US intelligence leak: Russian losses in war may be several times higher than official figures
The US Defense Intelligence Agency estimates the total combat losses of both sides in the war in Ukraine at 354,000 people.
This is evidenced by secret documents of the US Department of Defense leaked to the Internet, which were reviewed by Reuters.
"According to an estimate collated by the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency, Russia has suffered 189,500-223,000 total casualties, including 35,500-43,000 killed in action and 154,000-180,000 wounded," the material says.
At the same time, Ukraine's total losses amounted to 124,500 to 131,000 people, of whom 15,500 to 17,500 were killed and 109,000 to 113,500 were wounded.
"These figures are about 10 times higher than any public figures on casualties released by Moscow or Kyiv," Reuters notes.
At the same time, the agency notes that these documents could have been forged.
"In one American document posted on Russian telegram channels, the casualty figures were grossly altered to reduce Russian losses and increase Ukrainian ones. Reuters has seen two versions of the same document, one of which was clearly altered," the article says.
The leaked documents also provide data on Russian and Ukrainian losses of equipment.
"Russia, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency, has lost 2,048 tanks and 3,900 APCs while Ukraine has lost 468 tanks and 1,020 APCs," the article says.
U.S. intelligence officials also point out that Russia has a numerical advantage in some areas, but Ukraine has managed to deploy more tanks and APCs on the battlefield.
"Ukraine has 802 tanks and 3,498 APCs fielded, while Russia has 419 tanks and 2,928 APCs in theater," the secret documents say.
We would like to add that the authenticity of this leak has not yet been established and Reuters has not been able to independently verify the information provided.
As reported, last week The New York Times reported that the Pentagon is investigating the leak of classified documents on social media concerning US and NATO plans for a planned counteroffensive by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Advisor to the Head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podolyak said that the release of the alleged documents on Ukraine's counteroffensive was a Russian bluff.
The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the leaked documents.