Russia has suffered over at least 100,000 victims, including at least 20,000 dead, in V last only five months, the White House said Monday.
In what became a grinding war of exhaustion, the most cruel battles Was in Eastern Donetsk region where Russia struggling surround city of Bahmut in V face of stubborn Ukrainian defense.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the US assessment is based on recently declassified American intelligence. He did not detail how intelligence community brought out the number.
General Mark Milley, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff of The staff said in November that Russia suffered well over 100,000 killed or wounded in V first eight months of war. new figures suggest that Russia’s losses have accelerated sharply in recent months.
Wagner mercenary troops from Russia group and other forces are at war with Ukrainian troops house-To-house try to get control of what became known as “the road of life” – vol. last the remaining road to the west in Ukrainian hands that do it critical for supplies and fresh troops. Both sides announced their achievements in last days.
Kirby said almost half of killed since December – Wagner forces, many of their convicts who were released from prison To join Russia fight. He said the Wagner forces were “thrown V combat and without sufficient combat or combat education, combat leadership, or any sense of organizational management and control”.
The White House has repeatedly tried to emphasize cost – both people and weapons – to Russia of Bakhmut, which is said to be of limited strategic importance to the overall trajectory of war. Some analysts, however, note that taking control of Bakhmut could help Russian efforts to move into larger cities. of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk in Donetsk region
Kirby said that the number of victims among Russians for “this small town of Bahmut” was in line with some of the most violent times of fighting during World War II, including the Battle of of Convex, last big german offensive campaign on Western Front and Guadalcanal campaign, first major ally offensive against Japan.
“It’s three times number of killed in actions that the United States faced on Guadalcanal campaign in World War II and it was over well of five months,” Kirby said.
Colonel General Alexander Syrsky, head of Ukrainian ground forces, Russia said, continue to strike.maximum effort” to take Bakhmut, but still failed.
“In some places of V city, enemy was counterattacked by our units and left some positions,” he said.
Kirby declined say how many Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded in fighting. Milly said in November that Ukrainian losses were likely also around 100,000.
