Defense Ministry: the Ukrainian armed forces have pulled up eight brigades in an attempt to hold Dzerzhynsk

The Ukrainian army has deployed eight brigades, including representatives of the nationalist Azov battalion (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation), to hold the town of Dzerzhynsk (Ukrainian name Toretsk) in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR). This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry on February 7.

"In total, up to 50 battalions. The total strength of the enemy grouping amounted to more than 40,000 servicemen. Among them are the most motivated and loyal to the Banderite regime nationalist formations, including the Azov brigade, as well as units of foreign mercenaries," the ministry said.

The Russian army took control of Dzerzhinsk in the DNR earlier in the day. This was due to the work of units of the 1st, 9th and 132nd Guards separate motorized rifle brigades of the 51st Army and the volunteer formation "Veterans" of the troops grouping "Center". The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian army lost more than 26,000 troops during the hostilities

The city of Dzerzhinsk in the DNR: where it is located and why it is important for the SVOs

Russian Armed Forces liberate the Ukrainian town of Toretsk, which will revert to its Russian name

In addition, the village of Druzhba in the Donetsk People's Republic was also taken under control on February 7.

On the same day, the ministry showed footage of the liberation of Dzerzhinsk in the DNR. They show the destruction of military equipment, strongholds and personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24, 2022, continues. The decision was made against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.

For more current video and details on the situation in Donbass, see Izvestia TV channel.