Over 20 Ukrainian army personnel have been killed during the special operation in the east of the country, Ukraine's acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval said.
According to Minister Koval, the standoff has claimed the lives of two helicopter crews, and several paratroopers, Russian Ria Novosti informs.
Twelve people died near the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russian separatists shot down a military helicopter, Thursday.
According to the acting Defense Minister, Ukrainian forces are planning to continue the special operation in southeastern Ukraine until they reach a complete stabilization in the region.
In mid-April, Ukraine's interim government launched a special operation to crack down on federalists, but failed to gain control over the self-proclaimed independent republics in the eastern part of country. Moscow has described the operation as a punitive act.