Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Not Going Well for Putin
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Not Going Well for Putin
Current Russian military losses estimated at 13,000 killed, more than Russia's 10-year war in Afghanistan
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is surely going far worse than Vladimir Putin could have ever imagined. According to former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, retired US Air Force general Philip Breedlove, the Russian military has suffered approximately 13,000 killed thus far in the conflict as of March 24, 2022.[1] Other assessments of the Russian military’s losses thus far in Ukraine are even worse with one estimate at approximately 16,000 killed and 24,000 wounded or missing in action.
These are extremely high numbers after only 29 days since the launch of Russia’s invasion, especially when considering that the Russian military incurred less than 10,000 killed during its almost ten-year long war in Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989.
In addition to losses in military personnel, Russia is also losing some of Putin’s most senior officials. As stated by Daniel Flynn at The American Spectator this morning, Anatoly Chubais, one of Putin’s closest advisors as a special representative to international organizations, not only resigned his position but has fled the country due to his opposition to the war on Ukraine. Mr. Chubais is a wealthy oligarch who has been involved in senior Russian government positions since the 1990s.[2]
It is also being reported that Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, disappeared from public view for 12 days (until today) along with Valery Gerasmov, chief of the general staff of Russia’s armed forces. Shoigu briefly reappeared on Russian TV earlier today, but without any apparent verification of the date of his TV appearance. Several of Russia’s top intelligence officials reportedly remain under house arrest.
In the meantime, Putin has ordered the execution of Russian military conscripts and others deserting their units in Ukraine. One wonders about the punishment that may occur for those further up the chain of command.[3]
[1] https://video.foxnews.com/v/6301745261001