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.

  • jettrscga@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    If 45,000 are left in Ukraine and Ukraine is approximately 400 miles wide, that’s still 112 Russian troops per linear mile to push west.

    Obviously they aren’t spaced in one line across the country like that, but it gives some perspective on how many are left and how much space they could fill.

    • Redredme@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Do really really believe that?

      If yes then

      A) the Russians must have some supertech to hold back the Ukrainian push of the last few months. Just 112 men per mile againsts those columns of Bradley’s and Leopards. Wow.

      Or

      B) the Ukrainians are truly shit fighters.

      I go for C). These figures which are spoon fed to us are bullshit.

      Just look at the numbers of the past year or so. If we believe them the Russian army is no more and has been defeated 6 months ago.

      But they aren’t. They’re still there.

      • fatzgebum@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        I think you should read the full article in order to really understand what these numbers mean and what they don’t mean.