Russia’s losses are “enormous” as Vladimir Putin’s army will emerge from the war significantly weakened, according to a German general.
Christian Freuding, who oversees the German army’s support for Ukraine said that Western figures shows that 300,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in action or wounded.
Russian has lost thousands of tanks and thousands of other pieces of military hardware since the war started on 24 February 2022.
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Freuding told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, “You know that according to Western intelligence figures, 300,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or so seriously wounded that they can no longer be mobilised for the war.”
“The Russian losses of men and material are enormous,” said Freuding, who is also a key advisor to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
He added, “The Russian armed forces will emerge from this war weakened, both materially and in terms of personnel.”
Leaked US intelligence reports earlier in December shows that 315,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded.
Freuding cautioned, Russia is currently still recruiting new troops “including the use of prisoners,” they are making significant efforts to replace lost equipment, AFP reports.
“And, of course, we are seeing massive investments in the arms industry,” he said.
Freuding said that Russia are showing greater “resilience” than the West expected, adding, “We perhaps did not see, or did not want to see, that they are in a position to continue to be supplied by allies.”
The Kremlin are planning a “prolonged war effort” as they are plotting a “long-term restructuring and expansions efforts” by using “strategic reserves,” a new report shows.
German media has quoted sources claiming that Russian forces are strategising to “occupy Ukrainian territory beyond the four (illegally) annexed Ukrainian oblasts throughout 2024-2026.”
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said, “Russia’s reported plans for the war in Ukraine through 2026 are in line with continued Russian preparations for a prolonged war effort.
The Russian military command is pursuing long-term restructuring and expansion efforts to form strategic reserves, and Russia has been gradually mobilising its DIB to sustain a long war.
The ISW added, “Russia’s reported medium to long-term plans to occupy territory beyond the four (illegally) annexed territories are also plausible considering that Russian officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have reverted to expansionist rhetoric recently, and Russian forces continue offensive operations to expand their positions in Kharkiv Oblast.”
Speaking about the Bild report, the US think tank said, “ISW cannot independently authenticate BILD’s reporting, but Russia’s reported plans for the war in Ukraine through 2026 are in line with continued Russian preparations for a prolonged war effort.”
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