Russia suffers 'between 175,000 and 200,000 casualties' since invading Ukraine

Russia and its private military contractor (PMC) forces have likely suffered between 175,000 and 200,000 casualties since invading Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has said. 

In its latest update on Twitter, the MOD estimated that up to 60,000 have been killed. 

"The Russian casualty rate has significantly increased since September 2022 when 'partial mobilisation' was imposed," the MOD tweeted.

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"By modern standards, these figures represent a high ratio of personnel killed compared to those wounded.  

"This is almost certainly due to extremely rudimentary medical provision across much of the force. 

"Artillery has almost certainly inflicted the majority of Russia's casualties. 

"Wagner PMC forces have deployed large numbers of convict-recruits.

"These have probably experienced a casualty rate of up to 50%."

These figures come after UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said 97% of Russia's army is involved in the Ukraine war and suffering "almost First World War levels of attrition".

Russia is also faced with the problem of a continued struggling air campaign in Ukraine, the MOD said in an update earlier this week.