Ukrinform news agency (Ukraine) reported, in a video message on March 12, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the Russian troops were “a great loss” in this country.
The Ukrainian leader also said that this was “the strongest blow to the Russian army”. “for decades”.
“Ukrainian Armed Forces are doing all they can to destroy all enemy intentions in Ukraine. The Russian military has suffered heavy losses.
The enemy’s losses up to the 17th day of hostilities were arguably the strongest blow to the Russian army in decades, they had never suffered so much in such a short time.”Mr Zelensky said.
The Ukrainian leader listed figures showing the appalling losses of Russian troops since the so-called “special military operations” were deployed in Ukraine:
– 31 Russian tactical battalions lost combat capability. Many groups of Russian soldiers were taken prisoner, many groups “Trying to leave Ukraine and return to Russia.”
– Russia lost more than 360 tanks, 1,205 armored vehicles, about 60 aircraft, more than 80 helicopters and hundreds of units of other advanced military equipment – “The arm they are so proud of”, Mr Zelensky said.
According to AFP, also on March 12, at a press conference with domestic and international media, President Zelensky for the first time announced the death toll of Ukrainian soldiers, namely “about 1,300 soldiers. soldiers killed”.
It is also the first time that the Ukrainian government has released an estimate of the number of casualties its military forces have had since the outbreak of war.
Mr Zelensky also added that the Russian side suffered losses “about 12,000 people”. Earlier, the Russian side on March 2 announced the death toll of its soldiers at nearly 500, but later this information was not further updated.
“The odds are 1/10, but this number doesn’t make me happy either.” said the Ukrainian leader.
AFP said Russia had sent about 150,000 troops to Ukraine in what it called a “special military operation”.
On March 12, Russian troops stepped up pressure on the capital Kiev and attacked other Ukrainian cities.
Russian airstrikes on the morning of March 12 destroyed the airport in the city of Vasylkiv, about 40 kilometers south of Kiev, while an oil depot was also hit and burned, the city’s mayor said.
Suburbs northwest of the capital, including Irpin and Bucha, have experienced days of intense shelling as Russian military vehicles move toward the northeastern rim.
Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on March 12 that the capital was strengthening its defenses, stockpiling food and medicine.
Last week, the Russian side counted Ukrainian casualties including at least 2,870 Ukrainian soldiers killed and 3,500 injured.
In a notice broadcast this morning (March 13 – Vietnam time), the Russian Ministry of Defense said that to date, the Russian Army has destroyed a total of 3,593 military targets in Ukraine, shooting down a total of 61 helicopters. 126 drones, downed 1,159 Ukrainian tanks and other armored vehicles.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Soha.vn – Read the original article here
