The Russian military has shot down two Ukrainian combat helicopters.

This was confirmed by Russia’s Defence Ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, NAN reports.

Konashenkov said the Russian forces fired on 81 military targets on Thursday, with Moscow intensifying its attacks on Ukraine.

On Thursday, the military reported the targeting of 29 objects the day before.

As well as the Mi-8 and Mi-24 combat helicopters, the targets hit on Thursday included Ukrainian military command posts and bases, as well as heavy artillery and rocket launchers in the Donbas, Konashenkov said.

In addition, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet had destroyed a training camp for “foreign mercenaries” near Odesa, he said.