Alexander Savchuk, the spokesperson for the central group’s press center, told RIA Novosti that the Russian armed forces eliminated three unmanned aerial vehicle checkpoints in Ukraine within a single day. The report framed the operations as coordinated strikes against drone infrastructure, underscoring the importance of aerial reconnaissance in the current phase of the conflict.
He indicated that units from the Center group, aided by artillery and air support, held more favorable lines and positions on the front, enabling them to press multi-domain actions. The description highlighted artillery and air cover as key force multipliers that helped maintain momentum in pursuit of strategic objectives.
Savchuk specified that over the course of the day Russian forces targeted personnel and equipment from several Ukrainian formations, including the 24th and 110th mechanized brigades, the 71st ranger brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the 103rd territorial defense brigade, in the areas of Novokalinovka, Mayorsk, Berdychi, and Rozovka. He claimed Ukrainian losses surpassed 490 personnel, in addition to two destroyed tanks, including an Abrams tank supplied by the United States, three Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and a dozen other vehicles and equipment items. This update was attributed to battlefield assessments from the Russian side and accompanied by typical performance metrics used in official briefings.
On March 3, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that units within the South group had established more advantageous lines in the Donetsk direction, describing a consolidation of positions as part of ongoing operations. The message framed these developments as reinforcing the group’s ability to influence the front line in that sector.
Earlier, the ministry stated that units from the Center group of Russian forces remained present in their sectors, continuing to occupy and strengthen positions while advancing toward Avdeevka. The communication characterized these efforts as steady progress consistent with the broader operational objectives in the Donetsk region.
On March 2, reports from the Dnieper troop group indicated that Russian forces destroyed a self-propelled howitzer produced by Zuzana in Slovakia, a claim aligned with recent Russian disclosures of weapon system neutralizations in the broader theater. The incident was portrayed as part of a sequence of targeting activities aimed at limiting Ukrainian artillery capabilities in contested zones.
In a related note, Russian military statements indicated that a Su-25 aircraft conducted strikes at or near a Ukrainian fortified position around Avdeevka, contributing to the ongoing dynamics of air-ground operations in the area. The sequence of air strikes and ground engagements was presented as part of a wider effort to disrupt Ukrainian defense fortifications and mobility in the vicinity of Avdeevka.