Ukraine's top commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, acknowledged Russia's substantial advantage in manpower and resources in a social media post summarizing August's battlefield developments. "The enemy has a threefold advantage in manpower and resources. In key directions, the Russian army can have a four- to six-fold superiority over us," he stated.
Syrsky explained that Russia is employing infiltration tactics with small infantry units, "constantly breaking through settlements, exploiting gaps between strong points, and avoiding direct confrontation." He also claimed that Ukraine has reclaimed 58 square kilometers of territory and several small settlements recently.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on this information.
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Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky in Sumy province in 10/2024. Photo: AFP |
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky in Sumy province in 10/2024. Photo: AFP
Data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), analyzed by AFP, shows that Russian forces gained an additional 594 square kilometers of territory in August, a slight decrease from the 634 square kilometers gained in July.
At the end of August, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said Russia was accelerating its advance in the "special military operation," gaining 600 to 700 square kilometers of territory each month, compared to an average of 300 to 400 square kilometers per month at the beginning of the year.
On 4/9, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that the Eastern Military District had completed its combat mission, taking full control of the territories under its responsibility in Donetsk province.
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Map of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Graphic: Washington Post |
Map of the Russo-Ukrainian War. Graphic: Washington Post
Including the Crimean Peninsula and the area controlled by Donbas separatists before the conflict, Russia currently holds an area equivalent to 19% of Ukraine's 2013 territory. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia is ready for negotiations to end the conflict, but will not relinquish the annexed territories.
Huyen Le (AFP)
