Number of Russian troops killed and wounded in Ukraine approaching 200,000 - NYT

This is said in a report published by The New York Times, which analyzes Russian tactics, referring to assessments from American and European officials.

“That toll, in just 11 months, is eight times higher than American casualties in two decades of war in Afghanistan,” the report reads.  

It is noted Russia suffered huge manpower losses during the fierce battles for Bakhmut and Soledar.

At the same time, experts say that the loss of life is unlikely to be a deterrent to Putin’s war aims. “Putin can sustain hundreds of thousands of casualties in Ukraine, although higher numbers could cut into his political support,” the report reads.

Experts also pointed to “myriad military supply and tactical problems” to explain the Russian tactics. The Russian military is running low on artillery, standoff munitions. The Russian command is substituting these shortages by sending convicts in human waves to the front lines.

“Moscow has thrown people it sees as expendable into battles for decades, if not centuries, in particular during World War II,” the report says.

As reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 129,870 Russian troops in Ukraine from February 24, 2022 to February 3, 2023.

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