Russian Defence Ministry on progress of special military operation as of 21 March 2026
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.
Units of the Sever Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one airmobile brigade, one air assault brigade, one assault regiment of the AFU, and two territorial defence brigades near Potapovka, Novaya Sech, and Miropolye (Sumy region).
In Kharkov region, losses were inflicted on units of three mechanised brigades, one motorised infantry brigade of the AFU, and one territorial defence brigade near Chuguyev, Peschannoye, Kolodeznoye, and Izbitskoye (Kharkov region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 220 troops, eight motor vehicles, and one U.S.-made 155-mm M114 howitzer. In addition, two materiel depot were destroyed.
Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one assault brigade, and one territorial defence brigade near Novoosinovo, Borovaya, Shiykovka (Kharkov region), Svyatogorsk, Krasny Liman (Donetsk People’s Republic).
The AFU losses amounted more than 180 troops, one tank, four armoured fighting vehicles, including two western-made samples. In addition, 25 motor vehicles and two ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Yuzhnaya Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Losses were inflicted on formations of four mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, and one mountain assault brigade of the AFU near Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Krivaya Luka, Ilyinovka, Artem, and Konstantinovka (Donetsk People’s Republic).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 190 troops, seven armoured fighting vehicles, including one German-made Marder infantry fighting vehicle and one U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier.
Moreover, 10 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, two electronic warfare stations, one ammunition depot, and two materiel depots were destroyed.
Units of the Tsentr Group of Forces improved the situation along the front line. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one infantry brigade, one airborne brigade, one assault brigade of the AFU, one marine brigade, and two national guard brigades near Belitskoye, Grishino, Dobropolye, Krasnoyarskoye, Rayskoye, Kutuzovka (Donetsk People’s Republic), and Novopodgorodnoye (Dnepropetrovsk region).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 370 troops, 11 armoured fighting vehicles, 24 motor vehicles, seven field artillery guns, including two U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzers. Two electronic warfare stations and two ammunition depots were destroyed.
Units of the Vostok Group of Forces advanced into the depths of enemy defences. Losses were inflicted on formations of one mechanised brigade, two air assault brigades, two assault brigades, and five assault regiments of the AFU near Boykovo, Lesnoye, Chervoniy Yar, Kievskoye, Dolinka, and Vozdvizhevka (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to more than 305 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one electronic warfare station, and one materiel depot.
Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of one mechanised brigade, one motorised infantry brigade, and one mountain assault brigade of the AFU near Orekhov, Preobrazhenka, Kamyshevakha, and Zaporozhets (Zaporozhye region).
The AFU losses amounted to up to 45 troops, five motor vehicles, four electronic warfare stations, and one materiel depot.
Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces struck power and transport infrastructure objects used by the AFU, UAV control posts as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries in 137 areas.
Air defence units shot down nine guided aerial bombs and 668 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the enemy has lost:
671 aircraft,
284 helicopters,
125,893 unmanned aerial vehicles,
652 anti-aircraft missile systems,
28,392 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,
1,690 MLRS combat vehicles,
33,982 field artillery guns and mortars,
57,407 units of support military vehicles.