The scale of these casualties is Russia’s largest since World War II, according to British analysis.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and top commanders “highly likely prioritise their conflict objectives over the lives of Russian soldiers,” the UK’s report noted, suggesting that the Kremlin accepts high casualty rates so long as public or elite support remains largely unaffected.
It added that minority ethnic groups and poorer regions in Russia have been disproportionately targeted in recruitment drives.
By contrast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Feb. 16 that more than 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since the invasion began in February 2022, with around 390,000 wounded.
(jh)
Source: Polskie Radio 24