Ukraine’s forces have pushed backed Vladimir Putin’s troops by more than 44 miles in some clashes close to Kyiv, its defence chiefs claimed on Thursday.
However, the Kremlin is not believed to have given up hope of surrounding and seizing the capital in order to topple President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government.
“In some sectors the enemy was driven back by more than 70 km (44 miles), in some sectors the enemy is at a distance of 35 km,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Oleksander Motuzyanyk told a televised briefing.
Without citing evidence, he said the Kremlin had been sending additional military equipment to Belarus to reinforce its troops attacking Kyiv.
The claims came after British defence chiefs said earlier on Thursday that Ukrainian forces may be able to encircle Mr Putin’s troops in areas close to Kyiv as they suffer “considerable supply and morale issues”.
In an intelligence briefing update on the conflict around Kyiv, the Ministry of Defence said: “Ukrainian forces are carrying out successful counter attacks against Russian positions in towns on the outskirts of the capital, and have probably retaken Makariv and Moschun.
“It is likely that successful counter attacks by Ukraine will disrupt the ability of Russian forces to reorganise and resume their own offensive towards Kyiv.”
Mr Putin is believed to have planned to seize Kyiv within days of launching his invasion, which has left thousands of civilians dead as his forces have resorted to increasingly indisiscriminate shelling and air strikes.
But now there are reports that Russian troops are digging trenches and other defensive position around the capital.
The British defence chiefs added: “Ukraine is increasing pressure on Russian forces north-east of Kyiv. Russian forces along this axis are already facing considerable supply and morale issues.”
They also stressed that there is a “realistic possibility” that Ukrainian forces are now able to encircle Russian units in the Bucha and Irpin areas close to the capital.
The Ministry of Defence added that Russian forces have almost certainly suffered “thousands of casualties” during the invasion which was launched four weeks ago, with a figure of around 10,000 Russian troops killed believed to be a “reasonable estimate”.
Six Russian generals are thought to be among the fatalities, with the number of soldiers injured and incapacitated believed to be three to four times higher than the death toll.
The MoD added: “Russia is likely now looking to mobilise its reservist and conscript manpower, as well as private military companies and foreign mercenaries, to replace these considerable losses.
“It is unclear how these groups will integrate into the Russian ground forces in Ukraine and the impact this will have on combat effectiveness.”
