You're reading: At least 1,373 soldiers killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine

Kremlin-backed insurgents have gone on the offensive, taking over most of the Donetsk Airport by Jan. 22 and killing more Ukrainian soldiers. The airport had been under Ukrainian control for nine months.

Some 35 Ukrainian fighters have been killed, including at least 21 servicemen in Donetsk airport, Jan. 15-21 according to the Kyiv Post count, based on official reports, unofficial sources and information from the family. At least 24 Ukrainian fighters have been captured in the last two days.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported some 148 civilians were killed since the cease-fire agreement was signed in Minsk in September. Moreover, at least seven civilians were killed and up to 20 wounded when mortars hit a bus stop in Donetsk in the morning of Jan. 22.

Ukrainian officials report Russia is boosting its military presence across the border. Oleksandr Turchynov, the head of the National Security and Defense Council, said that separatists backed by Russian regular troops have been building up its forces along the frontlines in Donbas on Jan. 22.