The Russian army has already lost “4,000 soldiers” in the eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka: “one of the largest losses this year” | Ukraine-Russia war

During a telephone conversation with his American colleague Lloyd Austin, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustam Omerov spoke about additional military support from Washington to Kiev. The Pentagon later announced this. According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Omerov also provided some updates on the situation in Avdiivka, a suburb of Donetsk where Russia has intensified its offensive in recent weeks with the aim of encircling the city.

But according to Omirov, the encirclement is far from smooth. During his conversation with Austin, he claimed that about 4,000 Russian soldiers had already died at Avdiivka. The Russians deployed a total of eight brigades throughout the city.

The British Ministry of Defense also said in a new report that Russia has already suffered its “worst losses of 2023” at Avdiivka. According to the ministry, the Russian army faces the same difficulties as it faces in other Ukrainian regions. “Political leaders are demanding more and territory has been seized, but the army is unable to carry out an effective offensive at the operational level.”

The American research center “Institute for the Study of War” (ISW) confirmed earlier this week that Russia is suffering not only human losses, but also significant material losses in Avdiivka. Hundreds of armored vehicles have reportedly been destroyed in recent weeks. “The loss of military equipment is likely to undermine Russian offensive capabilities in the long term,” the institute said.