UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Ukrainians are making “real gains” but fighting is “close and hard”, during an update to MPs on the Russia invasion on their return to Westminster after their summer break.
Mr Wallace made the statement in the Commons after Ukraine embarked on a counter-offensive in the Russian-occupied southern Kherson region, which he said had “some considerable success”.
Although the Ukrainians are making gains, Mr Wallace said the fighting is intense.
“On August 29, Ukraine embarked on a counter-offensive in the south of the country around the city of Kherson, on the west bank of the Dnipro River," he said.
“Ukraine has inflicted serious damage on a range of river crossings with the aim of restricting Russian logistical support.
“This has had some considerable success.
“They are making real gains but understandably, as we have seen elsewhere in this conflict, the fighting is close and hard and Ukraine are suffering losses associated with an attacking force.”
The Ukraine war latest – in pictures
On the other hand, Russia continues to “lose significant equipment and personnel”, Mr Wallace said.
“It is estimated to date that over 25,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives, and in all, if you include killed casualties, captured, or the now reported tens of thousands of deserters, over 80,000 dead or injured and the other categories," he told MPs.
“This will have a long-lasting impact on Russia’s army and its future combat effectiveness.
“Russia has yet to achieve any of its strategic objectives, and we are now on day 194 of what was envisaged in total to be a month-long campaign.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his invasion on February 24, with many expecting a quick victory.
Six months later, the largest military conflict in Europe since the Second World War has turned into a grinding war of attrition.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy: Ukraine will fight until the end - video
Mr Wallace said the government is working on an additional package of support for Ukraine, having already supplied thousands of anti-tank weapons, drones and military vehicles.
“The United Kingdom continues to give military aid… to the Ukrainian armed forces to help resist the illegal invasion,” he said.
“The total funding committed to this support is £2.3 billion ($2.6bn).”
Mr Wallace also updated MPs on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, saying the United Nations remains “gravely concerned” by the “dangerous situation”.
He was also later pressed by Conservative former minister Tim Loughton on the possibility of Mr Putin resorting to using “battlefield nuclear weapons”.
While Mr Wallace said “the conditions are not remotely met for that”, he said “we have seen in public President Putin evoke nuclear weapons, I think over 35 times in the last six months”.
“The consequences of the use of tactical nuclear weapons, I think, would be global condemnation by all countries, including countries such as China, for Russia, and I think President Putin is well aware of that,” he said.
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
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March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
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June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
McIlroy's struggles in 2016/17
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PGA Tour: 8 events, 26 rounds, 6 cuts, 0 wins, 4 top-10s, 5 top-25s, 526 points, ranked 71st
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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