(Reuters) – Russian diplomats on Friday rejected the accusation made by the White House that the Russian military was killing its own soldiers who refused to follow orders in Ukraine. The Russian embassy in Washington stated that these allegations are nothing but fantastical lies created by someone with an overly active imagination. They further claimed that the purpose of these lies is to justify Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive. The embassy asserted that all remarks made by the White House spokesperson regarding this matter are untrue.
The White House spokesperson, John Kirby, claimed on Thursday that the U.S government possesses information suggesting that the Russian military has been executing soldiers who disobey orders. Kirby also alleged that Russian commanders are threatening entire units with execution if they attempt to retreat from Ukrainian artillery fire. However, Kirby did not provide any evidence to support these claims.
Ukraine has initiated a counteroffensive, which has resulted in the recapture of several villages in the south and east. Nonetheless, this offensive is progressing at a slower pace compared to a previous advance in occupied northeastern Ukraine last year.
On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared that Russian casualties have significantly increased in the past week. Zelenskiy specifically mentioned a brigade-sized group of troops who suffered losses while attempting to advance on the eastern town of Avdiivka.
These developments were reported by Ron Popeski and edited by Daniel Wallis.
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