Putin's War Worries: Declassified Intelligence Report Lays Bare Staggering Extent of Russia's Military Losses in Ukraine
Despite the heavy losses suffered by the Russian armored divisions, the UK believes that Vladimir Putin is capable of continuing his war indefinitely.
Dec. 27 2023, Published 11:06 a.m. ET
A recently declassified U.S. intelligence report sheds light on the significant military personnel decline Russia has suffered during the 22-month conflict with Ukraine, estimating an 87 percent reduction in its February 2022 numbers.
According to the report, the total Russian military casualties amount to 315,000, translating to a daily average of over 450 individuals killed or injured, Reuters reported.
The "special military operation" initiated by President Vladimir Putin nearly two years ago has, per the report, set back Russian armor improvements by 18 years.
CNN highlights a notable consequence of the setback: the loss of two-thirds of Russia's tanks, totaling 2,200, with the country now relying on T-62 tanks from the 1970s.
The intelligence report suggests that, despite Russia still deploying 1,300 armored vehicles against Ukraine, significant losses have been incurred. Of the 13,600 infantry vehicles, 4,400 have been lost, along with 32% of Russia's armored personnel carriers.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet responded to the report, while Kremlin officials continue to assert that Western reports exaggerate Russian losses and downplay Ukrainian losses.
Ukraine also remains opaque about its military losses, citing potential harm to its efforts to stop Russia. In August, the New York Times reported an estimate of approximately 70,000 Ukrainian personnel deaths.
The timing of the report's release raises questions since it was released around the same time as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the White House on Dec. 12.
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The Biden administration is asking for more funds to support Ukraine, but some Republicans argue that any additional aid to Ukraine should be tied to U.S.-Mexico border security changes and they question the impact of allocating $61 billion compared to the previously allocated $100 billion.
Democrats, however, fear that reduced support from the West will give Russia an advantage in the ongoing conflict.
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