Ukraine War: Putin’s Losses Mount as Attacks Intensify

Russia has lost more than 8,000 troops in the past week alone as it launches new offensives amid improving spring weather, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky Reports Russian Losses

“This week, we have observed attempts by the Russians to intensify their offensive efforts, taking advantage of more favourable weather conditions. As a result, the only tangible outcome for the Russian army has been an increase in their losses – more than 8,000 killed and seriously wounded Russian soldiers in just these seven days,” Zelensky said in his nightly address.

Zelensky also warned of a potential shortage of US-supplied Patriot air defence missiles if the conflict in the Middle East continues, stating that Vladimir Putin will benefit from a “long war” in Iran.

He told the BBC that the US produces approximately 60 to 65 Patriot missiles monthly, totaling roughly 600 to 700 annually. He noted that 103 missiles were used on the first day of the Iran war alone, predicting a “definite” deficit and questioning when stockpiles in the Middle East would be exhausted.

“For Putin, a long war in Iran is a plus,” as resources deplete, he added.

Ukrainian soldiers have credited the loss of Starlink access for Russian forces as essential to their counter-offensive. A soldier identified as Konosh, from the Timur Special Forces Unit, told the Wall Street Journal, “It came at a critical moment…Without Starlink, they were basically pushed back to Cold War-era communications.”

Oleksiy Serdiuk, commander of the Brotherhood unit of the Timur Special Forces Unit, confirmed that the number of drones targeting Ukrainian forces decreased after Starlink access was cut off. “Before, if the enemy spotted our group, even a single soldier, they wouldn’t let him go. They would throw everything at him,” he said.

Zelensky also stated that he and US delegations concluded a second day of talks in Florida on finding ways to end the four-year war with Russia. He indicated that further prisoner of war exchanges may be possible.

Kenyan nationals enlisted by Russia to fight in Ukraine will be granted amnesty upon their return home, according to Kenya’s foreign minister. So far, 44 Kenyans have been safely repatriated, with 11 reported missing or killed, 38 hospitalized, and 160 still actively involved in the conflict.

A fuel reservoir in Russia’s port of Primorsk caught fire following a drone attack, according to governor Alexander Drozdenko. He reported that 35 drones have been shot down over the region in recent attacks.

Poland’s prime minister Donald Tusk responded to a Washington Post report alleging that Hungary has been providing Russia with detailed information from EU Council meetings, stating, “The news…shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone.” Hungarian foreign minister Péter Szijjártó called Tusk’s comments “fake news.”