Half a million Russian troops killed since start of full-scale invasion of Ukraine, British intel reports

Key Points:

• British intelligence estimates that approximately 500,000 Russian troops have been killed in the war against Ukraine, with total Russian casualties (killed, wounded, and missing) reaching around 1.5 million since February 2022.
• Most Russian losses have occurred since January 2023, during which Russia has gained only 2% of Ukrainian territory, highlighting the limited progress of Moscow's military campaign.
• The high casualty rate is described as a "senseless and futile waste of human life" by the UK military head, Sir Rich Knighton, who also noted the severe economic impact on Russia, including slowed growth and high inflation.
• Ukraine's General Staff confirmed that Russian personnel losses now exceed the combined toll of Russian and Soviet forces in all conflicts since the mid-20th century, emphasizing the unprecedented scale of the current war.
• In response to economic pressures, including inflation risks from Ukrainian drone attacks on oil facilities, the Russian Central Bank has maintained its key interest rate at 14%, reversing previous expectations of a rate cut.