The Russian Defense Ministry reported that in the Kupyansk direction artillery fire targeted Ukrainian forces in the Kharkiv region and in the Lugansk People’s Republic. This update appeared in the ministry’s daily briefing.
Actions by three Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating in Novoselovskoye and Kuzemovka in the Luhansk People’s Republic and in Masyutovka in the Kharkiv region were halted, according to the same briefing.
According to the report, 35 Ukrainian servicemen, two vehicles, and a D-20 howitzer were destroyed in the Kupyansk sector on the reported day.
Earlier, Sergei Zybinsky, spokesperson for the Zapad group, stated that Russian forces in the Kupyansk direction achieved success by interrupting the movement of four sabotage and reconnaissance teams and three Ukrainian army reserves.
Previously, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian troops were operating in the Kupyansk direction and had neutralized more than 30 Ukrainian military personnel and equipment units.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to carry out a special military operation in Ukraine, citing requests for assistance from the heads of the LPR and DPR as the basis for the move.
The timing of that decision was used to justify new sanctions against Russia by the United States and its allies, as reported by officials and allied observers at the time.