Europe1 .fr with AFP 07:37, January 23, 2023

On the 333rd day of the war in Ukraine, the hour is to take stock of the losses for the Russian and Ukrainian troops, Norway establishes an estimate almost a year after the start of the conflict.

Meanwhile, a senior Ukrainian ministerial official, suspected of embezzlement, was dismissed on Sunday.

THE ESSENTIAL

In Donetsk and Kherson, fighting continues to rage.

Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

In the region of Zaporijjia, the Russians continue their advance.

Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Ministry on Sunday denied signing inflated price contracts for food products for its soldiers and a senior official was sacked on suspicion of embezzlement, amid an audit internal.

The main information:

  •  Fighting continues in Ukraine, particularly in the regions of Zaporijjia.

  • According to Norway, Ukraine suffered the loss of 100,000 soldiers and its adversary, Russia, 180,000 soldiers.

  • Ukraine's Deputy Community Development Minister has been sacked on suspicion of embezzlement.

What losses for Russian and Ukrainian soldiers?

In almost a year of clashes, the war in Ukraine has left nearly 180,000 dead or injured in the ranks of the Russian army, and 100,000 on the Ukrainian side, not counting 30,000 civilians killed, according to estimates given on Sunday by the head of the Norwegian army.

“Russian losses are beginning to approach around 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers,” said Norwegian Chief of Staff Eirik Kristoffersen in an interview with TV2, without specifying the origin of these figures.

Norway, a country bordering Russia, has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949. "Ukrainian losses are probably over 100,000 dead or wounded. In addition, Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war," added the Norwegian general.

Russia and Ukraine have not given reliable accounts of their losses for months.

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Senior Ukrainian ministerial official sacked

A senior Ukrainian ministerial official suspected of embezzlement was sacked on Sunday, while an internal audit was launched at the Ministry of Defense after press revelations about an alleged contract signed at an inflated price.

"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine orders the dismissal of VM Lozynkiy as Deputy Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine," Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on Telegram.

On Saturday, the Ukrainian National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) arrested Vasyl Lozynkiï on suspicion of embezzlement.

VM Lozynkiï, in office since May 2020, "received (400,000 dollars) to facilitate the conclusion of contracts for the purchase of equipment and generators at inflated prices", had indicated the NABU in a press release.

This dismissal of a politician comes as Ukraine faces electricity shortages following Russian strikes on its energy facilities in the middle of winter.

Russian advance in the Zaporizhia region

The Russian army is advancing towards two villages in the Zaporizhia region of southern Ukraine, where clashes with troops from kyiv have intensified this week, a leader of the regional authority said on Sunday. occupation installed by Moscow.

"The front is mobile, especially in two directions: Orikhiv and Gulyaipole," said Vladimir Rogov, a leader of the regional occupation authority installed by Moscow, quoted by the Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

These two towns, each of about 15,000 inhabitants before the war, are respectively 65 km and 100 km south-east of Zaporijjia, capital of the eponymous region, controlled by Ukrainian troops.

According to Vladimir Rogov, "the initiative is in our hands" and fighting is ongoing in these areas.