Counting Russia's dead in Ukraine - and what it says about the changing face of the war

 Στρατηγός Φρ. Φράγκος: No comments!!..

‘25 million reserves’

Russia believes if it can just dig in and hold on, Western support for Ukraine will eventually fracture, says Dr Jack Watling, the Rusi land war expert.

If Ukraine can break through Russia’s fortifications in its long-planned counter-offensive, the depleted, inexperienced troops may suffer a “significant collapse”, he says.

But whatever happens, Dr Watling says Russia is unlikely to run out of manpower, citing defence minister Sergei Shoigu on the country’s mobilisation of civilians. “When he says, ‘I have 25 million reserves’, he is not joking. He's quite serious about the intent.”

These are just two of the 25,000 dead fighters who have been identified by the BBC, independent Russian media organisation Mediazona, and a team of volunteers, using information from official reports, newspapers, social media, and new memorials and graves.

Διαβάστε αναλυτικά το άρθρο στην ιστοσελίδα:www.bbc.co.uk