Around 15,000 Russian troops have been killed as Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine enters its ninth week, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has told MPs.
Giving an update on the conflict, Mr Wallace said the death toll suffered by Vladimir Putin’s forces came in addition to the loss of thousands of pieces of military equipment by Russia.
He told the House of Commons that latest estimates suggest more than 2,000 Russian armoured vehicles have been destroyed or captured – including at least 530 tanks, 530 armoured personnel carriers and 560 infantry fighting vehicles.
Mr Putin had also seen the loss of more than 60 helicopters and fighter jets, as well as the sinking of its Black Sea fleet flagship, the Moskva, Mr Wallace said.
It was noted that Russia’s death toll in Ukraine was now more than double the number of US casualties during the conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq, waged as part America’s ‘war on terror’ since the 2001 attacks on New York.
The Defence Secretary told MPs that Russia had seen more than a quarter of the 120 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) it initially committed to the Ukraine invasion now rendered ‘not combat effective’.
He said the beginning of Mr Putin’s invasion had seen the Russian President commit approximately 65% of his entire ground combat strength.
Defence experts say most Russian BTGs have between 700 to 800 personnel, but a few have around 900 troops.
Mr Wallace also confirmed to MPs that Britain was increasing its support for Ukraine by gifting Kyiv a small number of ‘Stormer’ armoured vehicles fitted with launchers for anti-air missiles.
He told MPs this would give Ukraine’s military ‘enhanced short-range anti-air capabilities both day and night’.
The 5.6 metre-long ‘Stormer’ vehicles weigh 13.5 tonnes and can travel at 80kph (50mph).
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