KEY POINTS

  • 6 Russian commanders have reportedly been dismissed since the war began
  • A total of 10 Russian commanders have died in the war in Ukraine, says the intel
  • Ukraine says 42,200 Russian soldiers have been killed so far

Russia has dismissed six commanders due to their "poor performance" in the war in Ukraine, according to British intelligence.

As per the British intelligence update published Sunday, the dismissed commanders included General-Colonel Aleksandr Chayko of the Eastern Military District; General-Colonel Aleksandr Zhuravlev of the Western Military District; General Aleksandr Vladimirovich Dvornikov, who was given overall command over the invasion; and General Gennady Valeryevich Zhidko of the Southern Grouping of Forces.

"The poor performance of Russia's armed forces during its invasion of Ukraine has been costly for Russia's military leadership, highly likely resulting in the dismissal of at least six Russian commanders since the start of hostilities in February 2022," the intelligence update said.

"These dismissals are compounded by at least 10 Russian Generals killed on the battlefield in Ukraine. The cumulative effect on consistency of command is likely contributing to Russian tactical and operational difficulties," it added.

The British intelligence comes days after Ukrainian officer Anatonly Shtefan Stirlitz posted a footage on Telegram in which he claimed that a precision strike on a small Russian convoy "denazified and demilitarized" six commanders and five soldiers — a reference to Moscow's stated reason for invading Ukraine.

Stirlitz added that the convoy was coming back from a meeting when they were struck by Ukrainian missiles. It was not immediately clear when or where the strike took place. However, Stirlitz mentioned the 56th Motorized Brigade, a Russian military unit that has been active in the eastern Donbas region and around the city of Mariupol.

It is unclear how many Russian troops have died since the war began. Moscow has yet to release an official tally since March. An estimate by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine puts the Russian death toll at 42,200.

In response to Moscow's military losses, North Korea has offered 100,000 "volunteer" troops to help Russia win the war against Ukraine, Russian defense pundit Igor Korotchenko said on Kremlin-backed media Russian Channel One, the New York Post reported.

During the interview, Korotchenko also notably praised the North Korean military's "wealth of experience with counter-battery warfare" and said Russia should let North Korean forces fight against "Ukrainian fascism" should they "desire to meet its international duty."

Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the Donbas region
Russia Ukraine