Eighth Russian general killed in Ukraine in another crushing blow for Putin’s failed invasion after 20,000 troops lost

RUSSIA has lost its eighth general in fighting in Ukraine in another crushing blow to Vladimir Putin’s war effort. It is estimated the Russian tyrant’s failed invasion has already cost the lives of 20,000 troops. EPAA destroyed tank in Rusaniv outside Kyiv[/caption] East2WestMajor General Vladimir Frolov was buried in St Petersburg[/caption] EPAA building has been entirely destroyed after shelling in Kharkiv[/caption] And Major General Vladimir Frolov, deputy commander of the 8th Combined Arms Army, has become the eighth Russian general to be killed in battle. Major Frovolov was laid to rest with full military honours in St Petersburg.  The exact details of how and where he died were not disclosed.  He “sacrificed his life so that children, women and the elderly in Donbas would not hear bombs exploding again”, said the governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov a close Putin ally. READ MORE ON UKRAINE NO GO Live Ukraine war updates: Putin BANS Boris Johnson from entering country over war SICK SWAP Wife of Putin pal seized in Ukraine begs for swap with captured Brit fighter The general was from a military family and “died the death of the brave in battle against Ukrainian nationalists”, said Beglov at his funeral. He was “a true patriot, a brave and courageous man” who “honestly and to the end fulfilled his military and human duty.  “People will not forget their heroes. Eternal memory to him.” Russia also lost another colonel, Miras Bashakov, a tank battalion commander, according to reports today.  He was the 34th senior officer known to have died in a war that has haemorrhaged Putin’s battlefield top brass.  The scale of the high ranking death toll defies Vladimir Putin’s claim that his “special military operation” is going according to plan. Most read in The Sun WHEN HARRY WENT PALLY Inside Harry's secret talks with Queen after Duke 'initiated' meeting BIG BROTHER'S BACK Big Brother set for bombshell return - but with a major change LEGEND GONE Phil Taylor leads tributes as darts commentator and TalkSport host dies at 52 BUNGA-LOW UK's 'smallest detached house' with incredible hidden basement on sale for £215k ORCA HELL World’s worst killer whale attacks as beasts savage and try to drown trainers TURNING HEADS EastEnders' Lacey Turner shares snap of kids - but fans spot the same thing The overall Russian losses since the war began on 24 February are believed to be in the region of 20,000 but Moscow has failed to give accurate figures.  Last month Putin lost another general, Lieutenant-General Andrei Mordvichev, commander of the 8th Combined Arms Army, who was killed in battle at Chornobaivka, near the southern city of Kherson. It follows the death of Major General Andrei Kolesnikov of the 29th Combined Arms Army and  Vitaly Gerasimov, who was killed in fighting outside Kharkiv. Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky was reportedly shot dead by a sniper at the battle for Hostomel Airfield about 30 miles outside the capital Kyiv in early March. And General Magomed Tushaev died when his Chechen special forces column, including 56 tanks, was obliterated near Hostomel, north-east of the city. Major-General Oleg Mityaev, 47, died in Mariupol as well as Lieutenant General Yakov Rezantsev who also died in fighting. Meanwhile, the latest estimates suggest Putin’s savages have now lost an eyewatering 756 battle tanks since the war began on February 24. They have also seen 163 planes and 144 helicopters blasted out the sky above war-ravaged Ukraine. Russia’s latest military humiliation comes as the Kremlin redeploys forces eastward after a disaster campaign to take Kyiv. Fighting in the capital continued today as Russia’s military command warned of renewed missile strikes. In the Kyiv region, authorities have reported finding the bodies of more than 900 civilians, most shot dead, since Russian troops retreated two weeks ago. Smoke rose from the capital again early Saturday as Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a strike that killed one person and wounded several. The mayor advised residents who fled the city earlier in the war not to return. It was the second strike in the Kyiv area since the Russian military vowed this week to step up missile strikes on the capital. The Ukrainian president’s office reported missile strikes and shelling over the past 24 hours in eight regions across the country. Read More on The Sun ON YOUR MARKS Harry & Meg show fun side in mini cars at Invictus Games after Palace talks BACK ON? Katie Price and ex Carl spotted holding hands at the airport after shock split On Saturday an explosion near an outdoor market in Kharkiv, believed to be caused by a missile has left one person dead and at least 18 wounded, according to rescue workers. In southeastern Ukraine, the pummeled southern port city of Mariupol is holding out, but the situation is critical, the Ukrainian president’s office said. East2WestColonel Miras Bashakov also died in battle[/caption] Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund