

The enemy’s losses amounted to roughly 180 personnel killed and wounded, two combat armored vehicles, six motor vehicles and three aircraft-type UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).