Ukrainian soldiers reveal losses in counterattack in Kherson

As Ukraine restricts journalists from the front lines to cover the counteroffensive in Kherson province, the Washington Post sent a reporter to a hospital where Ukrainian soldiers described the fierce fighting in the area, RT reported. The report was published on September 7, ahead of a US-led meeting with Ukraine’s arms suppliers in Ramstein, Germany.

Ukrainian soldiers. Photo: Getty Images

Soldiers spoke about the disadvantages that the Ukrainian army faces on the Kherson front. Russia has increasingly better artillery, drones that can operate at altitudes of several kilometers, and radars that can attack Ukrainian targets within minutes.

The Washington Post reported that the Russian military even attacked Ukrainian drones, causing them to “drift uncontrollably behind defense lines.”

“They lose one soldier, we lose five,” said Igor, a 30-year-old platoon leader with a back injury.

“When we turn on our mobile phones or walkie-talkies, they can spot us immediately. And then they start shooting,” said Denis, a Ukrainian soldier.

“They were attacking us all the time. If we fired three mortars, they would fire 20,” said Aleksandr, who lost an arm in the fighting.

After months of talk of a counteroffensive to retake Kherson and Crimea, Ukraine launched an offensive last week. The Russian military estimates that more than 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers took part in the offensive, but thousands have died.

On September 7, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the Ukrainian army “did not take any offensive action” in Kherson due to heavy losses.

Although Ukraine claims to have captured several villages in Kherson, this has not been confirmed as journalists are restricted from reporting in the area.

“Ukraine hopes that the counteroffensive in Kherson will boost national morale and demonstrate to Western countries that its billions of dollars in economic and military aid are being put to good use,” the Washington Post said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin flew to Germany on September 7 to prepare for a meeting of the “Ukraine Contact Group,” a coalition of countries committed to providing weapons, ammunition and other assistance to Ukraine, in Ramstein on September 8.