The Russian Federation reported that its forces conducted operations in the Donetsk direction that resulted in significant losses for Ukrainian troops and allied mercenaries. Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, provided the update, stating that ongoing actions by the Southern Group of Forces, combined with targeted aerial strikes and artillery fire, led to substantial daily losses on the Ukrainian side. The figures, issued by Moscow, indicated that a notable portion of enemy personnel was neutralized in recent engagements in this area, reflecting the intensity of the combat activity as observed by Russian military officials.
According to Konashenkov, the combat actions in Donetsk involved not only ground maneuvers but also the effective deployment of multiple launch rocket systems and self-propelled artillery. Among the equipment cited as eliminated were Grad rocket systems, as well as Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers, which were reported knocked out during the ongoing operations in this sector. The Russian side emphasized the destructiveness of these strikes and the resulting degradation of Ukrainian firepower in the Donetsk corridor, highlighting the impact on the enemy’s ability to sustain its offensive or defensive posture in that sector.
Across various phases of the broader conflict, Russian forces have repeatedly stated that several types of artillery and engine-powered systems of the Ukrainian side have been removed from combat readiness. In this latest briefing, the Ministry of Defense noted the destruction of additional howitzers, including models like Msta-B and D-30, underscoring the continued emphasis on neutralizing long-range and field artillery capabilities in contested theaters. The statements framed these losses as part of a continuous sequence of operational actions aimed at limiting Ukrainian artillery support and shaping battlefield dynamics in the Donetsk region.
Historical context remains a part of the narrative surrounding these announcements. On 24 February 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a decision to initiate a special military operation in Ukraine, describing it as a response to requests from the heads of the LPR and DPR for assistance. This backdrop has framed subsequent security actions and the evolving geopolitical response from other states, including sanctions that were introduced by the United States and allied governments. The Russian authorities have consistently tied their military actions to the stated objectives of protecting interests in certain separatist regions, while foreign observers monitor the broader implications for regional stability and international diplomacy. In reporting developments, Russian officials often present casualty figures and equipment losses as indicators of battlefield pressure on Ukrainian forces and their mercenary contingents, along with assertions about the effectiveness of Russian air and ground operations in specific directions.
In ongoing briefings, the Russian side has tended to emphasize the operational tempo of forces deployed in the Donetsk direction, noting that active actions by the Southern Group of Forces, supplemented by air support and artillery campaigns, have shaped daily outcomes. The reported figures are presented as part of an information campaign detailing the ebb and flow of combat, with officials asserting that Russian units retain local advantages in certain sectors. For observers, these updates form one piece of a larger mosaic describing ongoing hostilities, with questions about casualty verification, independent corroboration, and the broader humanitarian impact remaining central to international reporting and analysis. Attribution is provided to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, which has continued to publish periodic summaries of clashes, losses, and the disposition of matériel as the conflict persists in eastern Ukraine.