Ukraine shows video of ‘obliteration’ of Russian tanks

The 68th Jaeger Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has repelled another Russian assault, destroying eight tanks and eight IFVs.

The footage, shared on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence X account, is captioned, “Warriors from the 68th Jaeger Brigade repelled another Russian assault in the Pokrovsk direction. They destroyed 8 tanks and 8 IFVs.“

Warriors from the 68th Jaeger Brigade repelled another russian assault in the Pokrovsk direction. They destroyed 8 tanks and 8 IFVs. pic.twitter.com/tFCKMEpjOc

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 15, 2024

In a recent intelligence update tweeted by the UK Ministry of Defence, it was estimated that the total number of Russian casualties since the onset of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 has likely reached a staggering 500,000.

This figure includes both killed and wounded personnel.

The data highlights that Russian losses have remained exceptionally high throughout 2024, with the average daily casualties in May exceeding 1,200 – the highest rate recorded since the conflict began.

The heightened casualty rate is attributed to Russia’s ongoing attritional offensive, which is being conducted across a broad front. According to the intelligence report, it is highly likely that most Russian forces are receiving only limited training, which hampers their ability to execute complex offensive operations. Consequently, Russia has resorted to small-scale but costly wave attacks aimed at weakening Ukrainian defences.

To sustain this strategy, Russia continues to recruit additional forces. However, the continuous need to replenish front-line personnel is almost certain to limit Russia’s ability to form higher capability units, the report suggests. This recruitment drive, while bolstering numbers, does little to enhance the overall effectiveness of Russian military operations, which remain constrained by the quality of training and the high casualty rates.

The Ministry of Defence’s tweet stated:

“The total number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) since the start of the war in February 2022 has now likely reached 500,000. Russian losses have continued at a high level in 2024, and in May average Russian personnel casualties were over 1,200 per day – the highest reported since the start of the war.

The elevated casualty rate is highly likely a reflection of Russia’s ongoing attritional offensive which is being conducted across a wide front. It is highly likely that most Russian forces receive only limited training, and they are unable to carry out complex offensive operations. As a result, Russia employs small-scale but costly wave attacks in an effort to weaken Ukrainian defences.

Russia continues to recruit additional forces to sustain this approach. However, the need to continuously replenish front line personnel will almost certainly continue to limit Russia’s ability to generate higher capability units.”