The Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that he killed Russian General Vitaly Gerasimov, which would be the second casualty of a high-ranking soldier in combat since Moscow decided to invade the neighbouring country.

“Another loss among the senior command staff of the occupation army. During the fighting near Kharkiv, Vitaly Gerasimov, a Russian military leader, major general, chief of staff and first deputy commander of the 41st Army of the Russian Central Military District, was killed. Several senior officers of the Russian army were also killed and wounded,” the Ukrainian forces reported.

According to information from the Ukrainian authorities, Gerasimov participated in the second Chechen war and in the Russian military operation in Syria. In addition, he received a medal “for his return from Crimea”.

“The data obtained also indicates significant problems in the communication of the occupying army (Russia) and the evacuation of its units,” the statement added.

On February 28, Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky, commanding the Russian 7th Airborne Division, was killed in combat with the Ukrainian army.

His death was confirmed by a local organization of officers in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia.

Sukhovetsky, 47, participated in Russia’s military campaign in Syria. The funeral ceremony will take place in Novorossiisk.

On the other hand, Russia has sent to Ukraine practically all the troops concentrated in recent months on the border between the two countries, the Pentagon said on Monday, which on its side sent 500 additional soldiers to Europe to reinforce the security of the NATO.

Faced with intensifying Russian operations, Moscow is now looking to “recruit” foreign fighters, including Syrians, the US Defense Department said.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters in Washington that Russian forces “haven’t really made any noticeable progress in the last few days” apart from gains in southern Ukraine.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered over the weekend the deployment of “an additional 500 US military personnel to locations in Europe to augment forces already there,” a Defense Department official told reporters.

“These additional forces will be positioned to respond to the current security context” following the Russian invasion of Ukraine “and to strengthen NATO’s defensive and deterrent capabilities, particularly on the eastern flank,” he explained.

The Pentagon has already deployed an additional 12,000 military personnel to Europe this year.