The US National Security Council revealed that Russian forces in Ukraine have suffered about 100,000 casualties, including 20,000 killed in combat, since December..
Ukraine: The scene of a bloody conflict
According to NSC spokesman John Kirby, the injury and death figures are based on information and cooperative intelligence. Half of the victims correspond to the Wagner group, a private organization of mercenaries that support the Russian armed forces.
Wagner’s mercenary units have been actively involved on the eastern front, increasing their presence since July 2022 and fighting in different battles in Donbas. The Ukrainian casualties, however, were not reported by the spokesman, indicating that this information corresponds to Ukraine.
Wagner’s group has been involved in the most violent clashes in recent months, in cities such as Popasna, Sievierodonetsk, Lisichansk, Soledar and Bakhmut, the latter becoming an important axis of the battle on the eastern front.
Russian forces and the “winter offensive”
In recent months, Russian forces maintain pressure on several fronts, especially in eastern Ukraine. Heavy fighting took place in Bakhmut, Kupyansk, Svatove-Kreminna line, Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, Vuhledar and Marinka, with significant human and material losses on both sides.
Some analysts refer to these attacks as the “winter offensive”, and Russia’s intention to complete the occupation of Lugansk and Dontesk Oblasts.
It is expected that with the arrival of warm weather and the reinforcement of armor, the Ukrainian Armed Forces will start a new counter-offensive, which will probably increase casualties and clashes in the region.
United States: Monitoring the situation
The US government continues to monitor the situation and provide information on Russian casualties in Ukraine.. The war continues fiercely, and the lines of contact hardly change, with daily gains of only a few meters in some cases.
The Russian-Ukrainian military conflict remains a matter of great global concern, and the coming months are expected to be crucial in determining the course of the war.
