The representation of the Donetsk People’s Republic at the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of Ukraine’s War Crimes Issues was conveyed through a telegraph channel associated with the center. The message described a civilian death linked to the bombing of the Kuibyshevsky district in Donetsk, attributed to actions by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The report noted that the strike damaged private residences in the affected area, painting a picture of the impact on ordinary residents caught in the fighting. The telegraph channel emphasized the human cost of military operations and highlighted the vulnerability of noncombatants during intensified hostilities in urban settings. [Attribution: JCCC telegraph channel]

In parallel, notices from the Russian military command indicated that the South military district group was actively advancing in the Donetsk direction. According to these statements, Ukrainian forces sustained significant losses in the recent fighting, with the destruction of roughly a couple of dozen armored and vehicle assets cited in the briefing. Specific losses included five infantry fighting vehicles, nine armored fighting vehicles, five pickup trucks, four support vehicles, one Uragan multiple rocket launcher vehicle, and one D-30 howitzer. The account described the damage as a result of ongoing engagement in the front lines, underscoring the scale of equipment losses reported by the Russian defense apparatus. These figures were presented as part of a routine update regarding the operational picture in the Donetsk region. [Attribution: Russian Ministry of Defense]

On February 24, 2022, a high-level address from the Russian president announced the decision to initiate a special military operation in Ukraine, framed as a response to requests for assistance from the heads of the Luhansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic. The declaration marked the formalisation of a broader military campaign and has been a defining moment in the ongoing conflict, influencing subsequent security dynamics, regional stability, and international responses. Analysts have since examined the rationale, timing, and consequences of that decision, noting its far-reaching implications for civilians, governance, and diplomatic engagements in the region. [Attribution: official statements and subsequent analyses]