UK: Russia has lost half a million troops since January 2023

The head of the UK Armed Forces, Rich Knighton, has said Russia has lost approximately half a million soldiers killed since the start of its full-scale war against Ukraine in February 2022. The statement was reported by Sky News and relayed by Yevropeiska Pravda.

According to Knighton, Russia's total military losses, including both killed and wounded, are estimated at around 1.5 million servicemen. He noted that the vast majority of these losses occurred after January 2023.

The UK Armed Forces chief said these figures clearly illustrate a senseless and futile waste of human life, given the minimal progress achieved and the illegitimacy of President Vladimir Putin's stated goal.

Impact on the economy

Knighton also addressed how the war has affected Russia's economy, saying it has led to slower economic growth, weakened consumer demand, and persistently high inflation. He added that the toll on Russia's economy, on the welfare of its population, and on the country's future prospects has been enormous.

Earlier, in July, Estonian intelligence reported that Ukraine's successful air strikes on Russian territory, including new targets such as Wildberries warehouses, were causing significant damage to the Russian economy. It also noted that Russia was tightening control over its population out of fear of growing discontent.