Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation - 2024-03-22

Today, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a massive long-range air-launched, sea-launched, ground-based and unmanned aerial attack against power facilities, military industrial complex, rail-road hubs, arsenals, deployment areas of AFU troops and foreign mercenaries. The strike disrupted the functioning of the manufacturing enterprises involved in issuing and repairing weapons, military hardware and ammunition. In addition, foreign military equipment and weapons delivered to Ukraine from NATO countries have been destroyed, the transfer of enemy reserves to the front line has been disrupted, and AFU and mercenary units have been neutralised in reconstitution areas. All the targets have been achieved. From 16 to 22 March 2024, in response to shelling of Russian territory, attempts to break through, and capture Russian border settlements, the Russian Armed Forces carried out 49 air high-precision strikes, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, missile systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The strikes hit AFU decision making centres, airfield infrastructure, an armament and military hardware repair workshop, UAV storage depots, and uncrewed surface vehicles, logistics support bases, as well as temporary deployment areas of special operations forces and foreign mercenaries. ▫️ In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces have engaged the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the areas of Kotlyarovka, Berestovoye, Kislovka, Yagodnoye, Timkovka (Kharkov region), Chervonaya Dibrova and Nadiya (Lugansk People’s Republic). Thirteen counter-attacks of assault groups of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, the 30th and 32nd Mechanised brigades, as well as of the 18th Ukrainian National Guard Brigade close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region) and Terny (Donetsk People’s Republic) have been repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 400 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, three armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, and 19 field artillery guns. Over the past week, Ukrainian fighters attempted to breach the border areas of Belgorod and Kursk regions. All the attacks have been repelled by the coordinated actions of the Russian State border covering force. ▫️ In Belgorod direction, more than 3,000 Ukrainian servicemen and militants of terrorist formations, seven tanks, 15 armoured vehicles, and 17 motor vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been eliminated during the week. ▫️ In Donetsk direction, the Yug Group of Forces has liberated the Alebastrovaya railway station (Donetsk People’s Republic) and improved the situation along the front line. One airborne assault brigade, one tank brigade, two airmobile brigades, four mechanised brigades, and three assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as three territorial defence brigades have been hit close to Razdolovka, Krasnoye, Andreyevka, Kleshcheyevka, Kurdyumovka, Konstantinovka, and Georgiyevka (Donetsk People’s Republic). Ten counter-attacks of the AFU 46th and 81st airmobile brigades have been repelled near Belogorovka, Krasnogorovka, and Novomikhailovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The enemy losses amounted to more than 1,885 Ukrainian troops, six tanks, 13 armoured fighting vehicles, 41 motor vehicles, 17 field artillery guns, and nine field ammunition depots. ▫️ In Avdeyevka direction, the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Orlovka and Tonenkoye (Donetsk People’s Republic) in cooperation with aviation and artillery. ▫️ Strikes were delivered at manpower and hardware of seven brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Berdychi, Netaylovo, Semenovka, Pervomayskoye, Novogorodskoye, Umanskoye, and Ocheretino (Donetsk People’s Republic). Forty-two counter-attacks of the AFU’s 47th Mechanised, 59th Motorised Infantry, 78th Air Assault, and 3rd Assault brigades have been repelled close to Leninskoye, Novobakhmutovka, Orlovka, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People’s Republic). Over 2,195 Ukrainian troops, two tanks, 21 armoured fighting vehicles, 65 motor vehicles, and 28 field artillery guns have been eliminated during the week. ▫️ In South Donetsk direction, the Vostok Group of Forces liberated Mirnoye (Zaporozhye region) and improved its tactical position along the front line. In addition, strikes were delivered at units of the 1st of Ukrainian National Guard Brigade, 127th and 128th territorial defence brigades close to Shakhterskoye, Rovnopol, and Urozhaynoye (Donetsk People’s Republic). Five counter-attacks of the AFU 72nd mechanised, 58th motorised infantry brigades have been repelled close to Urozhaynoye and Vladimirovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 935 Ukrainian troops, three tanks, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, and seven field artillery guns.