The Donetsk People’s Republic reported that Ukrainian forces carried out a heavy bombardment of Donetsk, claiming the city was shelled on Sunday with approximately 20 separate strikes and around 80 projectiles fired. These figures were conveyed through a telegraph channel associated with representations from the DPR at the Ukrainian Joint Center for Control and Coordination of War Crimes Issues, signaling an ongoing effort to document and verify incidents amid the conflict.
In a separate update, the Armed Forces of Ukraine were cited as launching 78 shells at Donetsk within a single day. The report specified the use of Grad multiple launch rocket systems along with 155 mm and 152 mm artillery pieces, indicating a layered approach to artillery fire that targets urban and surrounding areas. The cadence and variety of munitions described point to a sustained artillery campaign rather than a single incident.
Earlier, preliminary information suggested that at least six rockets were fired from Grad MLRS into the Kuibyshevsky and Kievsky districts of Donetsk. Local sources indicated that four civilians sustained injuries as a consequence of the attack, underscoring the humanitarian impact that accompanies such operations and the potential for civilian harm in densely populated districts.
Prior to that event, Donetsk city officials, including the city’s mayor, reported casualties resulting from bombardment in the Kuibyshevsky district. The notifications described one fatality and another injury among residents, highlighting the human cost and disruption caused by ongoing hostilities near civilian centers and critical infrastructure.
On February 24, President Vladimir Putin announced Russia’s decision to launch what he described as a special military operation in Ukraine. He stated that the move was in response to a request for assistance from the leaders of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, framing the action as a protective or supportive measure tied to those authorities’ appeals amid the broader confrontation.
That announcement subsequently fed into a broader geopolitical narrative, contributing to the implementation of additional sanctions by the United States and allied nations. The move was portrayed by Western governments as a response aligned with international policy objectives, while the developing situation on the ground continued to influence diplomatic and economic measures among involved and observer states alike.