Russian military capability halved, UK defense official says
The Russian military has lost nearly half of its forces in Ukraine, a top British defense official has said.
Moscow, the Kremlin skyline.Photo: PAP/ gm/soa/ Grzegorz Michałowski
Speaking before the House of Commons defense committee on Tuesday, British Armed Forces Commander Admiral Tony Radakin highlighted the ongoing Ukrainian counteroffensive and dismissed claims of a slow progress, emphasizing that the objective was to create a greater challenge for Russia along the extensive frontline.
„The question is, how do you take a front line that is more than a thousand kilometers long and turn it into more of a problem for Russia than for Ukraine?” he said. „That is why you are seeing multiple axes being probed and feints by Ukraine.”
The admiral acknowledged the complexities faced by the Ukrainian forces, such as the unexpectedly high concentration of Russian troops and the lack of air cover for the Ukrainian army. He also pointed out that the Ukrainian troops had not yet received all the necessary military equipment.
Although the full-scale counteroffensive is yet to commence, Radakin noted that Ukraine has already gained more territory in recent weeks than Russia has in the past year. He emphasized that the Russian forces have been significantly weakened and are incapable of launching a counterattack.
„Russia has lost nearly half the combat effectiveness of its army,” Radakin revealed. „Last year, it fired 10 million artillery shells, but at best, can produce 1 million shells a year. It has lost 2,500 tanks and, at best, can produce 200 tanks a year.”
(jh)
Source: PAP, The Insider
