April 8, 2025

Russian Ministry of Defense:  Up to 855 Ukrainian casualties in the past day

Russian Defense Ministry

👮‍♂️ The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

💥 In Belgorod direction, the Sever Group of Forces engaged formations of a mechanised brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two territorial defence brigades close to Krasnopolye, Prokhody, Turya, and Miropolskoye (Sumy region).

▪️The AFU losses amounted to more than 110 troops, two motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. Two field ammunition depots were eliminated.

📍The Zapad Group of Forces’ units took more advantageous positions. Russian units damaged materiel and manpower of two mechanised brigades of the AFU, and a territorial defence brigade close to Redkodub, Drobyshevo, Novoye, and Kirovsk in the Donetsk People’s Republic.

▪️The AFU lost up to 220 troops, a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, and six artillery guns. One ammunition depot was destroyed.

📍The Yug Group of Forces’ units improved the tactical situation. Russian troops engaged formations of a heavy mechanised brigade, two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the AFU near Novodmitrovka, Konstantinovka, Kleban-Byk, and Novoolenovka (Donetsk People’s Republic). 

▪️The enemy lost up to 270 troops, two U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, 17 motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns.

📍The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian units hit manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, an air assault brigade of the AFU, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade near Bogdanovka, Dmitrov, Yelizavetovka, Kotlino, Novosergeyevka, Kotlyarovka, and Zverevo (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▪️The AFU losses amounted to up to 410 troops, three U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, and three armoured fighting vehicles including two American MaxxPro armoured vehicles. Seven motor vehicles and eight field artillery guns have been neutralised.

 mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, and a territorial defence brigade near Chervonaya Zirka, Komar, Volnoye Pole, and Burlatskoye (Donetsk People’s Republic).

▪️The AFU lost up to 165 troops, three motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and an electronic warfare station.

💥 The Dnepr Group of Forces engaged formations of a mechanised brigade, a coastal defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade near Pavlovka, Novodanilovka (Zaporozhye region), and Sadovoye (Kherson region).

▪️Up to 90 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, nine motor vehicles, three electronic warfare stations, and an ammunition depot have been neutralised.

✈️ Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack UAVs, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the depots for missile and artillery weapons, the workshop for manufacturing unmanned aerial vehicles as well as clusters of AFU manpower and hardware, and foreign mercenaries in 149 areas.

🎯 Russian air defence systems have shot down three JDAM guided bombs, seven U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, and 102 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

📊 In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the AFU lost

 660 aircraft,

 283 helicopters, 

 50,279 unmanned aerial vehicles, 

 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 

 22,721 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 

 1,534 MLRS combat vehicles, 

 23,353 field artillery guns and mortars,

 33,790 units of support military vehicles.

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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.