CLOCK | Russia suffered ‘significant’ equipment losses trying to cross a key bridge, UK intelligence

• Ukraine successfully prevented Russia from crossing a tactically important bridge, UK intelligence said.
• Russia suffered a “significant” loss of equipment in its attempt, the Defense Ministry said.
• The “highly risky” attempt shows the pressure Russia faces to show progress, he added.
• For more stories go to www.BusinessInsider.co.za.

Ukraine prevented Russia from crossing a key bridge in the country’s east and Russia suffered heavy equipment losses in a “highly risky” operation that shows the pressure its military is under, UK intelligence said.

The UK Ministry of Defense saying on Friday that “Ukrainian forces successfully prevented an attempt to cross the Russian river in the Donbas”.

“Imagery indicates that during the crossing of the Siverskyi Donets River west of Severodonetsk, Russia lost significant armored maneuver elements from at least one Battalion Tactical Group, as well as deployed pontoon bridge equipment.”

He said the losses were a sign of how Russia’s military is under pressure to show some progress in its invasion.

“Carrying out river crossings in a contested environment is a very risky move and speaks to the pressure Russian commanders are under to advance their operations in eastern Ukraine.”

Russia has focused its efforts on eastern Ukraine after its attempt to take over the entire country stalled in the face of strong Ukrainian resistance.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry released photos Wednesday that it said showed Russian equipment destroyed in the Siverskyi Donets River by Ukrainian forces.

Insider has not independently verified the photos allegedly showing the aftermath of the botched assault.

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