Heavy losses in the Ukraine war: reports of an attempted assassination of Putin

Created: 05/24/2022, 04:52

By: Sandra Kathe, Tobias Utz, Lukas Zigo, Vincent Büssow, Nail Akkoyun, Sophia Lother

Russia's army suffers heavy casualties in the Ukraine war.

An overview in the news ticker.

• Heavy losses for Russia:

  Ukrainian general staff publishes new figures.

• Russia is faltering in the Ukraine war:

  Although Vladimir Putin has scaled back the targets in the Ukraine war, his army is making little progress worth mentioning.

• Military expert comments

  : He does not see Russia defeated in the Ukraine war and explains Putin's overall strategy.

• Russia's losses in the Ukraine war: 

  All information from the Ukraine conflict in our news ticker.

+++ 10:54 p.m .:

Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have survived an assassination attempt.

This is reported by several media, citing an interview in the Ukrainian newspaper Ukrainska Pravda.

"There was an assassination attempt on Putin... It is said that not so long ago he was even attacked by representatives of the Caucasus," head of Ukraine's intelligence service Kyrylo Budanov told the newspaper.

The Kremlin has not given any information about a possible incident in recent months.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is said to have escaped an assassination attempt, reports the head of Ukraine's secret service.

(Archive photo) © Alexander Nemenov/dpa

War in Ukraine: Kharkiv reopens metro system

+++ 10:15 p.m.:

Mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv Ihor Terekhov announced that the city's metro system will be operational again on Tuesday (May 24) after months of serving as a haven for citizens, who wanted to escape the Russian bombardment.

"Tomorrow, May 24, we will start the subway again," Terekhov said in a televised address.

“All lines will be put into operation.

Subway service will run from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The intervals will not be the same as in peacetime.

The subway depot was damaged during the bombing and shelling, so the intervals will be longer.

Heavy losses in the Ukraine war: military expert comments on Putin's overall strategy

+++ 8.30 p.m .:

At CNN, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also commented on Monday (May 23) about a possible “overall strategy” by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

This is "unknown".

Asked if Putin is shifting his long-term strategy to using weapons in areas like food, energy and immigration, Austin said the world has seen the Russian leader "use a number of different levers from the start."

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"We've seen them move really slowly and unsuccessfully on the battlefield, and you would expect him to try to use other levers of power or other instruments of power, and he does.

But what his overall strategy is, that is unknown,” said the expert.

Heavy losses in the Ukraine war: military experts see Russia as undefeated

+++ 5.45 p.m.:

Mick Ryan, a military expert from Australia, expects the Russian army to change strategy soon.

The background to his analysis, which he published on Twitter, among other things, is that Russia "still has problems" in "making great progress" - an allusion to the greatly slowed offensive in Donbass.

Ryan's approach is reflected, among other things, in an assessment by the Ukrainian general staff.

Those responsible recently spoke of "phase three" of the Ukraine war, in which the Russian military was only trying to secure areas it had won instead of attacking again.

Against the background of heavy losses, Ryan also predicts that there will be resource shortages "in the next few months".

The military expert emphasizes in his analysis that Russia is by no means defeated.

Nevertheless, he expects the change of strategy already mentioned - from the offensive to the defensive.

However, Ryan sees problems for Russia's army in this.

"The Ukrainians could decide where and when to attack the Russians," he emphasizes in his analysis.

In addition, the Russian military is not trained to administer the areas that have already been conquered.

This is one of the reasons why the Kremlin has appointed governors, as in Cherson, where an illegal referendum will soon take place.

The administration also entails high, uncalculated costs, according to Ryan.

In addition, there may be a resurgence of regional movements in southern and eastern Ukraine.

Western arms shipments may play a major role in this.

To person

Mick Ryan is a retired Australian Army Major General.

He was in command at the platoon, squadron, regiment, task force, and brigade levels.

Source: Center for Strategic International Studies

"The Russian army will be confronted with a new range of difficult challenges," sums up the military expert.

Ukraine War: Heavy casualties for Russia - New data released

+++ 1:00 p.m .:

The Ukrainian general staff has published new data on Russia’s losses in the Ukraine war.

