Russia is grappling with the aftermath of a declassified US intelligence assessment that reveals a staggering 87 percent reduction in its active-duty ground troops and two-thirds of its pre-invasion tanks since the initiation of the Ukraine invasion.
The report, shared with CNN, underscores the severe toll the conflict has taken on Russian forces, as per to CNN.
Renewed Offensive Inflicts Heavy Russian Losses in Ukraine
Medics, volunteers and military personnel undergo a tactical training, including first aid and the simulation of a wounded comrade evacuation, in the southern Russian Rostov region on October 1, 2023.
The renewed offensive, noted by Washington in mid-October, has resulted in over 13,000 Russian soldiers killed or wounded in battle, with more than 220 combat vehicles lost along the Avdiivka-Novopavlivka axis, according to National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson.
A recent estimate from Britain's defense ministry suggested that Russia may have incurred between 220,000 and 280,000 personnel wounded, with an additional 70,000 killed since the war began in February 2022.
The UK's intelligence update raised concerns about the accuracy of casualty reporting within the Russian military, highlighting a potential lack of awareness among Russian officials regarding the magnitude of their losses.Despite the staggering casualties, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains determined to press forward with the assault, aiming to conquer Ukraine, as revealed by Watson.
The offensive, operating along multiple axes in the east, has not yielded strategic gains for Russia but has come at a severe cost. Some of the fiercest fighting has taken place around the city of Avdiivka, where Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled Russian advances, destroying vehicles and inflicting casualties on enemy personnel.
As the conflict escalates, the role of the United States in providing military support to Ukraine becomes increasingly crucial. The US has been the largest provider of security assistance, contributing over $44 billion in weaponry and aid since February 2022, according to Business Insider.
Urgent Plea for Continued Funding in Ukraine
However, future support is at a critical juncture, with the Biden administration urging Congress to approve supplemental funding for continued assistance into 2024. This plea faces resistance from Republican lawmakers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent visit to Washington aimed at securing additional funding highlighted the urgency of the situation. While President Joe Biden signed a $200 million drawdown in security assistance for Ukraine during the meeting, the available funding is running low.
The Kremlin downplayed the impact of these events on the ongoing war, emphasizing Russia's belief that a winter military deadlock would erode Western support for Ukraine, ultimately giving Russia an advantage.
Despite the lack of significant territorial gains on both sides, the conflict's toll on Ukraine could be devastating without continued US support. The sprawling front line, stretching for hundreds of miles, remains relatively static, and Moscow is expected to intensify its targeting of Kyiv's civil infrastructure with missiles and drones throughout the winter.
War experts warn that delays in funding could lead to irreversible consequences for Ukraine, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. As Congress deliberates on additional funding, the stakes are high, and the international community closely watches the developments in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Voice of America reported.
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