Russia reveals number of troops killed and injured in Ukraine

Some 498 Russian servicemen have been killed and nearly 1,600 wounded during the ongoing attack on Ukraine, Russia’s military officially announced on Wednesday.   
The Defence Ministry refuted reports that there have been “countless” casualties, branding the claims as deliberate disinformation originating from Kiev.   

According to Russian military estimates, Ukrainian army units and far-right paramilitaries have reportedly lost at least 2,870 soldiers, while a further 3,700 have sustained various wounds. Some 572 Ukrainian servicemen have been taken prisoner, the ministry added.   

The official casualty figures announced by Moscow differ drastically from the claims voiced by Kiev, which alleged that more than 5,800 Russian soldiers had perished since the invasion began.Meanwhile the UN General Assembly voted to rebuke Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demand that Moscow’s forces leave the former Soviet republic immediately.   

The nonbinding resolution was passed on Wednesday, with 141 countries voting in favor, 35 abstaining, and five opposing the measure.   

 Belarus, Syria, North Korea, Eritrea, and Russia itself voted against the resolution.   

India, South Africa, and Iraq were among the members that abstained, as were Russian allies such as Iran, Cuba, and Kazakhstan 
Russia, (rt.com), 2 Mar, 2022

China slams US for ‘fake’ reports it was tipped off   

China, (Courtesy South China Morning Post) -   China hit back at the United States after reports it had been tipped off about the Russian attack on Ukraine on Thursday ahead of an expected second round of talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Belarus.   

On day eight of the invasion, Russian forces resumed offensive operations on all fronts. In the south they secured the city of Kherson, the first major city captured in the advance.   
The report was first circulated by the The New York Times.   

The Chinese embassy in Washington issued a denial on Wednesday. “The claims are speculations without any basis and are intended to blame-shift and smear China,” embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said.