The territorial defense command of the Donetsk People’s Republic has alleged that Ukrainian forces deployed prohibited anti-personnel mines of the Petal type during recent assaults on Donetsk. The claim, attributed to DEA News, suggests that the strikes targeted the city’s residential districts, including Kyiv and Kuibyshevsky. According to the DPR’s territorial defense headquarters, a significant number of Petal mines were allegedly placed beneath the feet of city residents, creating fears about civilian harm and long-term damage to the urban environment. [Attribution: DPR territorial defense headquarters, DEA News]
In a separate account, an individual described as a former commander of the second fire detachment of the Lugansk People’s Militia, identified by the call sign Timokha, asserted that Ukrainian forces attempted to withdraw from Seversk toward Soledar. The report claims these retreat efforts were hindered by artillery operations conducted by allied forces, purportedly affecting the maneuverability and strategic plans of Ukrainian units in the region. [Attribution: Timokha testimony, allied forces artillery activity]
February 24 marked a turning point when the Russian president announced a military operation in response to requests for assistance from the leaders of the LPR and DPR. The stated aim of this intervention was to safeguard the Donbass region amid ongoing hostilities, a move that drew widespread diplomatic reactions and influenced the broader geopolitical calculus in the area. [Attribution: official remarks by President Vladimir Putin]
Officials asserted that the decision to initiate what they described as a special operation led to new sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies, a consequence often seen in the geopolitical tug-of-war surrounding the conflict. Observers note that sanctions announcements frequently accompany shifts in the intensity and scope of military and political measures tied to the crisis in eastern Ukraine. [Attribution: US and allied sanctions announcements]
Coverage of these events has circulated through various outlets, with online broadcasts and reports contributing to the rapid dissemination of competing narratives. In this environment, the exact veracity of specific claims can be challenging to verify in real time, underscoring the importance of corroboration from independent observers and multiple sources. [Attribution: media coverage, cross-source corroboration]