Ukraine disseminates Russian forces after Putin's latest war push fails
Ukrainian servicemen attend an exercise
REUTERS
Ukrainian troops have disseminated Russian forces after Vladimir Putin’s latest push to topple the ex-Soviet state fails.
Russia’s frontal assault in eastern Ukraine has initially resulted in huge losses, Kyiv has claimed.
Geolocated footage throughout the past week has shown Ukrainian artillery hit multiple columns of armoured Russia personnel carriers.
The clips are said to have been filmed around Avdiivka in the Donetsk Oblast.
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Ukraine claimed Russia lost 127 tanks, 239 APCs and 161 artillery systems.
Western nations are very aware that Putin has launched a “coordinated offensive” in recent days.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said: “Russia has highly likely begun a coordinated offensive across multiple axes in the east of Ukraine.
“Russian forces in Donetsk are conducting a combined arms offensive on the heavily defended town of Avdiivka, which has been on the front line since 2014.”
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Ukrainian servicemen walk at a position near a frontline, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region
REUTERS
It added: “Entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far likely held back the Russian advance, with the latter sustaining heavy equipment and personnel losses.
“Slow progress and high casualties have likely triggered a change in messaging from Russia, from an offensive to ‘active-defence’, as successfully clearing Avdiivka looks increasingly unlikely in the short-term.”
The news comes as Putin travels to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Russian President’s visit to China marks his second known trip abroad since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March.
He was greeted by the Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a welcoming ceremony at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing
REUTERS
The ICC, which accused Putin of illegally deporting children from Ukraine, mandates its 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.
However, neither Kyrgyzstan nor China are members of the ICC.
Putin last visited Russia for Beijing’s Winter Olympics in February 2022.
During his trip, Moscow and Beijing declared a “no limits” partnership.
The Russian President launched his invasion of Ukraine just days later.