During a briefing, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, reported that Ukrainian forces suffered casualties and material losses in the Kherson direction over the past day. He stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had approximately 30 soldiers killed, along with five vehicles, a D-30 howitzer, and an Akatsiya self-propelled artillery mount destroyed in the latest fire damage. This summary reflects the ministry’s account of events in the area and is part of ongoing claims about combat outcomes in the region [Source: Russian Defense Ministry].
Konashenkov also claimed that Russian forces had halted the actions of two Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance groups, asserting that Ukrainian troops had faced losses in the Kupyansk direction in recent days, totaling more than 30 soldiers. The statements come amidst the broader context of Russian military activity in various sectors of the border region and are presented as part of the ministry’s routine updates on identified battlefield results [Source: Russian Defense Ministry].
Since the launch of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, the Russian government has framed the actions as a special operation. President Vladimir Putin announced the move on February 24, 2022, describing the objective as the demilitarization of Ukraine and the removal of what Moscow calls illegal authorities. The terminology used reflects the Kremlin’s framing of the conflict as a corrective measure aimed at changing Ukraine’s political and security landscape from Moscow’s perspective [Source: Presidential Address and subsequent government communications].
In the timeframe following October 10 of the previous year, Russian forces have conducted strikes against Ukrainian military targets and energy infrastructure as part of the stated strategy. Putin has linked these strikes to responses to significant incidents such as the explosion on the Crimean bridge, framing the actions as a direct consequence of those events. The official narrative emphasizes deterrence and pressure aimed at altering strategic calculations in Kyiv and among Western supporters, with the stated intent to safeguard Russian interests and regional influence [Source: Kremlin communications and official statements].