According to a declassified U.S. intelligence report, the war in Ukraine has taken a heavy toll on Russian troops, with at least 315,000 soldiers killed or injured.
This staggering number accounts for nearly 90% of the personnel that Russia had deployed at the start of the conflict in February 2022. The report, as cited by Reuters, reveals that Russia initially invaded Ukraine with 360,000 troops.
The scale of these losses has forced Russia to resort to extraordinary measures in order to sustain its fighting capabilities. In late 2022, Russia declared a partial mobilization of 300,000 personnel and has relaxed recruitment standards to include convicts and older civilians. This desperate move highlights the strain that Russia is under as it continues its military campaign.
Furthermore, the report indicates that Russia began the war with 3,100 tanks but has since lost a significant number of them. Approximately 2,200 tanks have been destroyed, leaving Russia with only around 1,300 tanks currently active on the battlefield. To compensate for these losses, Russia has resorted to backfilling its army with T-62 tanks produced in the 1970s.
In the midst of these grim statistics, Russia launched another missile attack on Kyiv, Ukraine, resulting in the injury of at least 53 people. However, Ukraine's air defense systems successfully intercepted all 10 ballistic missiles targeting the capital, according to Ukraine's Air Force. Despite this defensive victory, falling debris caused injuries, and 35 buildings in Kyiv were damaged.
In response to the ongoing conflict, President Joe Biden announced an additional $200 million military aid package to Ukraine. This aid is intended to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was visiting the White House and meeting with congressional leaders to appeal for more U.S. assistance when the announcement was made.
The situation in Ukraine remains tense, with Russia's military losses mounting and Ukraine's determination to defend its sovereignty unwavering. As the conflict continues, the international community closely watches the developments and the impact they may have on regional stability.
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