On Friday, March 25, the Russian Ministry of Defense discussed the tasks facing the private military formations and the operations conducted by Russian forces in Ukraine, outlining the progress made so far.
Recall that the special operation began on February 24, as announced by President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that people subjected to harassment and genocide by the Kyiv regime for eight years should be protected. He stated that the aims included demilitarization and the restructuring of Ukraine, with accountability for those responsible for grave crimes against civilians in Donbass. The briefing today reiterated these aims as guiding objectives for the operation.
The Ministry reported that the presence of Russian troops in blockaded Ukrainian cities hampered Kyiv forces and prevented reinforcements to the Donbass until the Russian military achieved full control over the Donbass zones of Donetsk and Luhansk. The statement underscored that early intentions did not include a broad assault, in order to avoid unnecessary destruction and minimize casualties among both personnel and civilians. While a broader offensive could be considered if needed, the emphasis remains on completing the tasks assigned to smaller units and gradually concentrating efforts on the overall liberation of Donbass.
For the first time since March 2, the Ministry provided casualty figures, noting that 1,351 soldiers had been killed and 3,825 wounded since the operation began.
The ministry added that Ukrainian airpower and air defenses were severely degraded, and the country’s naval capabilities had effectively ceased to exist. It was stated that 16 primary airfields used by Ukrainian aviation were neutralized, 39 arsenals were destroyed, containing a substantial portion of Ukraine’s military equipment stocks. The Ukrainian armed forces were described as lacking organized reserves, with mobilized and territorial defenses stepping in without sufficient training, thereby increasing the risk of heavy losses.
Over the course of the month, Ukrainian losses were estimated at around 30,000 personnel, with more than 14,000 irrecoverable and about 16,000 wounded. By February 24, substantial portions of Ukraine’s armored and air assets had been neutralized, including tanks, armored vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, and Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles. The ministry indicated that operational losses represented a significant share of the Ukrainian armed forces, totaling roughly 26 percent of the personnel involved.
The ministry also stated that the Russian military would respond immediately to disruptions of airspace over Ukraine, should they occur.
First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Sergei Rudskoy described two initial scenarios considered for the operation in Ukraine. The first scenario envisioned actions confined to the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, aligned with their constitutional boundaries. However, concerns about ongoing Ukrainian efforts to reinforce forces led to the consideration of a broader second option. This plan envisioned actions across the entire country with demilitarization and restructuring as the central objectives.
Russian perspective on the special operation
Public opinion in Russia regarding the decision to conduct the operation has shown strong support, according to a monitoring organization. The latest results indicated that a majority of Russian respondents supported the operation, with a noticeable rise in approval since late February. A segment of the population remained opposed, while a portion of respondents found it difficult to answer.
Sociologists noted that the stated objectives of the operation have remained consistent over recent weeks. The majority emphasis has been on protecting Russia, disarming Ukraine, and preventing the deployment of NATO bases on Ukrainian soil. Additional aims cited include changing the political course of Ukraine and removing what some describe as nationalist elements, while a smaller portion mentioned aims of invading and annexing Ukraine. The assessment reflects a spectrum of public opinion and interpretations of security goals in the region.