This year, the Russian armed forces' main goal was to repulse Kiev's counteroffensive that involved brigades trained in the West, the top general said, adding that the Russian forces are constantly expanding the areas of control in all directions.
"Over six months, enemy losses in all directions amounted to about 160,000 people, more than 3,000 armored combat vehicles, including 766 tanks, as well as 121 aircraft, 23 helicopters," Gerasimov said at a briefing for foreign military attaches. The meeting addressed the performance Russian Ministry of Defense in 2023.
The Ukrainian armed forces launched the counteroffensive on June 4 and were unable to overcome even the tactical defense zone, built by Russian troops, which resulted in Ukraine's suffering huge losses in the Zaporozhye direction, he noted.