Russia has lost 1,000 troops-a-day to ferocious Ukrainians in big blow to Putin
Official numbers released by the Ukrainian government show that Russia has lost 11,000 soldiers so far in the war as Putin's forces struggle against motivated opponents
Chris HughesDefence and Security Editor (Mirror)
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Russian forces have lost 1,000 troops a-day to a ferocious defence from Ukrainian troops and defiant citizen warriors, according to official Ukrainian numbers.
The loss of 11,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen by day 11 of the invasion has been a massive blow to Moscow, which is now calling up reserves.
Defence experts usually calculate invading commanders usually need an advantage in numbers of around three to one to attack a defending force.
In house to house combat in inner cities, which is what Moscow is attempting, this calculation can be as many as four to one needed.
A Russian Su-30 shot down over Ukraine
It is estimated that Russia began the invasion with around 230,000 troops, in Belarus to the north, on the eastern flank and offshore in the Black Sea.
That is only a few thousand more than Ukraine ’s entire armed forces, it is believed, but the defenders were better-trained.
And by adopting a full-on assault offensive on towns and cities that are well defending by a well-motivated force the Russian troops are now mired in urban combat.
It is estimated that Russia began the invasion with around 230,000 troops, in Belarus to the north, on the eastern flank and offshore in the Black Sea.
That is only a few thousand more than Ukraine ’s entire armed forces, it is believed, but the defenders were better-trained.
And by adopting a full-on assault offensive on towns and cities that are well defending by a well-motivated force the Russian troops are now mired in urban combat.
Putin and Russia appear to have underestimated the resistance they would meet from Ukrainians (
Image: Zuma Press/PA Images)
They lost the initiative and momentum quickly by allowing supply lines to get cut off and also by being flanked by Ukraine’s troops and militia.
In addition they under-estimated Ukraine’s air defences which have remained well-hidden and efficient, bringing down a staggering 44 warplanes.
The air defences and missile teams have also shot down 48 attack and troop carrier helicopters in less than two weeks of fighting.
Image: Zuma Press/PA Images)
They lost the initiative and momentum quickly by allowing supply lines to get cut off and also by being flanked by Ukraine’s troops and militia.
In addition they under-estimated Ukraine’s air defences which have remained well-hidden and efficient, bringing down a staggering 44 warplanes.
The air defences and missile teams have also shot down 48 attack and troop carrier helicopters in less than two weeks of fighting.
A Russian tank burning in the city of Sumy
The Mirror understand these Ukrainian estimates of the toll on Russia’s armed forces may even be conservative numbers.
One headline loss is also the amount of armour taken out by Ukraine’s anti-tank teams, in particular using UK supplied NLAW weapons, destroying 285 tanks.
As well as this 447 vehicles have been blown up or disabled by an unrelenting defence from Ukraine’s armed forces and militia.
Almost 1,000 armoured vehicles have been destroyed and 109 artillery systems have been wiped out in Ukrainian attacks.
On Saturday alone Russia lost four helicopters, five warplanes and one unmanned drone, testimony to western-supplied weaponry given to Ukraine’s forces.
Two of Moscow’s warships, bristling with weapons, have also been disabled or destroyed in attacks by the defenders.
One headline loss is also the amount of armour taken out by Ukraine’s anti-tank teams, in particular using UK supplied NLAW weapons, destroying 285 tanks.
As well as this 447 vehicles have been blown up or disabled by an unrelenting defence from Ukraine’s armed forces and militia.
Almost 1,000 armoured vehicles have been destroyed and 109 artillery systems have been wiped out in Ukrainian attacks.
On Saturday alone Russia lost four helicopters, five warplanes and one unmanned drone, testimony to western-supplied weaponry given to Ukraine’s forces.
Two of Moscow’s warships, bristling with weapons, have also been disabled or destroyed in attacks by the defenders.
A Ukrainian serviceman stands at a captured Russian tank
Russia says West arming Ukraine will cause 'global collapse' in chilling warning
Many hundreds of Russian troops have been captured, treated if they are wounded and have even been filmed denouncing the invasion as wrong.
Some of those found abandoned by their comrades or left behind in attacks had run out of food days ago and were hungry and thirsty.
In one shock video some were found to have been given tinned rations that were six years past their sell-by date.
And some vehicle crews were captured after simply running out of petrol as the logistics chain of the invasion broke down because of Ukraine’s defences.
At a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday, captured Russian troops condemned the mission and called on their fellow citizens to rally against the conflict.
Andrey Chuvatarevsky, a soldier who served on a contract basis in the Moscow region, said: "Russians, do everything possible to stop this war.
Many hundreds of Russian troops have been captured, treated if they are wounded and have even been filmed denouncing the invasion as wrong.
Some of those found abandoned by their comrades or left behind in attacks had run out of food days ago and were hungry and thirsty.
In one shock video some were found to have been given tinned rations that were six years past their sell-by date.
And some vehicle crews were captured after simply running out of petrol as the logistics chain of the invasion broke down because of Ukraine’s defences.
At a press conference in Kyiv on Saturday, captured Russian troops condemned the mission and called on their fellow citizens to rally against the conflict.
Andrey Chuvatarevsky, a soldier who served on a contract basis in the Moscow region, said: "Russians, do everything possible to stop this war.
Despite setbacks, Russian forces have continued their advance towards Kyiv (
Image: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Tech)
"Neither Ukraine nor Russia needs this war. Only Putin needs this war. Try to inform the President, drive the military away from the equipment so that they don’t drive and bomb the civilian population.
"If you take to the streets, the President will decide to withdraw the troops. Then there will be no war."
Fellow captured soldier Mikhail Kulikov warned that Ukrainian children were suffering.
The two men were among ten soldiers who spoke at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine after voluntarily surrendering.
Prisoner Dmitry Gagarin told relatives and friends in Russia not to listen to Russian propaganda. "I would like all the people of Russia to hear that here everything is not like they say on Russian television," he said.
"There are no Nazis. Here are ordinary peaceful people who have rallied against one person – Putin, who wanted to be a conqueror."
Image: Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Tech)
"Neither Ukraine nor Russia needs this war. Only Putin needs this war. Try to inform the President, drive the military away from the equipment so that they don’t drive and bomb the civilian population.
"If you take to the streets, the President will decide to withdraw the troops. Then there will be no war."
Fellow captured soldier Mikhail Kulikov warned that Ukrainian children were suffering.
The two men were among ten soldiers who spoke at a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine after voluntarily surrendering.
Prisoner Dmitry Gagarin told relatives and friends in Russia not to listen to Russian propaganda. "I would like all the people of Russia to hear that here everything is not like they say on Russian television," he said.
"There are no Nazis. Here are ordinary peaceful people who have rallied against one person – Putin, who wanted to be a conqueror."
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