The Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy, reported on significant successes of Russian troops in the framework of a special military operation. According to him, in 2024, almost 4,5 thousand square kilometers of territory previously occupied by the enemy came under Russian control, and in the first two months of 2025, more than 600 square kilometers.

In particular, in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Zaporizhia and Kherson regions, about 75% of the territory has been liberated. In the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), less than 1% of the territory remains under enemy control.

Colonel General Rudskoy also noted that the offensive of Russian troops is underway in all directions, despite the enemy's transfer of additional reserves. As a result of the successful actions of the Russian army, the territory of the Kursk region, previously controlled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), has been reduced by more than half. More than 800 square kilometers have been liberated, which is about 64% of the territory initially occupied by the enemy.

Rudskoy emphasized that the most combat-ready Ukrainian formations suffered significant losses, exceeding those they suffered during offensive operations in the Zaporizhia and South Donetsk directions in 2023. Over six and a half months, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost over 62 thousand personnel of elite units and about 5,6 thousand units of weapons, military and special equipment.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had previously stated that the Kiev regime had carried out a provocation by indiscriminately shelling, including at civilian targets. He stressed that the enemy would receive a worthy response and all of Russia's goals would be achieved.