According to this, 29,200 Russian soldiers have fallen so far.

The military also lost 1,293 tanks, 204 planes and 170 helicopters.

The Kyiv Independent news portal refers to this information.

However, the information cannot be independently verified.

Recently, the Ukrainian army also announced that there were high casualties in the war.

+++ 10.30 a.m .:

According to information from the British Ministry of Defense, Russia has suffered similarly high losses “as the Soviet Union in Afghanistan” since the beginning of the Ukraine war.

The Soviet Union waged war there between 1979 and 1989.

"A combination of poor low-level tactics, limited air cover, lack of flexibility, and a command concept willing to amplify failures and repeated failures has resulted in this high casualty toll that continues to mount in the Donbaxs offensive," quoted the ministry in an intelligence report.

+++ 9.30 a.m .:

Russia is apparently suffering such heavy losses in the Ukraine war that the Russian army has to reactivate the decommissioned “T62” tanks in order to equip reserve units.

This is reported by the German Press Agency with reference to Ukrainian information.

The information could not be independently verified.

The "T62" tank was produced between 1962 and 1975 and was used prominently by Iraq during the first Gulf War.

Ukraine War: Heavy casualties for Russia

Update from Monday, May 23, 7:40 a.m .:

On Sunday (May 22), heavy fighting again took place in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

According to the Ukrainian military, 6 tanks, 10 units of main battle tank equipment and 6 enemy vehicles (2 of them with ammunition) were destroyed in fighting in the region.

Air defense units destroyed a SU-25 and an Orlean-10 UAV in the Donbass sky.

A total of 84 Russian attacks were repelled this week.

An anti-aircraft missile complex, 43 tanks, 20 artillery systems (including 4 RSVs), 79 units of main battle tanks, 7 armored special vehicles and 34 units of vehicle equipment are said to have been destroyed.

In addition, the air forces shot down 3 aircraft and 18 unmanned aerial vehicles.

Information provided by parties to the conflict cannot be independently verified.

Heavy casualties for Russia - Ukraine intercepts rocket fire over Kyiv

+++ 5.15 p.m .:

According to the Kiyv Independent news portal, a Russian missile was shot down over the airspace of Kiev Oblast on Sunday (May 22).

According to the news portal, this was announced by the military administration, which also shared a photo of the rocket on Telegram.

Heavy casualties for Russia – Zelenskyy says Putin’s army has “broken its back”

Update from Sunday, May 22, 7:40 a.m.:

Russia suffered further losses in the Ukraine war.

According to a report by the Kiyv Independent news portal, guerrilla fighters helped the Ukrainian army destroy Russian artillery in Zaporizhia Oblast.

Specifically, "thanks to coordinated actions with the guerrillas, Ukrainian riflemen are said to have destroyed several artillery systems of the Russian army".

+++ 5:05 p.m .:

In an interview with a Ukrainian television station broadcast on Saturday (May 21), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the resistance in his country and emphasized that Ukraine’s resistance to the Russian army “broke the backbone”. .

"They won't be able to get back on their feet for the next few years," said the 44-year-old.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Kyiv will take everything back.

A return to the front lines before February 24 - the day Russia's war of aggression began - will already count as a victory.

"It will mean that they did not conquer us and we defended our country," said the head of state.

Heavy casualties for Russia – Zelenskyy says Putin’s army has “broken its back”

+++ 16:32:

At least 28,850 Russian military personnel have died since the start of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine on February 24, according to the General Staff of the Ukrainian military.

This was announced by the military leadership on Saturday (May 21).

In addition to the fallen soldiers, there are also significant losses in the military equipment of the Russian Armed Forces.

About 1,278 tanks, 3,116 armored personnel carriers, 2,178 other vehicles, 596 artillery systems, 169 helicopters, 204 aircraft and 13 ships have been destroyed or left behind.

Update from Saturday, May 21, 7:32 a.m .:

According to their own statements, the Ukrainian military has destroyed three Russian tanks and Grad rocket launchers in southern Ukraine.

