The Department of Defense (DoD) estimated Monday that the number of Russian Casualties during its war on Ukraine has reached approximately 70,000 to 80,000 troops.
The estimated figure of Russians killed or wounded in action had not been shared publicly before Monday’s DoD press briefing and may not be exactly precise, according to Military.com.
“You know, precise figures, there’s a lot of fog in war, but…I think it’s safe to suggest that the Russians have probably taken 70 or 80,000 casualties in less than six months,” Dr. Colin Kahl, the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, stated during the press conference.
As many as 80,000 Russian troops hurt or killed in 🇺🇦 — Pentagon
“US casualty estimate is pretty remarkable considering that 🇷🇺 have achieved none of Vladimir Putin’s objectives at the beginning of war,” Colin Kahl, undersecretary of defense for policy.https://t.co/O7fDifjPSY
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) August 9, 2022
Kahl was also not sure how accurate Kiev’s estimates of 100-200 Ukrainian casualties per day was, but stated “Ukrainian morale and will to fight is unquestioned and much higher” than Russian forces, according to the transcript. (RELATED: US Shells Out Largest Military Aid Package For Ukraine)
Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces Monday also released their own numbers though their social media. The post lists that 42,000 Russian personnel had been “liquidated.”
CIA Director William Burns’ estimated July 20 that around 15,000 killed Russian troops had been killed in the war, Reuters reported. U.K. intelligence stated that casualty rates for Russian soldiers were “extraordinary,” according to U.S News and World Report.
Human Rights watchdogs have sharply criticized the war, including claims that Ukraine had employed battle tactics that could endanger citizens. The U.S. Government has also accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine during the conflict.