A Ukrainian soldier of the elite drone unit packs up after an attack on the front line in the outskirts of Kremennaya, Ukraine, Sunday, August 20, 2023 (AP)

The Russian defense ministry reported that over the past 24 hours, Ukraine has lost up to 690 soldiers (counting both killed and wounded) in five directions, Sputnik reported.

"The enemy's losses in this [Donetsk] direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 430 Ukrainian servicepeople killed and wounded, four armored combat vehicles, and two cars. In the course of counter-battery fighting, a US-made M777 howitzer, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled howitzer, and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer were hit," the ministry said.

In south Donetsk, the ministry reported that Russia repelled two Ukrainian attacks inflicting 120 casualties and destroying two pick-up trucks, an M777 howitzer, and a Polish-made self-propelled gun-howitzer Krab.

In Zaporizhzhia, the Russian forces inflicted 30 casualties and destroyed an M119 howitzer, a UK-made FH70 howitzer, and two D-30 howitzers; as well as hitting a Msta-B howitzer.

In the Kherson direction, the Russian forces inflicted 40 casualties and destroyed three vehicles and three Ukrainian ammunition depots, the ministry added.

In the Kupyansk direction, Russia eliminated 20 troops and destroyed two vehicles, a US-made M777 howitzer, a Msta-B howitzer, and a Gvozdika self-propelled howitzer.

Moreover, in the Krasnyi Lyman direction, Russian forces repelled two attacks by the Ukrainian army, destroying up to 50 soldiers and six pieces of equipment, the ministry said.

Earlier today, Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia aims to secure a victory, expand its territories, and continue its ongoing military operation until it dismantles the regime in Ukraine and reclaims its historical territories from Nazi influence.

"Victory will be ours and there will be more new Russian regions," he wrote on Telegram.

"The special military operation will continue until the Nazi Kiev regime is completely destroyed and the original Russian lands are liberated from the enemy," he further said.