Calls Russia Loss Of Significant Equipment And Personnel, British Defense Minister: Ukraine Has Enough Success

British Defense Minister Ben Wallace. (Wikimedia Commons/US Secretary of Defense)

JAKARTA - British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said Ukraine was making a 'real advantage', during an update to lawmakers on the Russian invasion, as they returned to Westminster after their summer vacation.

Wallace made the remarks after Ukraine began a retaliatory offensive in the Russian-occupied southern Kherson region, which it said had "some considerable success".

Despite Ukraine's gains, Wallace said the fighting was intense.

"On August 29, Ukraine started 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 various river crossings, with the aim of limiting Russian logistical support. It has had some considerable success."

"They made real gains but understandably, as we have seen elsewhere in this conflict, the fighting is close and hard and Ukraine is suffering losses associated with attacking power."

On the other hand, Russia continues to "lose significant equipment and personnel," Wallace said.

"It is estimated that currently, more than 25,000 Russian soldiers have lost their lives, and overall. If you include the death toll, captured, or now reported tens of thousands of defectors, more than 80,000 killed or injured and other categories," he told lawmakers.

"This will have a long-term impact on the Russian army and its future combat effectiveness."

"Russia has not yet achieved its strategic objectives, and we are now in the 194th day of what is in total envisioned as a month-long campaign," Wallace said.

At the same time, Wallace said the government was working on an additional support package for Ukraine, which has supplied thousands of anti-tank weapons, drones, and military vehicles.

"The UK continues to provide military assistance to the Ukrainian armed forces to help fight the illegal invasion," he said.

"The total funding provided for this support is £2.3 billion," he said.

It is known that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his invasion on February 24, with many expecting a quick victory.

Six months later, Europe's biggest military conflict since World War Two has turned into a war of attrition.