NEW DELHI: The United States estimated that Russia's military has suffered 100,000 casualties since December. The US claims that the huge number of casualties show that Russia’s effort for the winter offensive in Ukraine has backfired. According to the US estimate, more than 20,000 Russian troops have died and another 80,000 were injured in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Bakhmut. 

White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby informed that the latest figure is based on US intelligence estimates and the total also includes over 20,000 killed in action. “We estimate that Russia has suffered more than 100,000 casualties, including over 20,000 killed in action,” he told reporters.

“Russia's attempt at an offensive in the Donbass, largely through Bakhmut, has failed. Russia has been unable to seize any really strategically significant territory," he added. 

He further said, "Last December, Russia initiated a broad offensive across multiple lines of advance, including toward Vuhledar, Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and Kreminna. Most of these efforts stalled and failed." 

Kirby informed that Russia's incremental gains in Bakhmut have come at a terrible cost. He said that Russia has exhausted its military stockpiles and its armed forces. "The bottom line is that Russia's attempted offensive has backfired. After months of fighting and extraordinary losses, Russia continues to be focused on a single Ukrainian city with limited strategic value," he added.