Russia-Ukraine conflict: Retired US general says recent numbers spell trouble for Russia

More than a week since Russia went on the offensive on Ukraine, Russian troops have been met with fierce resistance from Ukraine with help from the West and other European nations. With the recent estimates on the number of Russian casualties, a retired US general says the numbers spell trouble for Russia and dictator Vladimir Putin.

Retired US general, Lt. General Mark Hertling weighed in on the new estimates that were published by the Kyiv Independent regarding the number of casualties Russia has suffered from Ukrainian resistance. The outlet said that Russia had lost over 10,000 troops, almost 50 planes, two boats, over 300 tanks, and hundreds of cars and artillery since the invasion.

“If these published accounts by the Kyiv Independent are even close, they are disastrous,” tweeted Lt. Gen. Hertling. “Having been the 7th US Army Commander, if I were the Russian Combined Arms Army Commander, I’d be very worried right now (Especially since one of the ‘boats’ is a warship).”

“The Russians haven’t even entered into ‘close combat’ with Ukrainian forces in most cities,” Hertling added. “The RU are going to take a shellacking.”

Ukraine was able to prevent Russian troops from further entering its major cities and prevent Russia from achieving air superiority. The West and many other countries have also imposed continuous sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion.

Despite the efforts to further cut Russia off economically, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed frustration towards what he believes is a lack of action from the West to further aid Ukraine. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine’s allies also share the responsibility for the casualties from the ongoing conflict.

“While Russians are to blame for the killings, responsibility is shared by those who for 13 days in their Western offices haven’t been able to approve an obviously necessary decision, those who didn’t save our cities from these bombs and missiles – although they can,” said Zelenskyy according to the Kyiv Independent Tuesday.

Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for the West to impose a “No-Fly Zone” over Ukraine to prevent further attacks from Russian forces. The Ukrainian leader added that if a no-fly zone could not be imposed, then send over fighter planes for Ukraine.