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Ukraine pushes Russia back in Donetsk as military, civilian casualties soar
Al Jazeera • • world
Key Points:
- Russian forces are retreating in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, losing villages south of Lyman amid Ukraine's counteroffensive "Operation Vivaldi," which has reclaimed 175 square kilometers of territory.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed the operation's success but noted it remains incomplete, with key battles ongoing near Kryva Luka, a strategic village east of Sloviansk.
- Russian casualty rates have surged, with Ukraine reporting over 46,000 Russian casualties in September alone and a continued rise in October, while Russia claims territorial gains that independent analysts dispute.
- In response, Russia has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, causing significant civilian casualties, including a deadly strike on Pryluky coinciding with Putin's birthday.
- Ukraine is bolstering its defenses with F-16 fighter jets, new interceptor drones, and AI-driven turrets, while receiving substantial military aid from Germany and conducting long-range strikes targeting Russian fuel infrastructure and military assets.
