Russian Ministry of Defense: All our forces in the operational areas are committed to the temporary truce

Russian Ministry of Defense: All our forces in the operational areas are committed to the temporary truce

The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that all forces in the operational areas strictly observed the Easter truce, as ordered by President Vladimir Putin. The truce, which began at 6:00 p.m. Moscow time (3:00 p.m. GMT) on April 19, saw the Russian army maintain its positions and cease all combat operations [1].

Despite the declared truce, the Ukrainian army attempted to attack Russian positions near Sukhaya Balka and Bogatyr in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) during the night. These attacks were repelled by the Russian forces, and the Ukrainian army also employed 48 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles, including one on the territory of Crimea [1].

Before the truce, the Russian army liberated the settlement of Novomikhailovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and struck Ukrainian temporary deployment sites in 87 areas. The Ukrainian army responded with 444 attacks on Russian positions and 900 drone attacks, resulting in civilian casualties and damage to civil facilities [1].

In the 24 hours before the truce, the Ukrainian army lost a significant number of troops and equipment across various fronts. The Ukrainian army lost up to 310 troops in the responsibility area of Battlegroup South, including a US-made M113 armored fighting vehicle and four armored combat vehicles [1]. Similarly, Battlegroup North reported the loss of up to 40 troops and an ammunition depot, while Battlegroup Center lost more than 420 troops and three Kozak armored combat vehicles [1].

Russia’s air defenses also played a crucial role during the truce, downing three JDAM smart bombs, a HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, and 88 drones [1]. Overall, the Russian forces have destroyed 661 warplanes, 283 helicopters, 52,831 unmanned aerial vehicles, 604 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,967 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,544 multiple rocket launchers, 23,913 field artillery guns and mortars, and 34,387 special military motor vehicles since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine [1].

The Ukrainian army has lost more than 75,000 troops in the Kursk frontline area over the period of fighting [1]. This significant loss underscores the challenges faced by the Ukrainian forces and the effectiveness of the Russian military strategy.

References:
[1] https://tass.com/defense/1946487