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Russian forces have suffered 100,000 casualties — including 20,000 fatalities — during the war in Ukraine since just December, according to new White House estimates.
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby disclosed the figures on Monday based on American intelligence.
Many of the Russian casualties are believed to be from the Wagner mercenary group, which incudes many Russian convicts who fought without sufficient training, Kirby told reporters.
The White House previously estimated in February that the Wagner Group specifically had suffered 30,000 casualties since the start of the war last year.
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Russia and Ukraine have been locked in bitter conflict in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut for months. Russia has been trying to take the city, but Ukrainian military officials said they have launched some counterattacks to oust Russian forces.
“Russia’s attempt at an offensive in the Donbas, largely through Bakhmut, has failed,” Kirby said.
He declined to provide an estimate for how many Ukrainian troops have been killed or injured in the war.
— with Jay Solomon