John Kirby said that since December 2022, more than 20,000 Russian soldiers have died in the conflict in Ukraine
The United States (U.S.) has said that more than 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the war intensified in the Donetsk region of Ukraine in December 2022.
The Spokesperson for White House National Security – John Kirby said that the figure was based on newly declassified U.S. Intelligence. He did not detail how the intelligence community arrived at the number. He added that about half of those killed were soldiers recruited by the private group – Wagner Group of mercenaries, which draws many of its recruits from prison populations in Russia.
The fiercest battles in the Eastern Province have been around the city of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian forces are fighting with Wagner and other forces.
Speaking on the occasion, Kirby said, “The bottom line is that Russia’s attempted offensive has backfired after months of fighting and extraordinary losses.”
He added that Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces and is unable to seize any strategically significant territory despite its military efforts. Kirby said that the U.S. is not giving estimates of Ukrainian casualties because they are the victims here and Russia is the aggressor.
Besides, as Ukraine is preparing for a renewed counteroffensive to take back land occupied by Russia, Moscow in the early hours of Monday, i.e., May 1, 2023, launched a second wave of nationwide missile strikes. Ukrainian air defences destroyed 15 out of 18 missiles launched by Russia. However, the missile attacks on the Eastern city of Pavlohrad killed 2 people and injured 40.
With regards to fighting on the ground, Kirby said that most of Russia’s efforts have stalled and failed as the battle in Bakhmut continues. He added that Russia has made incremental gains in the town that has very little strategic value.
All the missiles directed at Kyiv were destroyed in the second attack on the city in 3 days. The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine – Bridget Brink, condemned Russia’s overnight missile attack and called it “barbaric”.
In response, a Ukrainian Military Spokesperson said that Ukraine’s army was about to launch a counteroffensive and that the fire that destroyed a Russian fuel depot in Crimea on Sunday was preparatory. Russian authorities say the region has seen multiple attacks by alleged pro-Ukrainian sabotage groups, including the shelling of a village, which killed 4 civilians.
Besides, Russia has built extensive systems of military defensive works in Southern regions bordering with Ukraine, indicating Russia’s deep concern that Ukraine’s spring counter offensive could mark a major breakthrough in the conflict.
