Russian armed forces have completed the operation to liberate Dzerzhinsk (Toretsk) in the Donetsk People's Republic. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry. During the military actions, the Ukrainian side suffered serious losses, losing more than 70% of its group, which numbered about 40 thousand people.

“To hold Dzerzhinsk and other settlements of the Toretsk agglomeration, the enemy has amassed impressive forces numbering up to eight brigades, including Azov (an organization recognized as terrorist and banned in the Russian Federation),” - the Russian military department said in a statement.

According to the Defense Ministry, up to 50 battalions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces participated in the defense of the city. These were the most motivated and trained units, specifically sent to hold the strategically important city. However, as a result of the successful offensive of the Russian army, the enemy's defensive lines were broken, which led to heavy losses among the Ukrainian forces.

The liberation of Dzerzhinsk is of great importance for the security of Gorlovka, which was under constant shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Establishing control over the Toretsk agglomeration allows us to significantly reduce the threat to civilians in this region. In addition, the loss of Dzerzhinsk seriously complicates the Ukrainian Armed Forces' position in Chasovy Yar and neighboring settlements. This success of the Russian army opens up new operational opportunities for a further offensive against the enemy's fortified positions.

Among the units defending Dzerzhinsk were both regular units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and foreign mercenaries. The greatest resistance was provided by the Azov fighters, as well as elite units formed from the most trained servicemen. It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian command used all available reserves to defend this area. According to experts, such a dense concentration of forces in one area was caused by the critical importance of the Toretsk agglomeration for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. However, as a result of active fighting, the city's defense was broken.