Military chiefs claim 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded in Ukraine since invasion
Military chiefs claim that 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the invasion of Ukraine
According to military leaders, up to 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The Norwegian military’s estimate is much higher than previously thought.
Top US general Mark Milley suggested the toll was around 100,000 last November. It is unclear how many troops Ukraine has lost since the country was invaded on February 24, 2022. Both sides have a policy of not disclosing losses.
Vladimir Putin’s army is currently making a desperate attempt to seize territory before more than 300 Western tanks reach the war zone in Ukraine.
According to military leaders, up to 180,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Top US general Mark Milley suggested the toll of the Russian army was around 100,000 last November
Western officials said Russia was trying to replace lost troops with hundreds of thousands of reservists and a partial mobilization of civilians, including convicts. They admitted that Russia was making “creeping gains” in eastern Ukraine, but insisted that the Kremlin’s forces are not big enough to make a strategic breakthrough.
Putin’s partial mobilization has “semi-stabilized” the Russian frontline, which is making progress again after months of retreat and delay. An official said: “Russia has had some tactical successes, but this is a “sideshow of a sideshow.” Russia has more mass [than Ukraine] but it is unlikely that the reservists brought to the front lines formed into cohesive groups. Russia is trying to gain momentum, but its forces are falling short of the strategic tasks assigned to them.” The official predicted that the “grinding conflict” is likely to continue this year.
About the influx of Western tanks, they said: “Russia is aware of timetables.” Ukraine is currently in a defensive position as it waits for the tanks.
Vladimir Putin’s army is currently making a desperate attempt to seize territory before more than 300 Western tanks reach the war zone in Ukraine
Most will be German-made Leopard 2s following a landmark decision by Berlin to send tanks and lift export restrictions for NATO allies.
Other tanks include 14 Challenger 2s from Britain and 31 M1 Abrams from the US.
Ukrainian crews started training in the UK this week. At the end of March, the troops, accompanied by the British tanks, return to the country. They are already skilled tank drivers, but must adapt to the specific requirements of the Challenger 2. In recent weeks, Russian troops have taken cities in Donetsk province. Their goal is to secure the strategically important city of Bakhmut.
Before the invasion, it had a population of 70,000. But civilians have fled the city as Russian troops approach the city.
Ukraine could be forced to withdraw from Bakhmut – a move that would deal a major blow to the country’s morale.
A Western official said, “Bakhmut is totemic in the public narrative, which puts pressure on both sides. But military judgment will have to be exercised.
We are not going to speculate on the outcome. In the past, Ukraine has been wise in choosing the timing of withdrawals as they redraw their defense lines. Territories will be exchanged and the conflict will not end anytime soon.”
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