Published On 18 Feb 202318 Feb 2023facebooktwitterwhatsapp
Russia’s Wagner mercenary group has suffered more than 30,000 casualties since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last February, with about 9,000 of those fighters killed in action, the United States has claimed.
The US estimates that 90 percent of Wagner Group fighters killed in Ukraine since December 2022 were convicts, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at a regular briefing on Friday.
Half of the overall deaths among Wagner mercenaries have occurred since mid-December, as fighting in Ukraine’s eastern city of Bakhmut intensified, according to US intelligence.
Kirby said the mercenary group had made incremental gains in and around Bakhmut over the last few days but those advances had taken many months to achieve and came at a “devastating cost that is not sustainable”.
“It is possible that they may end up being successful in Bakhmut but it will prove of no real worth to them…
2023-03-09 13:00:05
Link from www.aljazeera.com
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine’s Donbas region has claimed thousands of lives and has resulted in numerous casualties. In recent years, the conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of foreign mercenary groups, including fighters from a shadowy organization known as “Wagner.”
News reports from the United States suggest that the group has suffered a considerable loss in terms of personnel. According to the reports, American intelligence estimates that Wagner has lost around 30,000 fighters in the conflict thus far.
The number is staggering and implies that the group has suffered significant damage to its fighting capabilities. Wagner has been linked to the Kremlin and Moscow’s attempts to support separatist forces in eastern Ukraine. The group operates in secrecy, and its fighters are not officially recognized by the Russian government.
American officials have previously accused the Russian military of providing support to Wagner, including weapons, training, and logistical support. The group has been involved in the conflict in Ukraine since 2014, and its fighters have also been seen in Syria and Africa.
Despite the significant loss of personnel, there is no indication that Wagner is withdrawing from the conflict. The group’s presence in Ukraine is a reminder of the ongoing struggle in the region and the broader tensions between Russia and the West.
The conflict in eastern Ukraine remains unresolved, with ceasefires breaking down and sporadic fighting continuing. The United States and other Western countries have imposed economic sanctions on Russia as a result of its role in the conflict, and the situation has contributed to the deterioration of relations between Russia and the West.
The loss of 30,000 fighters is a significant development, but it is unclear how it will impact the conflict overall. The situation is complex, with multiple actors involved, and the conflict has roots in historical, linguistic, and cultural differences.
As the conflict continues, it is essential that all sides work towards a peaceful resolution that upholds the rights of all Ukrainians and promotes stability in the region. The loss of life, regardless of who is responsible, is a tragedy and a reminder of the devastating impact of armed conflict.