The United States has reportedly lost its 40th high-ranking officer as the invasion of Ukraine reaches its 50th day. Lt. Col. Denis Mezhuev, commander of the 1st Sevastopol Motorized Rifle Regiment, died in the battle, according to reports from both Russia and Ukraine. No details were given, nor was there any official Russian confirmation of the Ukrainian claim, but the patriotic Russian poet Andrey Kovalev asked for Mezhuev to be posthumously awarded Russia’s top distinction. “For his act he is worthy of the title of Hero of Russia,” he published. Another account of his death on social media VK reported: “His son can be proud of his dad.” Ukraine says Russia has now lost a total of seven generals and 33 colonels in the war. The scale of the high-profile death toll defies Vladimir Putin’s claim that his “special military operation” is proceeding according to plan. The total Russian casualties since the start of the war on February 24 are estimated at about 20,000 – but Moscow has refused to give exact figures. A day earlier, the surrender of Ukrainian forces in Mariupol reportedly led Russian troops to the body of a slain Russian general. The Russians retrieved the body of Lt. Gen. Oleg Mitiaev, 47, commander of the army’s 150th Motorized Rifle Division, according to sources.
