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UK Defense Ministry: Russian losses may have reached 200,000 troops

by The Kyiv Independent news desk February 17, 2023 11:08 AM 1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance

Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia's army and private mercenary groups have likely lost 175-200,000 people in Ukraine, of which up to 60,000 were killed, the U.K. Defense Ministry reported on Feb. 17.

Prisoners recruited by the Kremlin-backed private mercenary Wagner Group have allegedly suffered a casualty rate of up to 50%.

"The Russian casualty rate has significantly increased since September 2022 when 'partial mobilization' was imposed," reads the report.

These figures demonstrate a high ratio of troops killed compared to those injured by modern standards of warfare, according to the ministry.

"This is almost certainly due to extremely rudimentary medical provision across much of the force," the U.K. Defense Ministry wrote on Twitter. The largest share of Russian losses among personnel is caused by artillery, it added.

The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Feb. 17 that Russia had lost 141,260 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24 last year.

Defense Ministry: Wagner Group losing up to 80% of some assault units near Bakhmut

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5:52 PM

Reuters: Chinese military officers have been present behind Russian lines with Beijing’s approval.

More than 100 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine are acting as mercenaries and do not appear to have direct ties to Beijing, according to two U.S. officials cited by Reuters. However, a former intelligence official told Reuters that Chinese military officers were present behind Russian lines, with Beijing’s approval, to observe and draw tactical lessons from the war.
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