Ukraine: Russian Casualties 'Likely Greater Than Acknowledged By The Kremlin', MoD Claims

According to an update from the UK's Ministry of Defence, the number of Russian casualties is likely to be larger than those acknowledged by the Kremlin.

In a post shared to the UK Ministry of Defence's Twitter account, Russian casualties were said to be 'heavy and greater than anticipated or acknowledged by the Kremlin'.

The update comes today, February 26, as the third day of the war in Ukraine continues.

We can confirm the latest developments in Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/HOW8dM5m0b

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 26, 2022

In addition to the speculated Russian casualties, the ministry reported that Ukrainian armed forces continue to 'put up staunch resistance' across the country.

They added that Russia has not yet gained control over Ukrainian airspace, which has reduced the effectiveness of the Russian Air Force.

The update comes as Russian forces have continued their advancement on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

The bulk of Russian forces are currently said to be roughly 30 kilometres from the city centre.

Residents in Kyiv are seeking shelter in the underground metro system as missile strikes continue.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly refused a US offer to evacuate from the capital and is believed to have said 'the fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride', as per the Independent.

Zelensky has released footage to reassure Ukrainians that he is still in the capital and that any claims the Ukrainian military would put down arms is false.

Не вірте фейкам. pic.twitter.com/wiLqmCuz1p

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

In a press conference, Zelensky said, 'The occupiers wanted to set up their puppet in our capital. They didn’t succeed. On our streets, there was a proper fight going on'.

The Ukrainian military claim to have shot down two Russian transport planes with paratroopers amid the fighting, but this has not been confirmed, The Guardian reports.

In some areas there have been instances of Russian forces facing logistical issues, with Ukrainian-language social media accounts posting footage of captured Russian soldiers.

The russian army has deployed the TOS-1 heavy flamethrower which shoots thermobaric rockets, the was South of Belgorod. pic.twitter.com/XCxMI3bNB3

— Frederik Pleitgen (@fpleitgenCNN) February 26, 2022

However, in footage captured by CNN, across the Russian border in Belgorod, a TOS-1 heavy flamethrower system was seen moving towards the Ukrainian border.

The development comes as the International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan said his court may investigate possible war crimes in the country, Reuters reports.

Earlier today, Ukraine's health minister reported that 198 people have been killed and more than 1,000 injured since Putin's invasion began.

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