Russian Army 'Retreated Chaotically' After Successful Ukraine Counteroffensive In Donetsk Oblast

Russian soldiers attempting to advance in the eastern region of Donetsk were forced to retreat after the Ukrainian army launched a counteroffensive, according to a report.

The Russian army attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses and advance in the directions of Krasnohorivka, Pervomaiske and Nevelske in Donetsk Oblast. However, a counteroffensive operation by the Ukrainian army forced the Russians to pull back from their positions, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (UAF) said in a report.

"With offensive actions, it tried to break through the defenses of our troops and advance in the direction of the settlements of Krasnohorivka, Pervomaiske and Nevelske, it was unsuccessful and retreated chaotically," the report stated.

The Ukrainian army also successfully pushed back Russian soldiers attempting to advance or conduct reconnaissance in the directions of Zaitseve, Soledar, Kodema, Bakhmut and Kurdyumivka.

In the directions of Novomykhailivka and Zolotaya Niva, the Russian army attempted to improve its tactical position but failed due to Ukrainian defenses.

It is unclear if there were any losses among the Russian ranks. However, according to estimates from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Russian military death toll reached 45,550, with 150 new deaths added Tuesday. The ministry also said that the Ukrainian army has destroyed a total of 1,921 Russian tanks, 4,238 combat armored vehicles, 1,033 artillery systems and 3,150 fuel tanks since the war began in February.

The UAF General Staff's latest report comes as Kyiv continues its counteroffensive operation in hopes of retaking temporarily occupied territories. The Ukrainian army bombed key bridges in Kherson Oblast and cut the Russian army's supply lines across the Dnipro River. The push to reclaim Kherson has led to a mass deportation of the families of Russian military personnel living in the occupied region.

Despite Ukraine's counteroffensive operations, the Kremlin still plans to hold referendums in the southern Ukrainian regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk in a bid to make them a part of Russia. It is unclear when the referendums would be held.