UK Estimates Indicate Russia has Lost 15% of Its Tank in Ukrain War

A recent intelligence report from the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has disclosed that Russia has suffered significant losses, with approximately 15 percent of its tank inventory destroyed, damaged, or captured during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. According to the report, Ukrainian defenders, armed with sophisticated anti-tank weapons and missiles provided by Western allies, including the US, are credited with neutralizing 2,475 Russian main battle tanks.

In addition to the tank losses, the UK MoD estimates that over 7,100 Russian armored vehicles and 1,300 artillery systems have been neutralized by Ukrainian forces. This marks a substantial blow to Russia military capabilities, underscoring the effectiveness of the defensive measures employed by Kyiv.

The report also highlights Ukrainian successes in countering Russian air power, with 93 fixed-wing aircraft, 132 helicopters, and 320 drones reportedly downed since the invasion began in February 2022. These figures underscore the resilience and effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses against various aerial threats.

In terms of military casualties, the MoD report indicates that Russia has suffered over 300,000 military casualties. Notably, this figure does not include losses from private military contractors, such as the Wagner Group, estimated to be around 100,000. The intelligence also reveals that "tens of thousands" of Russian soldiers have reportedly deserted their units since the conflict onset, reflecting challenges within the Russian military.

Concerning Ukrainian casualties, a civic group from Ukraine has released a report confirming the deaths of at least 24,500 Ukrainian soldiers. The group suggests that this number may represent only 70 percent of the actual casualties, and the total number of deceased troops, both in combat and non-combat situations, could exceed 30,000.

Amid these developments, the report sheds light on growing dissatisfaction within the ranks of the Russian military. Wives of Russian military personnel, sent to Ukraine, recently staged their first public street protest against the prolonged deployment of their spouses. The protesters, carrying banners, called for the withdrawal of their husbands from the frontline and criticized the government for not properly rotating soldiers. However, Russian legislation has not yet permitted soldiers to reunite with their families amid the ongoing conflict, contributing to what the intelligence report describes as "unsustainable" combat deployments and negatively impacting morale on the battlefield.

These revelations from the UK MoD intelligence report underscore the significant toll the conflict has taken on Russia military capabilities and the complex dynamics at play within both the Russian and Ukrainian armed forces.