Russia has lost a staggering 87 percent of the total number of active-duty ground troops it had prior to launching its invasion of Ukraine and two-thirds of its pre-invasion tanks, a source familiar with a declassified US intelligence assessment provided to Congress told CNN.
Still, despite heavy losses of men and equipment, Russian President Vladimir Putin is determined to push forward as the war approaches its two-year anniversary early next year and US officials are warning that Ukraine remains deeply vulnerable. A highly anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive stagnated through the fall, and US officials believe that Kyiv is unlikely to make any major gains over the coming months.
The assessment, sent to Capitol Hill on Monday, comes as some Republicans have balked at the US providing additional funding for Ukraine and the Biden administration has launched a full-court press to try to get supplemental funding through Congress.
Brutal numbers. Let’s not forget that Russia can’t just move all its troops west, they still need to protect other borders and regions.
I really hope the US passes a proper aid, and even more so that EU gets themselves together and continues support. Infuriating to see that while Ukrainians are fighting for their lives (and unintentionally also for the safety of Europe), the politicians are haggling over fucking pocket change.
The only way Russia can win if the west stops Ukraine’s support, and they grind them up over the next years. This would be a catastrophic strategic failure, and would mean the end of global US/NATO influence, motivating the start of many more annexations (definitely Taiwan as a start).
Yes, for all the people saying “it’s not that many”, this is a huge number. No military campaign can withstand 80% losses. That’s like the losses Napoleon took invading Russia. Or Hitler, invading Russia…
Guys, I’m thinking this invading thing is hard in this part of the world.
There are plenty of people that have had success invading Russia.
On horseback.
From the east.
Mongolia, what’s up? You’ve had a good break, now’s your time to shine again.
You want an unstoppable raping, pillaging, murdering force rolling West over every opposition, against all odds, and only stopped by the logistical impasse that is the sea and the festering attrition of greed?
Because, that’s how you get an unstoppable raping, pillaging, murdering force rolling West over every opposition, against all odds, and only stopped by the logistical impasse that is the sea and the festering attrition of greed.
edit: sorry for the historical caricature, kiddos. Lighten up, FFS.
What’s part of the reason Russia wants to occupy Ukraine. Its a lot easier to defend - against what enemy Russia thinks it needs to defend itself. Its not like someone is seriously planning to attack a nuclear power.
