Russian forces have taken 20 000 to 30 000 casualties trying to capture Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast (eastern Ukraine), according to unnamed Western officials, the journalist of the Guardian Dan Sabbagh said.
"Russia has taken 20,000 to 30,000 casualties in trying to take Bakhmut, killed to wounded ratio could be worse than one to three - Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity," Sabbagh wrote on Twitter.
Ukraine’s top generals in favor of continuing Bakhmut defense – President’s Office
Sabbagh noted that his sources shared no equivalent figure for Ukrainian losses in and around Bakhmut. The Western officials that Sabbagh referred to told him that Ukraine's casualties are less than those of the Russian forces lost.
"But others have spoken of five Russians to one Ukrainian and even higher. Hard to assess in this hell on earth fighting," Sabbagh added with a reference to the Western officials he spoke to.
Ukraine stabilized northern defensive perimeter of Bakhmut – British intelligence
Battle for Bakhmut "may well last for another month," or "Ukrainians could decide to leave within a week," the unnamed official told Sabbagh.
Related:
- Ukraine's ground forces commander visited Bakhmut for the third time in two weeks, said battles reached the highest level of tension
- Bakhmut is more of a symbolic value than operational – Austin
- Russia likely lacks power to sustain more than one simultaneous offensive, creating conditions for Ukraine's counteroffensive – ISW
- Battle of Soledar: how can Ukraine stop Russia?
- Kyiv privately seeks US submunitions from cluster bombs to be dropped from drones - Reuters
- Ukraine is running low on ammo, asks EU for 250,000 artillery shells a month
- Never again 2.0: Ukrainian intellectuals present manifesto to put an end to Russia's wars
