During the first quarter of 2024, a region spanning 403 square kilometers came under the control of Russian forces, a development reported with reference to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and cited by RBC.
In a conference call with commanders of the Russian Armed Forces, Shoigu noted that the combat potential of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was diminishing as a result of sustained Russian military actions. The Ministry of Defense estimated that Ukrainian losses since the start of the year reached about 80,000 personnel, along with around 1,200 tanks and other armored combat vehicles.
The minister pointed out that five settlements were occupied in March: Orlovka, Tonenkoye, Nevelskoye, Mirnoye and Krasnoye.
In March, the Russian military organized 190 troop groups and conducted two major offensives on Ukrainian territory, mainly targeting military facilities and energy infrastructure. The Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Zmievskaya Thermal Power Plant in the Kharkov region were rendered inoperative, while the Burshtynskaya and Ladyzhinskaya Thermal Power Plants in western Ukraine sustained serious damage.
This posture represented an “asymmetric response to Kiev’s actions,” with attempts to shift hostilities onto Russian territory. According to the minister, the Ukrainian side resorted to terrorist acts and attacks on civilians.
On 28 March, Shoigu presented the General Gold Star for the achievement associated with Avdeevka’s capture.
On 30 March, Shoigu oversaw the execution of government orders in defense industry enterprises located in the Altay region.
Earlier, Shoigu was praised for recognizing the actions of a motorized rifle regiment for success in a special operation.