Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing sparks ‘body double’ conspiracy claims<\/strong>
Vladimir Putin thanked by Hamas for Russia’s ‘tireless efforts’ over Israel<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Daily Express US could not independently verify the latest number but the estimate marked a steep increase from a September 2022 update from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.<\/p>\n
The close Putin ally last year reported that 5,937 Russian soldiers had been killed in the first seven months of the war.<\/p>\n
An investigation conducted by the BBC’s Russian service in collaboration with the independent Russian outlet Madiazona identified the names of 34,412 Russian soldiers killed in the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
The investigative reporters involved however have warned that the actual number of casualties is likely higher than the figures collected so far.<\/p>\n
The latest estimate comes as Kyiv continues to push forward with its counteroffensive ahead of what is expected to be a second grueling winter on the battlefront.<\/p>\n
DON’T MISS: <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Ukrainian forces have launched a new assault to liberate the city of Avdiivka, in the illegally-annexed region of Donetsk.<\/p>\n The southeastern city has been at the center of skirmishes since 2014, when pro-Putin separatists started clashing with the Ukrainian Government in Donetsk and Luhansk.<\/p>\n Putin earlier this week tried to minimize reports of losses as he claimed Ukrainian losses are eight times higher.<\/p>\n But his bid to pacify allies and population partially backfired as he inadvertently confirmed Russian losses in June alone surpassed 11,000 soldiers.<\/p>\n During his latest appearance on Monday, Putin also dismissed the importance of a new US-supplied weapon that Kyiv used to execute one of the most damaging attacks on the Kremlin\u2019s air assets since the start of the war.<\/p>\n Putin told reporters that Russia \u201cwill be able to repel\u201d further attacks by the US-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS.<\/p>\n Ukraine claimed it used those missiles to destroy nine Russian helicopters, as well as ammunition, an air defense system and other assets at two airfields in Russia-occupied regions on Tuesday.<\/p>\n That development came as the two sides looked to gain battlefield advantages and consolidate their positions ahead of the winter when the weather would hamper operations.<\/p>\n The ATACMS will shift the battlefield layout to some degree as Russia will need to disperse its aircraft and ammunition depots. It had used aircraft to stop Ukraine\u2019s ongoing counteroffensive.<\/p>\n Russia\u2019s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, described Washington\u2019s decision to supply the ATACMS as \u201creckless\u201d and \u201ca grave mistake\u201d that won\u2019t alter the war\u2019s outcome.<\/p>\n The fighting has ground largely to a stalemate, with a protracted war of attrition expected at least through next year.<\/p>\n
Russian commentator makes wild claim UK ‘oversaw Hamas attack’ on Israel[RUSSIA] <\/strong>
Russians admit rare defeat as battle for key Ukraine city has ‘fizzled out'[UKRAINE] <\/strong>
‘Viktor Orb\u00e1n should be booted out of NATO if he keeps chasing Putin'[HUNGARY] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5020936.jpg?r=1697703815336\")
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