A Russian military source revealed that a reckless attack on Zmiinyi Island was suggested to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by his British military advisers for PR purposes.

According to the source, Zelensky personally ordered to proceed with the suggested plan despite objections from the Ukrainian General Staff.

The source told the press that "Valery Zaluzhnyi [Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces] and his general staff were against this suicide operation, the plot of which was suggested to Zelensky by his British advisers."

Zelensky intended to make a joint statement with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the event of the operation's success, the source said.

"But, in the end, only Johnson spoke yesterday, without mentioning a word about the disaster of the Zmiinyi assault operation," the source indicated.

"Disaster for Ukraine"

In a relevant context, Russian Defense Ministry Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov confirmed on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces lost 14 aircraft and helicopters, 30 drones, and 50 people during an attempted capture of Zmiinyi Island in the past few days.

"This venture ended in disaster for Ukraine. The thoughtless PR action of the Kiev regime to seize Zmiinyi Island on the eve of the Victory Day led to the senseless death of more than five dozen Ukrainian fighters and members of elite AFU [Armed Forces of Ukraine] units, the loss of four jets, 10 helicopters, three boats and 30 unmanned aerial vehicles," Konashenkov highlighted.

According to the general, the Ukrainian forces lost three SU-24 bombers, one SU-27 fighter jet, three armored assault boats of Centaur type, and 10 helicopters, including three Mi-8 helicopters with paratroopers on board and one Mi-24 support helicopter shot down in the air.