Russia has experienced its two deadliest days of the war, losing 1,270 troops on Sunday and another 1,290 on Monday, according to Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. This significant rise in casualties coincides with recent Western approvals allowing Ukraine to use advanced weaponry to strike targets within Russia’s borders.
The intensifying conflict comes as Ukraine pushes its allies for further permissions to use their supplied weapons against Russian targets. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has stated that lifting these restrictions is crucial for Ukraine’s defense strategy.
Sunday’s death toll of 1,270 marked the highest single-day casualty figure since Russia’s invasion began over two years ago, but it was surpassed just a day later with 1,290 Russian soldiers reportedly killed. Ukraine claims that the total number of Russian troops killed since the start of the conflict now exceeds 500,000.
In addition to the staggering human toll, Ukraine reports significant destruction of Russian military equipment. Since the onset of the war, Ukrainian forces have purportedly destroyed 7,794 tanks, 15,020 armored combat vehicles, and 13,345 artillery pieces. Recent figures indicate that on Sunday alone, Ukraine eliminated 15 tanks, 18 combat vehicles, and 65 artillery systems, alongside 27 drones, 69 vehicles and fuel tanks, three air defense systems, and 12 pieces of special equipment.
Casualty numbers have reportedly exceeded 1,000 per day since Russia launched a new offensive in Kharkiv on May 10. This surprise attack has resulted in Russia’s largest territorial gains in 18 months, according to The Guardian.
Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden granted Ukraine permission to use American-made weapons to strike within Russia. This decision followed Russia’s intensified assault on Kharkiv and its ongoing attempts to capture more Ukrainian territory. Ukraine is now seeking additional permissions from its allies to further extend the use of Western weapons against Russian targets.
The Institute for the Study of War emphasized the importance of Western air defense systems and the ability to strike Russian positions with Western weapons. In a recent assessment, analysts noted, “These policy changes will allow Ukrainian forces to use Western-provided systems to strike Russian firing and staging areas in Russia’s border areas and airspace.”
Previously, Ukraine was restricted from using Western-supplied weapons to strike beyond its borders due to fears of escalating the conflict. However, the latest Russian offensive in northeastern Kharkiv has prompted a shift in the stance of some NATO countries. Ukrainian officials have argued that these restrictions hinder their ability to defend against Russian attacks effectively.
President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called for permission to use Western weapons on Russian soil, stressing the necessity for Ukraine’s defense. Dramatic footage released yesterday appeared to show U.S.-made Himars missiles striking key military targets within Russia, following President Biden’s decision to lift the U.S. ban.
Russian sources claimed that these missiles were used in strikes on Russian troops in Belgorod. These attacks came despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threats of escalating the war if Ukraine used Western weapons on Russian soil. Putin warned that NATO member countries, particularly those with small territories and dense populations, should be cautious, indicating potential “serious consequences” for Ukraine’s allies.
The UK has been a significant supporter of Ukraine, providing both lethal and non-lethal aid. Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has insisted that Ukraine has the right to use these weapons as it sees fit, including striking targets on Russian territory.
As the war continues to escalate, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for further intensification and the broader implications of the conflict.
Credit: The Sun
