Some 190 Ukrainian Soldiers Killed in Artillery Strikes, Russia Claims

Around 190 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 31 pieces of equipment were destroyed by Russian artillery on Tuesday.

In a press conference, Russian defense ministry reported that Russian artillery attacked more than 400 objects of the armed forces of Ukraine.

"Artillery units hit 11 command posts, 54 firing positions of Ukrainian artillery units, two depots of fuel and lubricants, as well as 342 strong points, areas of concentration of manpower and military equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," said Igor Konashenkov, spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry.

Since the start of their ‘special military operation’ Moscow claims it has eliminated more than 146 Ukrainian airplanes, 112 helicopters, 683 unmanned aerial vehicles, 281 air defense systems, 2,756 tanks and other armored vehicles and 316 multiple rocket launchers.

Ukraine’s military alleged Russian forces are aiming to take key towns of Rubizhne and Popasna in a bid to encircle troops in Donetsk. Mariupol’s mayor Vadym Boychenko said more than 200 people were still in the southern Ukrainian city’s steel plant as evacuation efforts remain stalled. Shortly after, Russia shelled the plant. There was also a shelling at a coke plant in Avdiivka, where at least 10 people were reportedly killed on Tuesday.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine announced on Facebook that they killed 40 Russian soldiers, and destroyed 5 tanks, 7 artillery systems and a mortar in the east of the country on May 3. Kyiv says it has destroyed 1062 Russian tanks, 2567 APVs, 475 artillery systems, 162 MRLS, 80 anti-aircraft systems, 194 aircraft, 155 helicopters, 1843 military vehicles, 291 drones and 84 cruise missiles.