New Delhi, A recently declassified US intelligence report sheds light on the extensive toll the Ukraine war has taken on Russia. According to the report, Russia has suffered nearly 90% casualties among its troops, with 315,000 dead and injured since the conflict began. This substantial loss has not only impacted personnel but has set back Russia’s military modernization by 18 years, as stated in the report.
The assessment, based on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, reveals that Russia commenced the conflict with 360,000 personnel. The subsequent findings indicate that 87% of Russian troops, totaling 315,000, have been killed or injured during the course of the war.
“The scale of losses has forced Russia to take extraordinary measures to sustain its ability to fight,” states the report. In response to the extensive casualties, Russia declared a partial mobilization of 300,000 personnel in late 2022 and has relaxed recruitment standards, even allowing the enlistment of convicts and older civilians.
The impact on Russia’s military assets is also noteworthy. The report highlights that Russia began the war with 3,100 tanks, losing 2,200 of them during the conflict. To compensate for these losses, Russia has had to deploy T62 tanks from the 1970s, revealing a significant reduction in its armored vehicle capabilities.
Russian officials have contested Western estimates of casualties, emphasizing that the numbers are exaggerated and underestimate Ukrainian losses. This revelation provides insights into the severe toll the Ukraine war has taken on Russia, both in terms of human resources and military capabilities.