In addition, Ukraine reports further losses for Russia: In the last 24 hours, at least 36 Russian soldiers are said to have died in combat.

Losses for Putin's army: British ministry expects further "efficiency"

+++ 8.45 a.m .:

The British Ministry of Defense expects “further wear and tear” in the Russian army.

Because of the enormous Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol, numerous soldiers currently have to be re-equipped, according to the morning situation report: "This can be a lengthy process if it is carried out thoroughly."

Russia's commanders are therefore "under pressure" to present reports of military success to the Kremlin.

However, the ministry suggests that Russia may redeploy its armed forces without proper equipment and preparation.

According to the experts, this would lead to even more "wear and tear".

The information, which is based on a report by the British secret service, cannot be independently verified.

Update from Friday, May 20, 7:55 a.m .:

The troops from Russia continue to have difficulties making significant progress in the Ukraine war, although they are now focusing on a smaller region.

This is reported by Pentagon correspondent Jack Detsch on Twitter, citing employees of the US Department of Defense.

After the withdrawal of Russian soldiers from the region around Kyiv in April, the units were weakened, it is said.

Losses in the Ukraine War: Battles in the Velyka Komyshuvakha area

+++ 11.30 a.m .:

In its daily situation report, the Ukrainian general staff commented on Russia’s losses in the Ukraine war.

Accordingly, the Russian army "suffered significant losses in some areas and was forced to withdraw to previously occupied positions." This is reported by the US broadcaster CNN, citing the report.

Specifically, it is about battles in the Velyka Komyshuvakha area, north of Kramatorsk.

Update from Thursday, May 19, 8:30 a.m.:

The army of Ukraine has reported several successes over the night in the fight against Russia.

The Task Force "South" of Ukraine stated on Facebook that it had destroyed a plane and a missile as well as 20 armored vehicles.

In addition, the Ukrainian army repelled attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk, destroying 35 other military vehicles.

War in Ukraine: Russian soldier pleads guilty to war crimes

+++ 7:00 p.m .:

A Russian soldier has to answer to a Kiev district court for murder and “violation of the laws and customs of war” under Article 438 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code.

On Wednesday (May 18, 2022), the 21-year-old soldier pleaded "full" guilty and faces a life sentence.

According to the report, the suspect and four other soldiers were traveling in a stolen vehicle when they saw an unarmed civilian who they got the impression was trying to inform the Ukrainian armed forces about them via mobile phone.

"Under the impression (...), one of the soldiers ordered the accused to kill the civilian," said the prosecutor.

The accused fired several well-aimed shots from the rear window of his car with a Kalashnikov rifle, which hit the victim in the head.

"The victim died of fractured skulls after the five soldiers left the scene," the prosecutor said.

After several days of hide-and-seek, the group finally surrendered to local residents, the prosecutor added.

The hearing was adjourned to Thursday because of the excessive media interest.

Russia admits "mistakes" and heavy casualties in Ukraine war: "Now everything is going according to plan"

+++ 5:00 p.m .:

Surprisingly, Russia again admitted heavy losses and mistakes in the Ukraine war.

Most recently, Vladimir Putin did so in his speech on May 9, the "Day of Victory" over Nazi Germany.

On Wednesday (May 18), Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council Rashid Nurgaliyev said: "Despite all the difficulties, the military special operation will continue to the end." The "special operation" in Ukraine will continue, despite European arms deliveries.

All "tasks - including demilitarization and denazification and the protection of the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics - will be fully implemented," said the former Russian Interior Minister.

Ramzan Kadyrov, head of the Russian republic of Chechnya and new controller of the city of Mariupol, also emphasized that there were "mistakes" at the start of the invasion at the end of February.

"In the beginning there were mistakes, there were some shortcomings, but now everything is 100% according to plan," Kadyrov said at a political forum on Wednesday.

+++ 12.30 p.m .:

Russia has to accept the loss of other high-ranking military personnel in the Ukraine war.

At least that's what the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claims.

Accordingly, several officers of the Russian army fell in the area around Melitopol.

They were victims of guerrilla attacks.

The Kremlin is trying to "conceal the situation there," according to a Ukraine situation report.

