The Russian military may have had more than 1,00,000 soldiers killed and wounded in its war with Ukraine, a top US general estimated on Wednesday, adding that Kiev’s armed forces “probably” suffered similar casualties in the war. “You’re looking at over 1,00,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded. The same probably on the Ukrainian side. A lot of human suffering,” sources quoted Army General Mark Milley as saying to the Economic Club of New York.
As many as 40,000 Ukrainian civilians may have died in the ongoing conflict, which has raged for more than eight months, since the Russian invasion began in February, the official added. His remarks are said to offer the highest US casualty estimate to date since the start of the war. Hindustan Times could not independently verify the figures. Despite the casualties, US officials say Moscow has been unable to achieve its goals in Ukraine, and questions have been raised about how long it will be able to sustain the invasion.
Russia announced on Wednesday that its troops were withdrawing from the key city of Kherson, which is seen as a major setback for Moscow. The development is being hailed as the most significant military development since Ukrainian forces managed to break through the northern Kharkiv region in September. Kherson was one of four Ukrainian regions that were “illegally” annexed by Russia in September. Once the withdrawal is complete, several thousand square kilometers of this annexed territory will be surrendered, the sources said.