Despite massive human toll, Russia’s military now 15% larger than war’s start — NATO’s Europe Cmdr.
Russia has not only replenished its human losses in the war against Ukraine but has actually increased the size of its military compared to the beginning of its full-scale invasion, NATO European Commander Christopher Cavoli revealed during Congress hearings on April 11.
Russia has suffered significant losses among its ground forces — over 2,000 tanks and 315,000 soldiers wounded or killed. Yet, these losses are being replenished by Russians "much faster" than NATO expected.
"The army is actually now larger — by 15% — than it was when it invaded Ukraine,” Cavoli said.
“Over the past year, Russia increased its frontline troop strength from 360,000 to 470,000."
Read also: Russia advances offensive operations in Ukraine amid growing losses
Russia has raised the upper age limit for conscription from 27 to 30 years, increasing the number of potential conscripts by two million over the coming years, he noted.
As for other losses, Russian strategic forces, long-range aviation, cyber capabilities, space capabilities, and electromagnetic spectrum capabilities have not lost any potential.
"The Air Force has lost some aircraft, but only about 10% of their fleet,” he said.
“The navy has suffered significantly in the Black Sea – but nowhere else and Russian naval activity worldwide is at a significant peak."
Read also: Russia suffering ‘extremely high’ losses while storming in hot zones, says Ukrainian army commander
Russia has increased the production of long-range precision fire systems, and has also begun purchasing ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and long-range drones in third countries that were not involved in the war before.
"Perhaps most concerning, the Russian military in the past year has shown an accelerating ability to learn and adapt to battlefield challenges both tactically and technologically, and has become a learning organization that little resembles the chaotic force that invaded Ukraine two years ago," Cavoli said.
Russia will be a long-term problem, and the war in Ukraine is just one example, he added.
Russian losses in the war against Ukraine
Russia's losses in the war against Ukraine exceed 450,000 military personnel, Ukrainian General Staff announced on April 10.
The total losses of Russians, as published by the General Staff, consist of two main indicators of losses that the enemy incurs during combat operations. Namely, irretrievable losses and combat medical losses of the enemy, the army’s General Staff spokesperson, Andriy Kovalyov, explained on Feb. 27.
Russian losses amount to 180,000 killed and up to 500,000 including wounded, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated earlier.
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