Ukraine says Russian forces have lost more than 5,700 soldiers

By Ruslan Rehimov

KYIV, Ukraine (AA) - The Ukrainian General Staff announced Tuesday that Russian forces attacking Ukraine have lost more than 5,700 soldiers.

As many as 5,710 Russian army soldiers who attacked Ukraine were killed and 200 taken as prisoners, according to a statement.

During the past five days, the Ukrainian army has destroyed 29 Russian-owned aircraft, 29 helicopters, 198 tanks, 846 armored vehicles, 77 cannons and two ships.

Russian forces also lost 24 rocket launcher systems, 305 vehicles, 60 fuel vehicles, seven air defense systems and three unmanned aerial vehicles, said the statement that added information regarding ongoing conflicts was not included in the figures.

Since Russia's war on Ukraine began last Thursday, it has been met with outrage from the international community, with the EU, UK and US implementing a range of economic sanctions against Russia.

Russia was further isolated after its planes were barred from flying in European and Canadian airspace and a number of its banks were kicked out of the SWIFT international banking system.

At least 136 civilians, including 13 children, have been killed and 400 others, including 26 children, injured in Ukraine, according to UN figures.

Around 660,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the UN Refugee Agency said on Tuesday.

* Writing by Merve Berker