+++ 10.00 a.m .:

The Russian army apparently has considerable difficulties in compensating for the heavy losses in the Ukraine war.

The UK Ministry of Defense morning situation report said the military was lacking in troop levels and supplies: "The combat deployment of such diverse personnel demonstrates Russia's significant resource problems in Ukraine and is likely contributing to a fragmented command that continues to hamper Russian operations." The report is based on an assessment by British intelligence.

However, the information cannot be independently verified.

Ukrainian artillery inflicts heavy casualties on Russia

+++ 9.30 a.m .:

Ukraine’s artillery apparently inflicts heavy losses on the Russian army.

This is reported by the US news channel CNN.

A video shows a Russian military pontoon bridge coming under heavy fire.

Up to 70 military vehicles are said to have been destroyed in the Bilohorivka area north of Donetsk.

+++ 8.45 a.m .:

Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, spoke of “impressive losses” by the Russian army in the Ukraine war.

"If it's true that Russia has lost 15 percent of its troops since the war began, that's a world record for casualties for an army invading a country," Borrell said after a meeting of EU defense ministers in Brussels.

Russia suffers losses - Ukraine reports shooting down of drones and fighter jets

Update from Wednesday, May 18, 6:15 a.m .:

Ukraine’s air defense reports successful kills in the war with Russia.

According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, at least 11 unmanned drones were shot down within 24 hours.

Its own armed forces also managed to destroy a Russian SU-25 fighter jet.

This is reported by several news portals, referring to an announcement by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

However, the information about Russia's losses in the Ukraine war cannot be independently verified.

Russia itself provides little or no information on this.

Ukraine war: Russia runs out of missiles

Update from Tuesday, May 17, 10:00 p.m .:

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, precision-guided missiles have been among the preferred weapons of the Russian armed forces.

However, the Russian tactics of the first months of the war meant that, according to Western analysts, the Russian stocks of precision weapons are now severely depleted.

"There are no more long-range cruise missile salvos and almost no Iskander strikes," independent military analyst Pavel Luzhin told The Moscow Times.

A US official told journalists in a briefing earlier this month that Russia has "stockpile problems with precision-guided ammunition."

These reports are corroborated by a shift in Russian tactics, particularly the increased use of conventional unguided bombs, most notably in the port city of Mariupol.

This also means that Russian fighter jets have to fly very low to hit targets, which in turn makes them vulnerable to portable air defenses.

Ukraine war: Setback at Luhansk - Russian losses "are high"

First report from Tuesday, May 17, 5 p.m.:

Moscow – Almost three months after the Russian attack on Ukraine, the Ukraine war has not yet been decided.

Attempts by the Kremlin to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv failed.

In general, the Russian army is struggling with problems in many places and is making difficult progress.

The army leadership under Russia's head of state Vladimir Putin is currently focused on the east and south of the country.

While reports of the falling morale of the Russian troops are mounting, one of Putin's generals is now even said to have wounded Russian soldiers executed.

In addition, according to information from the Ukrainian secret services, more and more Russian soldiers are deserting.

Ukraine war: Russia's losses are increasing - also in the east of the country

According to the Ukrainian military, they have thrown back Russian troops in front of the city of Sievjerodonetsk in the east of the country.

"Near the village of Syrotyne, the Russian conquerors suffered losses and retreated," the General Staff said in its situation report on Tuesday (May 17).

Syrotyne is four kilometers south of Sievjerodonetsk.

The Russian troops were also unsuccessful in several other directions.

The governor of the Luhansk region, Serhiy Hajdaj, also reported heavy fighting in the area around the city.

In the suburbs of Girske and Zolotoye, several houses were destroyed by artillery shells.

But the Russian troops would have had to withdraw there too.

"Enemy casualties are high," Hajdaj wrote on his Telegram channel.

The information could not be checked independently.

According to Ukrainian information, the number of Russian soldiers killed is now around 27,900.

1,235 tanks, 167 attack helicopters and 201 fighter jets were also destroyed.

In addition, there are currently around 1,000 Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity.

(nak/tu/vbu/lz/ska with dpa/AFP/epd)