US intelligence estimates that 20,000 Russian fighters have been killed in Ukraine since December, and another 80,000 wounded in combat, a White House spokesman said Monday (May 1).
To discover
Follow information on the war in Ukraine with the Figaro application
“
Since December, we estimate that Russia has had more than 100,000 combatants killed or injured, including 20,000 combat deaths
,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during a press conference. .
Read alsoIn Ukraine, the churches labeled pro-Moscow are resisting: the story of the special envoy of Figaro
Half of the soldiers killed come from Wagner
He specified that half of the dead belonged to the Russian private military group Wagner, and were mostly former prisoners “
thrown into the fighting in Bakhmout (eastern Ukraine) without training or sufficient military command.
"
The conclusion is that Russia's offensive has backfired
," assured John Kirby.
Read alsoSudan: Wagner's troubled game in support of General Hemedti
On the other hand, he refused to comment on the losses suffered by Ukraine, supported by a Western coalition led by the United States.
“
It is up to them to talk about it or not.
I will never make public anything that makes it difficult for them.
They are the victims, Russia is the aggressor
,” he explained.
Most of the fighting in Ukraine in recent weeks has focused on the eastern Donbass region, particularly the city of Bakhmout.
The Russians have very gradually advanced in this largely destroyed industrial city, which they claim to control up to about 80%.