Russia’s Losses in Ukraine Rise to 762,440 Troops
The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on December 15 that Russia has lost 762,440 troops since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. This number includes 1,280 casualties over the past day.
Russia’s losses also include significant equipment damage, with 9,551 tanks, 19,707 armored fighting vehicles, 31,398 vehicles and fuel tanks, 21,128 artillery systems, 1,256 multiple launch rocket systems, 1025 air defense systems, 369 airplanes, 329 helicopters, 20,356 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine lost.
Ukraine’s government has been calling for increased sanctions on Russia. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of inflicting “maximum pain” on Russian President Vladimir Putin through additional sanctions and enhanced military support for Ukraine.
The conflict is not limited to Ukraine. North Korean soldiers allegedly killed eight members of the Chechen Akhmat unit in a friendly fire incident, according to reports. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has classified this incident as a terrorist attack and detained a 37-year-old resident suspected of acting on instructions from Russian special services.
Ukrainian authorities have also been working to prevent a food crisis in Syria. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that North Korean units have sustained “noticeable losses” alongside Russian troops in Kursk Oblast.
The US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, announced on December 13 that the US is considering more sanctions on “shadow fleet” tankers and may target Chinese banks if they are involved in Russia’s war effort.