Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov attends a meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin’s St. George Hall in Moscow, Russia, June 23, 2025. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab

MOSCOW, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said on Friday that the Russian army had sped up its rate of advance in Ukraine and was taking control of 600-700 square km (502 square miles) a month compared to 300-400 square km at the start of the year.

Belousov also said that Russia had inflicted significant damage on Ukraine’s military and industrial infrastructure carrying out 35 mass strikes this year on what he called 146 critically important targets.

“As a result, the infrastructure of 62% of key enterprises in Ukraine’s military-industrial complex has been damaged,” Belousov said.

“I would particularly like to highlight strikes that reduce production capacity, as well as those targeting logistics centres and launch sites for long-range strike drones.”

Reuters could not verify his battlefield assettions.

Belousov said that Russia had more work to do on improving its own drone capabilities, including training drone operators more quickly.

Another priority he identified was improving the speed at which tactical groups could move.

“This year, 22,725 motorcycles, quad bikes and buggies have been delivered. By the end of the year, a further 12,186 units of this equipment are expected to be transferred to the armed forces,” he said.

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