As Russia advances near Kharkiv, there are indications that the situation may be shifting as Ukraine intensifies its attacks on Russian territory. According to Ukraine's military, Russia lost 1,200 soldiers in a single day of combat, bringing Moscow's total losses in the war to well over 500,000.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine shared updated figures on social media, stating that Russia's total losses have reached 511,130 after 1,270 Russian soldiers were killed on June 2.
In addition to these personnel losses, Ukraine reports that Russia has lost 9,779 tanks, with 14 destroyed on Sunday alone. Furthermore, over 13,000 Russian artillery systems have been taken out, including 47 destroyed in the latest day of fighting.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine added, "Beat the occupier! Together we will win! Our power is in the truth!"
Recent weeks have seen intense fighting near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, as Vladimir Putin attempts to leverage Russia's position before more Western aid reaches Ukrainian forces.
However, the dynamics of the war could change after Western allies permitted Ukraine to strike Russian territory with their weapons.
On Sunday, Russian sources claimed that Ukraine used U.S. weapons to strike Russian territory for the first time. They reported that Ukraine targeted Belgorod, a city near the border with Ukraine, using the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council, warned on Friday that "Ukraine and its NATO allies will receive such a devastating response that the alliance won’t be able to avoid entering the conflict" due to NATO's new policy.
Germany has also authorized Ukraine to use its weapons against Russian territory. The German government noted that in recent weeks, Russia has launched attacks on the Kharkiv region from areas just across the border in Russia.
A German government statement affirmed, "We are convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks. For this, it can also use the weapons delivered for that purpose in accordance with its international legal commitments, including those delivered by us."
I suspect the fog of war in these statistics. You obviously have a pro-Ukraine bias which is quite acceptable but needs to be acknowledged.
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