Putin: Over 700,000 troops deployed on the frontline in Ukraine
According to the latest news from AFP, Putin stated that over 700,000 Russian soldiers have been deployed on the frontline in Ukraine. Since launching a large-scale offensive against Ukraine, Moscow has mobilized a significant amount of manpower and resources, despite the significant losses suffered by the army according to estimates by independent media.
Before Putin announced this information, Ukrainian drones attacked an important oil refinery in the Bashkortostan region of Russia on Thursday, about 1,400 kilometers from the frontline, causing a fire, with both sides reporting the incident.
Additionally, Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he visited the Donetsk region (the center of the eastern combat) to meet local soldiers. Since Russia launched a large-scale invasion in 2022, Russian forces have continued to advance, trying to capture the entire Donetsk region, but according to estimates by independent media, Russian forces have paid a heavy price during the advance.
Zelenskyy said on social media: "I met the soldiers participating in the Dobropillya counteroffensive." Dobropillya is an area where Russian forces recently broke through. The Ukrainian military stated that they have "liberated 160 square kilometers" of land in this area.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian police reported that the city of Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region was attacked by Russian forces on Thursday morning, resulting in the death of five civilians. Kostyantynivka is about 40 kilometers from Dobropillya, and residential areas have been frequently shelled. Police stated that among the five victims, there were two women and three men aged between 62 and 74 years old. Zelenskyy emphasized: "Step by step, our soldiers are liberating our land: since the counteroffensive operation began, 160 square kilometers and seven villages near Dobropillya have been liberated." In addition, he stated that the Ukrainian army "cleared over 170 square kilometers and another nine villages," but did not reveal more details.
A senior Ukrainian source told AFP that the Ukrainian army had destroyed the Russian forces in the area, but had not yet fully regained control. Zelenskyy also said that "about 100 Russian soldiers were captured." The Russians made a breakthrough near Dobropillya in mid-August, but were stopped by the Ukrainian army a few days later, with the Ukrainian military stating that they have basically recaptured most of the lost territory in the area.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1843660923708553/
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