Russian Defense Minister Claims Ukraine Lost About 20,000 Troops and 2,200 Armaments in the Last Month

Defense Minister Shoigu with President Vladimir Putin. (Wikimedia Commons/Presidential Press and Information Office)

JAKARTA - The Ukrainian military lost more than 20,800 troops and more than 2,200 items of military hardware, including 10 Leopard tanks over the past month, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in an online meeting with military commanders on Monday.

"Over the past month, the enemy's losses have reached more than 20,800 soldiers, 20,824 personnel to be precise, and 2,227 items of weapons," Defense Minister Shoigu said as quoted by TASS, August 1.

"Included 10 Leopard tanks, 11 American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 40 US-made M777 artillery systems and 50 self-propelled artillery guns from the United Kingdom, United States, Germany, France and Poland," said Defense Minister Shoigu.

On this occasion, Defense Minister Shoigu thanked all Russian military personnel who participated in the special military operation in Ukraine for their service, courage and heroism.

"Earlier, we talked about some examples of feats, whereas today we have tens and hundreds of worthy soldiers, soldiers, officers and sergeants who not only carried out their duties with honor but also did it very professionally," Shoigu praised.

"The fighters exemplified courage, heroism and, let me repeat, professionalism," he added.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported that the Ukrainian army had carried out an unsuccessful offensive attempt since June 4. On July 11, Defense Minister Shoigu reported that the number of victims of Ukrainian troops had exceeded 26,000 since Kiev launched a counteroffensive.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that Ukrainian troops have failed to achieve success in any of the frontline areas, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov telling reporters, "the billions of dollars worth of resources transferred by NATO countries to the regime Kyiv, is actually spent inefficiently and aimlessly."