Russia loses nearly 5 000 marines and 130 pieces of equipment in Vuhledar – Ukraine at OSCE

This was stated by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to International Organizations in Vienna, Natalia Kostenko during the OSCE Security Cooperation Forum meeting, writes Ukrinform.

"Last week’s offensive on Vuhledar in the Donetsk region was disastrous for the Russian army. The Russians almost entirely lost a marine brigade of 5000 men during an attempt to storm the AFU positions. During the week, about 130 pieces of military equipment were destroyed in the area, including 36 tanks," she said.

According to Kostenko, in terms of losses in one battle, the battle for Vugledar has already become one of the most difficult for the Russian forces since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the failed attempt to capture Vuhledar "proved the poor quality of systematic training of the mobilized Russian soldiers."

"Currently, the fiercest fighting is taking place in the Kupiansk, Lyman, Avdiivka, Bakhmut and Novopavlivka directions, where every day Russian command throws new waves of inexperienced recruits and former prisoners into battle, just like cannon fodder. As a result of Russian First World War tactics, its troops continue to suffer heavy losses, which in some units reach up to 80% of personnel," she reported.

Despite all that, the Kremlin still does not even show signs of willingness to end the war, on the contrary – they are intensifying military efforts and threatening with nuclear weapons, which "testifies to the fact that the Russian Federation is determined to wage war, despite the possible consequences for the world and even for their own people".

She pointed out the importance of supporting the Peace Formula proposed by Ukraine, which "is designed to end Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine and restore security for the whole world."

• Vuhledar deputy mayor Maksym Verbovsky believes that the Russians are trying to capture the city in order to destroy the AFU logistics in the Donetsk region.