More Than 28,000 Russians Killed Since Start Of War, Ukraine Says

May 18, 2022

As many as 28,300 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says on Facebook.

It adds that over the past day Russia has lost some 400 servicemen.

The General Staff says in its daily update that Russia has also lost approximately:

1,251 tanks
3,043 armoured vehicles
586 artillery systems
199 multiple launch rocket systems
91 air defence systems
202 warplanes
167 helicopters
2,137 lorries and fuel tankers
13 warships and boats
102 cruise missiles
441 drones
43 pieces of special equipment

First war crimes trial of Russian soldier set to start

Meanwhile, the first war crimes trial of a Russian soldier following Moscow's invasion is due to begin in Kyiv today.

21-year-old soldier Vadim Shishimarin is accused of killing an unarmed civilian in the days after the invasion began. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Ukraine says it has identified thousands of potential war crimes committed by Russia, while Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians.

Prosecutors say Shishimarin was driving in a stolen vehicle with other soldiers in the north-eastern Sumy region when they encountered a 62-year-old cyclist using a phone.

They allege that Shishimarin was ordered to shoot the civilian to stop them from telling Ukrainian defenders about their location.

"By this first trial, we are sending a clear signal that every perpetrator, every person who ordered or assisted in the commission of crimes in Ukraine shall not avoid responsibility," prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova said.

Nearly 1,000 Azovstal fighters have surrendered, Russia says

Nearly 1,000 Ukrainian fighters holed up in Mariupol's Azovstal steelworks have now surrendered, according to Russia's defence ministry.

It says 694 fighters from the Ukrainian military and Azov battalion have surrendered over the past 24 hours.

The ministry says the total who have now surrendered is 959 (this includes the 265 it said left in the first evacuations on Monday).

Those leaving the steelworks are being taken to Russian-controlled territory.

Ukrainian authorities have not given an update on how many fighters have left Azovstal today.

Source: BBC
Image Source: Pixabay