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LPR forces advance 61 kilometers since start of operation — Russian Defense Ministry

On February 24, the Russian president announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics

MOSCOW, March 1. /TASS/. The armed forces of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) have advanced 61 kilometers since the start of the operation, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov said on Tuesday.

"Since the start of the operation, the forces of the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) have advanced 61 kilometers with the fire support of the Russian Armed Forces, blocking the Svatovo settlement. The Novoborovoye, Barykino, Klimovkla, Bulgakov and Golubovka have been taken under control. The forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic have conducted successful offensive activities, taking control of the Ivanovka, Talakovka, Starodubrovka, Berestovoye, and Belotserkovka settlements. The forces advanced by 19 kilometers in the past day," Konashenkov pointed out.

According to him, the advance parties of the DPR People’s Militia have reached the administrative border of the Donetsk region, joining with Russian troops tasked with taking control of areas along the coast of the Sea of Azov.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation based on a request from the heads of the Donbass republics. The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukrainian territories and the goal was to demilitarize and denazify the country. Russia’s Defense Ministry reported later that the Russian Armed Forces were not delivering strikes against Ukrainian cities. The ministry emphasized that the Ukrainian military infrastructure was being destroyed by precision weapons and there was no threat to civilians.

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