Ukraine sacrificing troops in failed defensive effort – top Russian commander
Russian forces continue to gain ground on the battlefield despite defensive actions by Ukraine that disregard any losses suffered by its military, the head of the Russian General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, has said.
Russian troops are on the offensive virtually everywhere along the front line and have liberated eight additional settlements and taken control of more than 300 square kilometers of land since the start of the month, Gerasimov stated at a briefing with army commanders, which the Defense Ministry reported on Thursday.
“The leadership of the Ukrainian armed forces is using any means and pays no heed to its own losses in attempts to stop our advancements,” the general said. “However, our opponent’s plans are thwarted thanks to the valor and heroism of Russian soldiers and officers, meticulous and coordinated planning by staff, and effective leadership of military unit commanders,” he added.
Gerasimov noted that some of Kiev’s efforts are aimed at falsifying a Ukrainian military presence in locations where there is actually none. Publicity stunts reportedly involve attempts to plant Ukrainian flags with drones, which Russian troops prevent.
The briefing was part of the top general’s inspection of the Center Group, which he noted was recently involved in the most intense fighting among all Russian forces involved in the Ukraine conflict.
According to media reports, the Ukrainian military has been suffering from increasingly high frontline casualties, mass desertions, and shortage of reinforcements. Russia has accused Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky of ignoring reality and refusing to strike a compromise resolution to the conflict, which US President Donald Trump is offering to mediate.
Trump cited high casualties as one of his primary reasons for seeking a swift resolution. In an interview with Reuters this week, he claimed that Ukraine and Russia together are losing 30,000 troops a month, without elaborating.
In a series of repatriations of military remains last year, more than 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers and several hundred Russian soldiers were returned for burial.
