The fierce fighting all across the battlefield in Ukraine continues.
The Ukrainian counteroffensive in southern Ukraine and the Donbas is making progress, while the Russian forces are attacking in the east in an attempt to distract Kyiv and lessen the pressure of the fighting elsewhere.
Ukraine Counteroffensive and Unconventional Warfare
The Ukrainian forces continue to make slow but steady progress in their large-scale counteroffensive.
In the Western Zaporizhzhia Oblast, south of the city of Orikhiv, the Ukrainian military has advanced more than six miles into the Russian defensive lines. But the Ukrainian counteroffensive is still facing layers and layers of Russian fortifications.
In the same sector in Western Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the Ukrainian units would have to breach three additional defensive lines to push through to the rear of the Russian forces. This is tough and bloody work that requires a lot of stamina and patience.
Meanwhile, in the occupied Crimean Peninsula, the Ukrainian long-range strikes and sabotage continue to weaken the Russian logistical network that supports combat operations in many parts of Ukraine.
Over the weekend, the Ukrainian Military Intelligence, or GUR, released footage of the destruction of a large ammunition depot in the Kozacha Bay in Sevastopol. The largest city and port in Crimea, Sevastopol, is heavily guarded by the Russian military. Ukraine’s ability to take out important logistical nodes and attack warships within the harbor is indicative of its unconventional warfare capabilities.
The United States military and NATO have worked closely with the Ukrainian forces in special operations. American Green Berets from the 10th Special Forces Group have been training Ukrainian commandos in and out of Ukraine since at least 2014, while British Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS) operators are in Ukraine now training their Ukrainian counterparts.
If events so far offer a glimpse of the Ukrainian military’s unconventional warfare capabilities, it is fair to say that they are learning fast.
Russian Casualties in Ukraine
On day 524 of the war, the Russian forces continued to lose an average of around 500 men killed, wounded, or captured. Interestingly, although the Ukrainian forces have committed additional reserves in the counteroffensive, which suggests heavier fighting, the rate of Russian casualties remains low compared to similar situations in the war before.
Overall, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claimed that as of Monday, Ukrainian forces have killed and wounded approximately 246,190 Russian troops, destroyed 322 fighter, attack, bomber, and transport jets, 311 attack and transport helicopters, 4,211 tanks, 4,816 artillery pieces, 8,188 armored personnel carriers, and infantry fighting vehicles, 699 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), 18 boats and cutters, 7,292 vehicles, and fuel tanks, 460 anti-aircraft batteries, 4,017 tactical unmanned aerial systems, 715 special equipment platforms, such as bridging vehicles, and four mobile Iskander ballistic missile systems, and 1,347 cruise missiles shot down by the Ukrainian air defenses.
The Russian Ministry of Defense will likely suffer additional force generation issues if the rate of casualties continues to hover at around 500 men killed, wounded, or captured every day. Although the Russian military will be able to keep defending, a lack of troops means weakened offensive capabilities for the future.
Author Expertise
A 19FortyFive Defense and National Security Columnist, Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate. His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
