Ukrainian military intelligence says Ukrainian troops have killed a Russian general near the besieged city of Kharkiv, the second senior commander of the country's red bears to die in the invasion.
Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, First Deputy Commander of Russia's 41st Combined Arms Forces, was killed on Monday (7/3), the head of the Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry said in a statement, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Another Russian general, Andrei Sukhovetsky, also Deputy Commander of the 41st Joint Arms Forces, was killed in late February.
Ukraine claims its troops have killed more than 11,000 Russian soldiers. Meanwhile, Russia has only confirmed the deaths of about 500 of its soldiers. However, neither side has revealed any casualties in the Ukrainian military.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that conscripts and reservists did not take part in Russia's military operations in Ukraine and would not join.
"I want to emphasize that conscripts do not and will not take part in hostilities, and there will be no additional reserve calls from the reserves," he said.
"Missions are carried out only by professional troops," she stressed in a video speech commemorating International Women's Day which falls on March 8, which was posted on the Kremlin website, as quoted by TASS.
Putin expressed confidence, "they will stand firm in providing security and peace to the Russian people".
He spoke to the mother, wife, sister, fiancé and girlfriend of Russian soldiers and officers, "who are now fighting for Russia during special military operations".
"I understand how you worry about your loved ones and family members," he said.
"You can be proud of them, just as the whole country is proud of them and worried about them with you."