Russia’s Wagner Group, a private military mercenary force, has reportedly seen each of its fighters burn an average of 2,000 rounds of ammunition per day in an attempt to fight off a fierce Ukrainian counteroffensive.
Fighters from the Wagner Group trying to hold onto their gains in Ukraine’s Donbas region have faced a spate of attacks from Ukrainian forces seeking to retake lost land, and heavy fighting is depleting ammunition at an alarming rate, according to a report. analysis published by the Institute for the Study of War. Wednesday.
The US-based think tank report detailed fighting around the town of Bakhmut, with Ukrainian forces attempting to retake positions south of the town and Russian forces mounting an attack on the town itself that was repelled by Ukraine.
RUSSIAN MILITARY EQUIPMENT INSUFFICIENT FOR HARD WINTERS, LEADS SOLDIERS TO DEATH OF HYPOTHERMIA
The Russian military and pro-Russian separatists stand watch as civilians are evacuated along humanitarian corridors from the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
(Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Heavy fighting has also been reported near Kherson Oblast, where Ukrainian forces have systematically attacked Russian positions around the city.
Intense fighting has taken a toll on both sides, though fierce Ukrainian resistance has worked to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war aims and led him to acknowledge that the conflict may drag on for some time.
Russian forces will now also be forced to battle Ukraine’s wintry weather, another potential hurdle amid reports earlier this week that the country’s military lacks sufficient clothing and equipment to combat the elements.
A Ukrainian flag flies in a badly damaged residential area in the village of Dolyna in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, following the withdrawal of Russian troops.
(Metin Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
PUTIN OPEN TO UKRAINE TALKS AFTER BIDEN SIGNALS WILLING IF RUSSIA IS SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING WAR
“What is clear is that there is a bloodbath in eastern Ukraine, and the Russian military is not properly equipped for winter combat,” Rebekah Koffler, former DIA intelligence officer and author of “Putin’s Playbook: Russia’s Secret Plan to Defeat America,” Fox News Digital said. “Some die of hyperthermia because the uniform is not warm enough to survive in extreme conditions.”
Koffler believes the weather may slow Putin down in the coming months, though he expects Russian forces to try to increase their activity again in the spring.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
(Mikhail Metzel/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)
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“Putin announced yesterday that Russia is in this fight for a long time, which is almost certainly accurate. But we can expect the active combat phase to slow down now that winter has arrived. Otherwise, more soldiers will freeze to death than from wounds. Koffler said. “Putin is likely to resume major assault operations in early spring.”
