Russia loses 900 elite soldiers in the Battle of Ukraine

Russia has lost more than 900 Special Forces soldiers, paratroopers, marines and pilots in more than six months of war in Ukraine, the BBC’s Russian Service said on Thursday, citing publicly available data.

The death of such soldiers is particularly problematic for the Russian Armed Forces because it is very expensive to replace them.

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At least 337 Marines have been killed since the offensive began on February 24, while National Guard special forces and riot police have lost 245 soldiers.

According to the BBC, Russia’s military intelligence lost 151 soldiers, elite paratroop units killed 144 members, and the Federal Security Service (FSB) and Federal Guards Service (FSO) together suffered 20 casualties. Several officers were among the dead.

In addition, according to the BBC, at least 67 fighter pilots, including sailors and mechanics, have died.

The BBC reported that it takes up to 17 years to train a military pilot and costs $14 million.

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The BBC drew its figures from publicly available information on Russian military deaths, including local media reports, but warned that under-disclosure meant that Russia’s actual casualty figures, including those of elite soldiers, were likely are significantly higher.

The Russian Defense Ministry last updated its death toll to 1,351 in March.

Western defense officials estimate that more than 80,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the start of the offensive.

Russia loses 900 elite soldiers in the Battle of Ukraine

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(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NEWS EAST INIDA staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)