Russia Suffers 'Astronomical' Losses in Kharkiv Offensive, NATO Source Reveals

A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity, has described Russia’s losses during its advance in the Kharkiv Region in May 2024 as “astronomical.” According to the official, Russian forces suffered approximately 1,000 fatalities per day during this period.

The NATO representative also noted that Russia failed to achieve its objective of establishing a buffer zone in the Kharkiv region, as previously stated by Vladimir Putin. The front line in this region has stabilized, with the territories under Russian control remaining fragmented.

Russian troops launched an offensive in northern Kharkiv region on May 10, with ongoing attacks directed towards Vovchansk and Lyptsi. Despite efforts to regroup and deploy new units, Russian attempts to advance in the Kharkiv direction have been unsuccessful.

In May, Russia reportedly lost nearly 39,000 personnel across all fronts, marking a record high since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. NATO’s assessment suggests that Russia’s victories in this region will ultimately be limited.

US General Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also commented on the situation, noting that stability has been observed in the Kharkiv region in recent weeks. He attributed this stability in part to the US authorization to strike Russian targets with American weaponry, a move deemed “very, very beneficial for Ukrainians in the future” by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.