As a result of Ukraine’s resistance to a major offensive by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, the White House reported on Monday that it now believes Russia has only sustained 100,000 casualties since December, including 20,000 fatalities.
The heaviest fights in what has evolved into an attrition-driven conflict have occurred in the eastern Donetsk region, where Russia is battling to encircle the city of Bakhmut against tenacious Ukrainian defense.
According to John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, the U.S. assessment is based on recently released American intelligence. He made no mention of how the number was arrived at by the intelligence community.
The “road of life” has come to be recognized as the last road west still in Ukrainian hands, making it crucial for supplies and new troops.
Russian Wagner mercenary forces and other forces are fighting Ukrainian troops house-to-house to take control of it. Both sides have hailed gains in recent days.
The commander of Ukrainian ground forces, Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, claimed that despite Russia continuing to make “maximum effort” to seize the city, their efforts have been ineffective.
He claimed that our soldiers counterattacked the enemy in various areas of the city, and some positions were abandoned.
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