Russia repels 56 Ukrainian attacks in Donetsk during past 7 days
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In the previous week, the actions of the units within the Southern group of Russian troops successfully thwarted 56 attacks launched by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region.
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In this photo released by the Russian Defense Ministry's Press Service on Sept. 10, 2022, Russian soldiers prepare to fire from Msta-B 152.4 mm howitzer from their position at an undisclosed location. (AP)
Russian armed forces successfully repelled 56 attacks by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region over the past week, according to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Saturday.
The Ukrainian side suffered significant losses, including over 2,100 soldiers, 23 tanks, and various other armored combat vehicles. Additionally, 45 vehicles and 30 field artillery pieces were destroyed.
In Zaporozhye and South Donetsk regions, another 2,075 Ukrainian soldiers were reported as casualties, along with 27 tanks and armored vehicles, including a UK Challenger tank, and 25 vehicles were destroyed.
In the Kupyansk and Kherson directions, Ukrainian losses were estimated at around 780 troops and eight armored vehicles, along with 15 howitzers. Furthermore, in the Lyman direction, Ukrainian forces incurred more than 450 casualties, along with the loss of 13 armored vehicles and seven howitzers.
The Russian armed forces also conducted six airstrikes, disrupting the operations of strategic radio-technical reconnaissance systems and logistical support for Ukrainian troop groups in the Kherson and Zaporozhye directions.
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It's worth noting that the United States is likely to provide Kiev with long-range missiles with a range of up to 300km, making them able to target deep into Russia's territory, ABC News reported.
A large number of prominent Western diplomats and military officials repeatedly warned of such a move, citing fears that striking deep inside Russia might drag US-led NATO into direct clash with Russian forces and expand the war beyond Ukraine's border.
"I think specific targets [for long-range missiles] in Crimea would be command and control, logistics hubs -- especially ammunition facilities -- and air bases," said Mick Mulroy, an ABC News contributor who served as a CIA officer and deputy assistant secretary of defense.
"They are coming," one official informed on US security assistance plans told the American broadcaster.
Sending Kiev Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) ballistic missiles is "on the table" and is likely to be part of the next military package, another official said, but noted that the final decision has not been made yet and that it could take months before delivering the missiles.
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