The U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized that Russia has already suffered 700,000 casualties, both killed and wounded, in its war against Ukraine and will continue to incur significant losses. As reported by a UNIAN correspondent, Austin made this statement at a briefing following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group ("Ramstein-25"), held at the namesake airbase in Germany.
"Since 2022, Russia has endured over 700,000 casualties in Ukraine," Austin stated.
The Pentagon chief highlighted that over three years of full-scale war, Moscow has suffered more losses than in all other conflicts combined since World War II.
"Russian losses in Ukraine now exceed two-thirds of the total strength of the Russian army at the beginning of the war chosen by Putin," Austin noted.
The U.S. Secretary of Defense added that in November 2024 alone, Russia was losing nearly 1,500 soldiers a day.
He also reminded that Moscow is currently even recruiting troops from North Korea for a war they should not be involved in.
"This is yet another clear sign of Putin's desperation," Austin said.
According to him, troops from North Korea have already suffered over a thousand casualties since joining Putin's war against Ukraine in December, but other estimates suggest much higher losses. Austin remarked:
"Meanwhile, the economic cost of Putin's imperial fantasies for ordinary Russians is also staggering."
The Pentagon chief reported that the Kremlin plans to allocate about 40% of the Russian budget for 2025 to continue the war. This represents a 25% increase in military spending compared to last year. At the same time, the Russian ruble continues to decline, and the Kremlin has become more isolated. Russia's global status and strategic position continue to deteriorate.
As Austin pointed out, Putin has not achieved any of his strategic objectives.
He was also asked whether the expectations from all the "Ramstein" meetings had been met or if they had failed.
Austin reiterated that Russia has suffered 700,000 military casualties in the war.
"And the war is not over. They will continue to incur more losses moving forward. They have lost a lot of equipment. Putin is isolated. He lacks the ability to project military power as he once did. We saw this in Syria. Therefore, I think I would question whether Ukraine has failed... I believe Russia has failed," Austin emphasized.
The War in Ukraine - Russian Losses
According to the latest data from the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the total combat losses of Russian occupying forces amount to approximately 803,100 soldiers wounded and killed.
On December 8, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian losses exceed 750,000 people. This includes 198,000 killed Russians and over 550,000 wounded.