Russia repels seven attacks in Donetsk direction: MoD

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
19 Sep 2023 09:14

A drone attack on the city of Lvov sets an industrial warehouse on fire.

A soldier of Ukraine's 3rd Separate Assault Brigade near Bakhmut, Donetsk, Monday, September 4, 2023 (AP)

Russia’s South group of troops repelled seven attacks in the Donetsk direction, while Kiev’s losses reached 210 soldiers, one tank, and two M777 howitzers, Sputnik reported, citing Russia's South group leader Georgy Minesashvili.

"In the Donetsk direction, the coordinated actions of units of the South group of forces allowed them to repel seven attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian armed forces … The enemy lost up to 210 servicemen," Minesashvili said, noting that the Russian forces also neutralized two M777 howitzers, two D-30 howitzers, one tank, two 120-caliber and one 82-caliber mortars, and seven vehicles.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Ukrainian forces launched 92 artillery attacks on the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) within 24 hours, wounding three civilians.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's western city of Lvov came under attack by a swarm of drones, resulting in multiple explosions, a warehouse fire, and one injury, AFP reported, citing the local mayor.

The attack occurred around 01:30 GMT.

"As a result of the attack, an industrial warehouse is burning in one of Lviv's districts," Lvov Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said.

"The threat has passed," declared Maksym Kozytskyi, the head of the Lvov region's military administration, after the all-clear sounded at 03:00 GMT.

The city of Lvov, close to the Polish border, is seen as one of Ukraine's safest, but it has experienced more attacks recently. Since the breakout of the war, the US and UK embassies were relocated from Kiev to Lvov.

One day of war costs $100 million

On September 4, outgoing Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told reporters that Ukraine is bearing daily costs of $100 million due to the war with Russia, adding that the assistance provided by volunteers since February 2022 has only accounted for 3% of the total funds used.

Reznikov pointed out that when one compares the funds raised by various volunteer foundations and the state's daily spending of $100 million, it becomes apparent how significant the financial burden of the war is. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal previously stated that Ukraine was using 100% of its tax income for military needs, and aid from donors and allies was also being directed toward the defense sector.

"A day of war costs us $100 million. Now take the budgets of all the respectable large volunteer foundations and see how much they raise. And take the state, which spends $100 million per day in general. Just think about it," Reznikov said, as quoted by the Ukrinform news agency.