Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine war, British intelligence agency says

Key Points:

• New intelligence from the UK's Government Communications Headquarters estimates that nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, marking the highest official figure reported by any government.
• The UK intelligence estimate surpasses previous figures and experts suggest the actual number may be higher due to poor Russian frontline medical care and the high proportion of non-Russian troops sent to the front.
• Russia has warned all foreign nationals, including diplomats, to evacuate Kyiv ahead of planned retaliatory strikes targeting military-industrial sites, following a Ukrainian drone attack in Russian-occupied Luhansk.
• Contrary to a mistaken statement by the EU's top foreign policy chief, the U.S. embassy in Kyiv remains open and operational, with U.S. officials emphasizing ongoing security reviews and advising Americans not to travel to Ukraine.
• Recent intense Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other regions have been met with Ukrainian strikes on strategic Russian targets, including a major oil refinery, with analysts noting a shift in the war's momentum favoring Ukrainian forces.