The Ukrainian military claims to have destroyed at least 73 Russian tanks and other equipment during a battle over a river in the Donbas region.

Footage released by Ukrainian forces shows several burned military vehicles and destroyed segments of a bridge following the clash over the Siversky Donets River in Bilohorivka.

The UK Ministry of Defense said Russia had lost "important elements of maneuver" and at least one tactical offensive battalion.

A tactical group of the Russian battalion consists of about 1000 troops, reports

skynews.

"Carrying out river crossings in a disputed environment is a very dangerous maneuver and speaks to the pressure that Russian commanders are experiencing to make progress in their operations in eastern Ukraine," the ministry said.

/ Telegraphy /