Ukraine is facing the potential loss of five key cities to Russian forces amid intense fighting in the Donetsk Oblast, according to Yehor Firsov, Chief Sergeant of the 109th Brigade’s UAV Strike Company. Firsov spoke with local broadcaster Espreso TV, identifying Chasiv Yar, Myrnohrad, Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Toretsk as major battlefronts currently under threat.
Firsov characterized the conditions in these areas as “extremely difficult,” noting that both Ukrainian and Russian forces are grappling with shortages of weapons and drones due to ongoing combat. He emphasized that Russian forces seem to be consolidating their efforts, stating, “I feel that this is a kind of all-in,” which indicates a focused strategy rather than dispersing their troops across the entire frontline.
He expressed the urgent need for more support, highlighting that “we are in the hot phase of the war, and the possibility of losing five cities is at stake.” Firsov warned that while Ukraine’s Western allies may not perceive the situation as urgent, allowing Moscow to capture these cities could significantly demoralize Ukrainian troops, who have been steadfast in their defense.
In a rare admission, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Kyiv’s military casualties have surpassed 400,000, with approximately 43,000 soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded since the conflict intensified in February 2022. This statement followed comments from US President-elect Donald Trump, who alleged that Ukraine had “ridiculously lost” 400,000 soldiers throughout the fighting.
President Zelensky also provided higher casualty estimates for Russian forces, claiming they have sustained 198,000 deaths and over 550,000 injuries, but these figures have not been independently verified by The Defense Post. Trump additionally asserted that nearly 600,000 Russian soldiers have either died or been wounded during the nearly three-year conflict.
