Russia’s Battle Group South has claimed that its forces killed more than 230 Ukrainian soldiers in the past 24 hours, according to spokesperson Vadim Astafyev, as reported by the Russian news agency TASS. The Russian units reportedly destroyed five armored vehicles, 19 automobiles, four field artillery guns, an electronic warfare station, and several ammunition and fuel depots. Drone units also targeted Ukrainian UAV control centers, Starlink terminals, and communication antennas in multiple directions, including Seversk, Kramatorsk, and Konstantinovka. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia always prefers peace but remains prepared for any potential conflict, emphasizing the need to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. His comments followed remarks by Russia’s ambassador to Belgium, who warned that NATO and the European Union appear to be preparing for a major confrontation with Moscow. The Kremlin continues to accuse Western alliances of escalating military tensions.