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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Alexander Butler and Maira Butt

Ukraine-Russia war - live: Putin’s troops forced to regroup as they suffer heavy losses in east, says Kyiv

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Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Ukraine mail depot that killed six

Russian troops have been executed for retreating from Putin’s offensive in the eastern city of Avdiivka, Donetsk, according to the White House.

“We have information that the Russian military has been actually executing soldiers who refuse to follow orders,” White House spokesperson John Kirby told a media briefing on Thursday.

Ukrainian forces have been repelling the Russian onslaught on the frontline in Donetsk for several weeks since mid-October.

It comes as the Russian Army has been forced to regroup while suffering over 400 casualties a day in a drive to capture the eastern town, Kyiv said.

“The enemy is trying to move forward and then we beat them back,” Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for Ukraine‘s southern groups of forces, said.

“So by no means can you speak of a fixed situation of some sort. Heavy fighting is continuing, though activity has subsided somewhat. The enemy is going through some kind of regrouping.”

Mr Shtupun said Russian forces had suffered over 400 casualties a day in its campaign which has relied on small assault groups of 30 to 40 men.

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