Serhiy Sherevaty, spokesman for the Ukrainian forces in the east of the country, announced on Saturday that more than 500 Russian servicemen were killed or wounded within 24 hours in the battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut.
Pro-Moscow forces have been fighting for months for control of Bakhmut in the eastern Donbass region. Both sides admit significant losses and exact figures are difficult to verify.
Sherivati said the Russians launched 16 attacks in 24 hours, with 23 engagements taking place in Bakhmut.
He added to the national parliament television station: “During the battle, 221 enemy personnel were killed and 314 were wounded with varying degrees of severity.”
It was not clear from Shirefati’s comments whether those losses occurred on Friday or during the last 24 hours.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (Reuters)
In a related development, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba urged Germany to expedite supplies of ammunition and start
Training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter planes.
Kuleba explained to the German newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” that the lack of ammunition is the “first” problem facing Ukraine to repel the Russian attack.
He added that German arms manufacturers told him during the Munich Security Conference last month that they were ready for the delivery process but were waiting for the government to sign the contracts.
“So the problem is the government,” Kuleba commented.
He said he did not expect Ukraine to receive the fighter jets it was asking for from Western allies anytime soon.
But he said, according to the newspaper, that Ukrainian pilots should be trained anyway so that they are ready once that decision is made.
He added that if Germany trained Ukrainian pilots, it would be “a clear message for its political participation”.
