Krievija

Ukrainian forces report destroying 1,070 Russian soldiers in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of Russian military losses since the full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, to 435,680, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian military claims Russia has now lost 6,834 tanks, 11,988 armored personnel carriers, 9,693 artillery systems, and 984 multiple launch rocket systems. Further reported losses include 606 air defense systems, 347 aircraft, 325 helicopters, 6,798 unmanned aerial vehicles, 2,042 cruise missiles, 23 ships and submarines, 9,998 vehicles and fuel tanks, and 768 units of specialized equipment.

These figures, while provided by Ukraine, are consistently updated and represent a significant cumulative toll as the conflict enters its third year. The Ukrainian General Staff notes that the numbers are being clarified due to ongoing combat operations, suggesting the actual figures may be higher.

The Russian invasion, initiated on February 24, 2022, following a build-up of forces near Ukraine’s borders with Russia, Belarus, and Crimea – which Russia annexed in 2014 – began with a direct military incursion into the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR), according to reports from the time. Russia subsequently recognized the independence of these regions within the entirety of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

Initial reports on February 24, 2022, indicated 137 Ukrainians were killed and 316 wounded, including both military personnel and civilians, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At that time, approximately 478,000 euros had been donated by Latvian citizens to support Ukraine via the ziedot.lv platform.

International reaction to the invasion was swift, with French President Emmanuel Macron speaking with Vladimir Putin to demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, warning of significant sanctions. The Kremlin, in turn, stated that Putin had provided a “comprehensive explanation” for the decision to launch the military operation. The European Security and Cooperation Organization (OSCE) voiced strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As of February 24, 2022, Russia had received support from Belarus, and military assistance from Iran and China, while Ukraine was backed by a coalition of nations including NATO members and Australia, providing military aid. The involvement of North Korea has also been reported.

A large ammunition depot in Russia’s Volgograd region was struck overnight by Ukrainian-made “Flamingo” rockets, triggering powerful explosions and secondary detonations, Ukrainian military officials reported Thursday.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated the target, located in Kotluban, was one of the largest ammunition storage sites for the Russian military. The announcement did not specify the extent of damage or casualties.

In a separate overnight development, the General Staff also reported a Ukrainian drone strike ignited a fire at the “Progress” aviation equipment and missile factory in Michurinsk, Tambov Oblast.

However, authorities in Tambov Oblast offered a different account, stating the fire broke out at a local hypermarket and caused damage to the facade of the Michurinsk Industrial Technology College.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is the central military command and control body of the Russian Federation, operating under the authority of the Russian Ministry of Defence. It is responsible for directing the armed forces, organizing defense planning, and coordinating defense measures across various branches and special formations, according to information from the Russian Wikipedia.

As of Thursday morning, Ukraine’s armed forces estimate Russian military losses in Ukraine at 1,000,340 soldiers, with 1,140 soldiers reported as lost in the last 24 hours. Ukraine also claims to have destroyed 10,933 tanks, 22,786 armored personnel carriers, 29,063 artillery systems and mortars, and a substantial number of other military assets since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

In October, the General Staff confirmed the presence of approximately 200 Russian soldiers in Pokrovsk, in the Donbas region, describing the situation there as “complex” due to a numerical superiority of Russian forces and increased attack attempts.