The mortality rate of Ukrainian infantry in Russia's Kursk region increased due to the sudden cold weather; there were no warm clothes so they suffered from cold in fixed positions - a source in the Russian Northern Group told Sputnik.
"Thanks to the effectiveness of the combat cooperation of units of the Northern Group, Ukraine cannot rotate troops and provide warm clothes, ammunition and food. Ukrainian soldiers, who had previously occupied positions in Kursk region, were left with fragile uniforms and no warm clothes. Due to the sudden cold weather, the mortality rate from cold prices is very high" - the source said.
In recent days, the temperature during the cold spell in Kursk has dropped to minus 15 degrees Celsius.
"We have seen the number of Ukrainian soldiers dying in the forests increase rapidly. The seriously injured soldiers had little chance of surviving until morning. The Ukrainian side has not evacuated its troops from the battlefield," the source added.
According to the latest data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, in the military campaigns in Kursk province, Ukraine has lost more than 60,780 soldiers, 363 tanks, 268 infantry fighting vehicles, 216 armored personnel carriers, 1,879 armored fighting vehicles, 1,986 cars, 439 artillery pieces, 48 rocket launch complexes, including 13 HIMARS complexes.
Although the fighting is still ongoing, the conflict in Ukraine has basically ended - the US magazine The National Interest commented.
"In fact, the conflict in Ukraine has ended. US President Donald Trump did not directly declare this, but through joint efforts, US leaders have come to the conclusion that the war cannot continue. Moreover, the Russian defeated Ukraine, which means Moscow defeated NATO" - the article reads.
According to the author, in most countries, the outcome of the conflict is fairly judged to be in Russia's favor, when they agree that Moscow has the upper hand over its opponent.
The US, by the trick of gradually reducing aid to Ukraine, could gradually separate from NATO and shift the financial burden to the European Union (EU), which will have to " take care of itself".
The author believes that if this scenario occurs, European countries will not have enough resources to support Ukraine in continuing the war. That would deprive Kiev of the right to participate in the negotiations between Russia and the US.
"Given that Ukraine cannot fight Russia without the help of NATO member states, first of all the US, the proposal for Ukraine to sit at the negotiating table seems quite unreasonable," the article author explained.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump had a nearly hour and a half-long phone call on February 12.
According to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the two leaders discussed issues related to exchanges of Russian and US citizens, as well as resolving the situation in Ukraine.
Mr. Peskov noted that Washington is a direct target of Moscow in resolving the situation in Ukraine.
After that, President Trump announced plans to meet Russian leader Putin in Saudi Arabia. Russian and US officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia on February 18 to launch preparations for the upcoming summit of the two Russian and US presidents.
