Ukraine claims thousands of Russian casualties and a slowing Kremlin advance

DNIPRO, Ukraine — Heavy Russian losses are one of the reasons for Moscow’s slowing advance in Ukraine this year, the commander of the country’s Air Assault Forces said. “Even though the Russian offensive continues, the enemy is not demonstrating rapid operational successes that would allow it to advance quickly. They are slowing down,” Maj. Gen. Oleh Apostol told a group of journalists in a secure location on Tuesday. "If they capture a single tree line in a month, that hardly constitutes an operational success upon which further gains can be built," Apostol said. Russian casualties are rising, according to the commander and to NATO officials.