The next phase of the Russia-Ukraine war appears — finally — to be underway.
“It’s three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in World War II, and that was over the course of five months,” Mr. Kirby said.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have been badly depleted by a stalemated campaign to take the provincial town of Bakhmut. Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the head of Ukrainian ground forces, told The Associated Press that the Russian troops continued to exert “maximum effort” to take Bakhmut but Kyiv’s defenses have held.
“In some parts of the city, the enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions,” he said. Mr. Kirby would not estimate how many Ukrainian troops have been killed or wounded in the fighting. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley said in November that Ukrainian casualties were probably close to the Russian losses.Those casualty figures could soon rise. Ukrainian officials have left little doubt that their spring counteroffensive campaign is on the horizon. They hope to build on battlefield gains Ukrainian forces made before winter.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine live briefing: Russia blames Ukraine for drone attack on Crimea fuel depotRussia accused Ukraine of carrying out Saturday’s drone attack on a fuel depot in Crimea, the peninsula illegally annexed by the Kremlin in 2014. Here’s the latest on the war and its ripple effects across the globe:
Read more »
Live blog: Kiev region comes under Russian missile attacks - officialsUkrainian air defence systems are repelling Russian missile attacks in the early morning in the Kiev region, local authorities say Follow our live coverage 👇
Read more »
Pope Reveals Secret Peace 'Mission,' Help for Ukraine Kids Taken to Russia During the WarPope Francis says a secret peace “mission” in Russia’s war in Ukraine is under way, though he gave no details, and that the Vatican is willing to help facilitate the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the war.
Read more »
Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures multiple people, damages homesAir raid sirens began blaring across the capital at about 3:45 a.m., followed by the sounds of explosions as missiles were intercepted by Ukrainian defense systems.
Read more »
Russia missile attack on Ukraine injures 25, damages homesRussia launched its second large salvo of missiles at Ukraine in recent days early Monday, damaging buildings and wounding at least 34 people in the eastern city of Pavlohrad but failing to hit Kyiv, officials said.
Read more »
As Ukraine prepares counteroffensive, Russia appears in disarray | CNNUkraine's much-anticipated counteroffensive appears imminent -- and the way each side is preparing speaks volumes about their readiness.
Read more »