dramatic numbers. In almost a year of fighting, the war in Ukraine has left nearly 180,000 dead or wounded in the ranks of the Russian army, and 100,000 on the Ukrainian side, not counting the 30,000 dead civilians, according to estimates provided this Sunday by the Chief of General Staff. . norwegian army.
“Russian losses are beginning to approach 180,000 soldiers killed or wounded,” said the Norwegian chief of staff, Eirik Kristoffersen, in an interview with TV2, without specifying the origin of these figures.
Norway, a country bordering Russia, has been a member of NATO since its founding in 1949.
“Ukrainian losses probably exceed 100,000 killed or wounded. Furthermore, Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war,” the Norwegian general added. Russia and Ukraine have not given reliable accounts of their losses for months.
The role of Ukrainian air defenses.
In November, US Army Chief Mark Milley said the Russian military had suffered losses of more than 100,000 killed or wounded, with a “probably” similar number on the Ukrainian side. These figures cannot be independently verified.
Despite its heavy losses, “Russia is capable of continuing (this war) for quite some time,” the Norwegian chief of staff also said on Sunday, citing Moscow’s mobilization and weapons production capabilities.
“The biggest concern is whether Ukraine will be able to keep the Russian air force out of the war, when up to now it has largely been able to keep it out” thanks to Ukraine’s anti-aircraft defenses.
Most of the Russian attacks in recent months have been carried out with long-range missiles.
Tanks for Ukraine?
The Norwegian general also called for the speedy delivery of main battle tanks to Ukraine, a dossier that has so far been largely withheld by Germany.
“If they have to go on the offensive over the winter, they need it fast,” Eirik Kristoffersen told TV2.
Despite urgent appeals from Ukraine and several European countries, Berlin on Friday refused to supply its Leopard tanks to Kyiv.
These heavy tanks are present in the ranks of several other European nations, including Norway, but their delivery to Ukraine is theoretically subject to a German green light.
Source: BFM TV
