While Moscow celebrated substantial military gains in the bitter war with Ukraine, including at one point the Sumy region. In the latest claim by the Russian government, troops have established themselves on enemy lines while causing major losses to Ukraine’s military forces. As of these statements, Russia has taken control of the village of Malynivka. This village, historically called Ulyanovka, is located near the contact line in the Donetsk region.
From the view of Russian officials, the retaking of Malynivka is representative of a strategic win by Russia within their overall military campaign. They claim this advance is just one of a wider plan to take control in eastern Ukraine. The assertions of territorial gains come as rare clashes continue and tensions between the two countries remain high.
Ukraine has recently accused Russian forces of using a facility in Tatarstan for drone production. These military drones are more commonly known as “killer” drones. One such incident involved a drone strike on an automobile factory near Yelabuga, killing one person and injuring 13. This unfortunate episode has led to the emergence of a serious charge. Local authorities Tatarstan’s regional leader, Rustam Minnikhanov, confirmed the incident with tragedy underscoring ongoing danger of military training in the area.
Quite shocking, perhaps, is the news (amidst ongoing hostilities) that Russia has already repatriated 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers who died during the fighting. Overall, according to Russia, more than 4,800 Ukrainian bodies have been returned in such swaps. Russian authorities are out for blood right now. They point to Ukraine’s alleged failure to return a single Russian corpse as a purported violation of an Istanbul deal. This bilateral agreement aims to facilitate the exchange of up to 6,000 donated bodies. It includes the transport of sick and seriously injured prisoners of war, including those less than 25 years of age.
The recent intelligence released by the United Kingdom suggests a catastrophic loss. So far, more than 6,000 North Korean troops have been killed or wounded in combat alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The UK government reportedly thinks over half of the 11,000 North Korean troops first sent into combat were killed. This has happened throughout the long war.
