(LibertyInsider.org) — Russia’s military forces sustained a series of severe setbacks in the Kyiv region on the days leading up to and including Christmas, according to a statement from the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces. These losses reportedly included at least 1,010 casualties, 37 armored personnel vehicles, and 22 tanks on December 25 alone.
This information was disseminated through the General Staff’s Facebook page on December 26. The update provided a comprehensive overview of the Russian military’s setbacks during the holidays, as well as a cumulative account of losses incurred since the invasion began.
The figures presented by the Ukrainian military appear to detail staggering losses for Russia and include a shocking 354,960 personnel, 5,899 tanks, and 10,956 armored fighting vehicles. The General Staff also claimed that Russia suffered considerable losses in critical military equipment over the same time period, including artillery, aircraft, and unmanned drones.
The especially devastating losses over the holidays appear to relate to a number of ongoing Ukrainian counter-offensives playing out within the region. According to a video address shared by President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian forces shot down at least five separate Russian Su aircraft and 30 “Shahid” drones in the days leading up to Christmas.
Ukrainian forces also executed a targeted strike on a Crimean port on December 19. However, there are conflicting accounts about the extent of the damage incurred. Ukraine’s military claimed that the offensive completely annihilated the Russian landing ship Novocherkassk along with all adjacent infrastructure. Russian officials conceded only to sustaining damage to the vessel and several nearby structures, downplaying the overall impact.
The escalating death toll and reported equipment losses, if accurate, indicate that the war continues to impose a substantial burden on Russia’s military capabilities. However, it is crucial to recognize that these figures have yet to be corroborated by the country’s Armed Forces or the Kremlin.
Neither Vladimir Putin nor the Kremlin appear ready to end the invasion of Ukraine anytime soon, irrespective of these reported losses. According to a national address with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, Russia is claiming responsibility for liberating Maryinka on December 26. Kyiv has since denied the claim, countering that fierce fighting within the region continues.
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