Shoigu reported about 26,000 dead soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the beginning of the counteroffensive

The Armed Forces of Ukraine (UAF) have lost over 26,000 troops since the start of their counteroffensive. This was stated by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, writes “RIA News”.

The Ukrainian army also lost about 3,000 units of various weapons. According to the minister, the Russian Armed Forces destroyed 17 German Leopard tanks, 12 American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and five French AMX wheeled tanks. “Destroyed <...> 1244 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles,” Shoigu said.

In addition, since the beginning of June, the Russian army has destroyed 914 units of special military vehicles. “Two anti-aircraft missile systems, 25 combat vehicles of multiple launch rocket systems, 403 field artillery pieces and mortars,” the minister listed.

According to Shoigu, this is an “important figure”, since the main damage “is always carried out by artillery.” Also, 43 American M777 artillery systems and 46 self-propelled artillery mounts from the United States, France and Poland were destroyed, he said.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine began offensive operations on June 4, the Russian authorities reported. The Kremlin said that the counter-offensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was “choking,” and Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed on June 9 that the Ukrainian army was unable to achieve its goals in any sector.

On July 7, National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, Jake Sullivan, during a briefing, announced that the United States would send cluster munitions to Ukraine. He acknowledged that the use of cluster munitions posed a threat to the lives of civilians, but, according to Sullivan, Ukraine provided the United States with written guarantees that the munitions would be used “with care.”

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova named the US decision to supply cluster munitions is a “gesture of desperation” and “evidence of impotence against the backdrop of the failure of the publicized Ukrainian counter-offensive.” Cluster munitions are banned in over 100 countries. The parties that ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions pledged “never and under no circumstances” to use, produce or acquire cluster munitions, or to stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly. Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign this treaty.