Over the past five months, Russian army accounts for 100,000 wounded and killed – among more than 20,000 dead – in the battles for Bahamut, according to the White House, citing US intelligence estimates.

Recently, fighting has been concentrated in the eastern part of the country, control over the industrial region of Donbass is at stake, especially in the city of Bakhmut, which is almost completely destroyed. The fighting in this city, where both sides suffer heavy losses, has been going on since the summer of 2022. The reports of the opposing sides about the course of the fighting there cannot be verified independently.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters today that the death toll and wounded are based on US intelligence estimates. These losses include more than 20,000 dead, abouthalf of whom fought for the Wagner mercenary group.

“Russia’s attempt to attack Donbass through Bakhmut in the first place failed,” Kirby commented. “Russia failed to capture a single really important strategic object,” he added. He acknowledged that the Russians had made some territorial gains in Bakhmut, but added that this territorial conquest had come at a “terrible cost”, stating that Ukrainian defenses in the area remained strong.

“These numbers are really shocking,” Kirby added, stating that casualties were three times the number of American casualties in the Battle of Guadalcanal in World War II.

In conclusion, the White House national security spokesman said that another package of American weapons to Ukraine would be announced soon.

Source: Reuters, APE-MPE.