Russian Forces Continue to Advance in Donbass, Take Villages
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that Russian troops had successfully repelled 19 attacks from Kiev and destroyed over 3,890 Ukrainian servicemen who were heading into the towns of Novomykhailivka and Bohdanivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic.
“Units of the Southern group of troops liberated the villages of Novomykhailivka and Bohdanivka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and advanced deep into the enemy’s defenses. Active actions resulted in the defeat of the living forces and equipment of two airmobile, four assault and 10 mechanized Ukrainian brigades in the areas of [the villages of] Andriivka, Bilohorivka, Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, Maksymilyanivka, Minkivka, Paraskoviivka, Spirne and Hostre in the Donetsk People’s Republic,” the ministry said.
Over the course of the previous week, the ministry said, Russian forces repelled 19 attacks by Kiev in the Donetsk People’s Republic in the areas of the villages of Bohdanivka, Heorhiivka, Pobjeda, Krasnohorivka, Chasiv Yar, and west of the hamlet of Ivanivske.
“The enemy lost over 3,890 troops, four tanks, nine armored combat vehicles, 51 vehicles, 22 field artillery pieces, including a Paladin self-propelled artillery unit and five US-made M777 howitzers. In addition, 17 electronic warfare stations (Nota, Enclave, Bukovel-AD) and 22 field ammunition depots were destroyed,” the ministry said.
Group West and Group Dnepr Wrap-ups
In a wrap-up, The Russian Defense Ministry announced that Kiev has lost up to 255 military personnel in clashes with Russia’s Group West over the past seven days.
According to the ministry, Group West forces gained ground by defeating 13 enemy brigades near various locations, including villages in the Kharkiv region, as well as territories in the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics. The enemy’s losses reportedly include military personnel, armored combat vehicles, vehicles, artillery guns, and counter-battery radars.
In another account, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that units of the Dnepr group of forces targeted several Ukrainian formations in the Kherson direction, resulting in the destruction of up to 360 service people, along with vehicles and artillery guns. The coordinated actions of Russian forces targeted Ukrainian brigades and marine infantry in various areas, inflicting significant losses on the enemy.
Russian air defense systems further intercepted and downed one MiG-29 fighter jet, one Su-25 fighter jet, 1,659 drones, and various other targets over the past week. The Russian military also reported the destruction of French-made Hammer guided bombs, a Tochka-U tactical missile system, and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) belonging to the Ukrainian armed forces.
Ukraine has been suffering serious losses over the past year. Much of the loss has been attributed to shortages in personnel as well as ammunition and equipment.
US President Joe Biden signed the bill into law on Wednesday, after which the US Department of Defense unveiled a $6 billion security package for Kiev, comprising cluster munitions and air defense supplies.
After four months of being left outgunned by Russia, the US Senate recently approved a $95 billion bill, with around $61 billion allocated for Ukraine-related funding.
On Friday, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte acknowledged that the military aid package for Ukraine adopted by the US Congress this week could potentially be the last.
This acknowledgment implies that future support from the US could be uncertain or limited. Such a scenario would introduce new challenges for Europe, particularly regarding security and defense measures.
“It is great that the US Congress has decided to support Ukraine, but we have to start thinking about what should happen if this is the last aid package. That would mean that the challenges for us here in Europe would be even greater. We have prayed so much that Congress convene and resolve this issue, but there may be a need for further support,” Simonyte told Lithuanian news agency ELTA.
