British Defence Ministry estimates 70,000 Russians killed in Ukraine
Dec 05, 2023
London [UK], December 5: Around 70,000 Russian regulars and mercenaries have fallen since the invasion of Ukraine, Britain's Ministry of Defence (MoD) estimated in its daily update on the war published on Monday.
The figure is made up of 50,000 troops from the Russian military as well as a further 20,000 Wagner Group mercenaries and covers the period from February 24, 2022 to the end of November this year.
A further 180,000 to 240,000 regulars have been injured, along with 40,000 mercenaries, according to the report.
"This gives an estimated range of between 290,000 and 350,000 total Russian combatant casualties. The median of the estimate range is 320,000 total Russian combatant casualties," the MoD said. Both sides closely guard their casualty figures, making confirmation of the estimates impossible.
According to a NATO estimate at the end of November, Russian casualties - fallen and injured - topped 300,000.
In the summer, the New York Times reported 120,000 Russians killed and between 170,000 and 180,000 wounded, citing US government officials. The estimates for Ukraine came in at 70,000 killed and between 100,000 and 120,000 injured.
Source: Qatar Tribune
