Russia suffers heavy losses in war Ukraine. At the same time, satellite images reveal that they are now preparing for a Ukrainian counter-offensive.
– The Russian attempts have failed, says White House spokesman John Kirby.
That Ukraine stood up to Russia’s invasion surprisingly well is no secret.
After a year of fighting, however, the country and the rest of the world feared the Russians’ infamous large-scale spring offensive. It is now revealed to have failed – big time.
According to new calculations from the US, no less than 20,000 Russian soldiers have died – since the turn of the year. The calculation was made by the US National Security Council using intelligence reports, the council’s spokesman John Kirby announced late yesterday.
– In December last year, Russia began major military operations in several areas including Vuhledar, Vilkha, Bachmut and Crimea. Most of the attempts have failed, notes Kirby.
In November, the US military stated that 100,000 Russians had been injured since the invasion began.
Gearing up for a Ukrainian counterattack
Last week, new satellite images revealed that the Russians now also appear to be preparing for a counter-offensive. The images show thousands of defensive positions in the form of kilometer-long anti-tank ditches and rows of concrete barricades, so-called “dragon’s teeth”.
Six military experts have made the assessment that the fortifications have mostly been built in the wake of Ukraine’s effective autumn offensive, Reuters reports. This time, according to the experts, it may be more difficult for Ukraine to achieve success.
– The question is whether Ukraine can carry out this type of warfare. The Russians have shown they can’t do it and have therefore gone back to their old Soviet method of attrition, said Neil Melvin, an analyst at the Royal United Services Insitute (RUSI).