Russia has one of the world’s largest armies, but a new report says the conflict in Ukraine – which is estimated to have cost in the region of 30,000 Russian lives – could force its collapse.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin reportedly believes that the “blood sacrifice” of all those young men, along with over 200 warplanes destroyed, around 174 helicopters, 1,349 tanks and 13 boats is a “price worth paying” for the control of Ukraine.
But as his ambitions have had to be scaled down in the face of fierce Ukrainian resistance, Russian military leaders are increasingly unsure what the sacrifice has been for and troops' morale is sinking.
Bruce Jones, an expert on Russian intelligence and military affairs, told The Mirror: “There has to be a point when Russian forces cannot take any more losses, a cut-off point. “This would be a straw that broke the camel’s back moment, where units would no longer be able to function as a fighting force because they are so depleted."The secret report seen by senior UK government officials and written by a top UK analyst, was obtained by the Mirror.
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