Ukraine Blunting Russian Advance In Bakhmut

Russian forces are continuing to encircle Bakhmut, Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi, commander of the Ground Forces of Ukraine, said as he visited the city.

Photo Insert: Ukrainian forces appear to be setting conditions for controlled fighting withdrawal from parts of Bakhmut.

"The enemy does not give up hope of capturing Bakhmut and continues accumulating forces to occupy it," he added, Ukraine Daily reported.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Ukrainian forces appear to be setting conditions for controlled fighting withdrawal from parts of Bakhmut.

Geolocated footage posted that day confirmed that two critical bridges in the Bakhmut area — one across the Bakhmutivka River in northeastern Bakhmut and one along the Khromove-Bakhmut route just west of Bakhmut—were destroyed to impede the Russian advance.

Public data suggest more than 16,000 Russian soldiers have been killed during the first year of all-out war in Ukraine.

At least 16,071 Russian soldiers have died since Feb. 24, 2022, according to BBC Russia, which carries out a name-by-name count of the dead together with Mediazona, a Russian independent media outlet.

Russia's total irretrievable losses, which include wounded, killed, or missing people, may amount to at least 144,500 people.

However, the Ukrainian General Staff claimed that Russia has lost 152,190 troops in Ukraine since the start of full-scale war.

Russia has also lost 3,409 tanks, 6,683 armored fighting vehicles, 5,289 vehicles and fuel tanks, 2,414 artillery systems, 487 multiple launch rocket systems, 247 air defense systems, 302 airplanes, 289 helicopters, 2,066 drones, and 18 boats.

WEEKLY FEATURE : MVP Group Keeps Lights On During Pandemic