Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. Source: Kremlin.ru
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu provided an update on the progress of the special military operation at a Defense Ministry meeting with President Vladimir Putin on December 19.
According to the Defense Minister, the Kyiv regime has lost over 383,000 soldiers since the start of the Russian special operation.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces also suffered significant losses in military equipment. This included 14,000 battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and armored personnel carriers as well as 553 aircraft, 259 helicopters, 8,500 field artillery guns, and multiple launch rocket systems.
As to the counteroffensive attempt of the Kyiv regime, which started earlier in June, Kyiv lost over 159,000 troops, 121 aircraft, 23 helicopters and 766 battle tanks, including 37 Leopard MBTs. Moreover, the Russian Armed Forces eliminated 2348 armored vehicles, including 50 Bradley, of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“159,000 military personnel have been killed and wounded, 121 aircraft, 23 helicopters, 766 tanks, including 37 Leopard, 2348 armored vehicles of various classes, of which 50 Bradley [have been destroyed]. Apparently, this is why we still do not see US Abrams [tanks], delivered several months ago, on the battlefield,” Shoigu said at the meeting.
The Russian military also neutralized ruthless foreign mercenaries involved in the conflict.
“The mercenaries actively recruited since the beginning of the special operation have been mostly eliminated. Over 5,800 militants were killed, including 1,427 from Poland, 466 from the USA and 344 from the UK,” Shoigu said.
Over the past six months, Russian forces shot down 1,062 NATO missiles for MLRS, operational-tactical and cruise missiles, and guided aerial bombs, according to the defense minister.
The number of foreign volunteers wishing to join the Russian Armed Forces has increased by 7 times, while inn Ukraine, the number of mercenaries has dropped by 6 times.
During the special military operation, 272 people received the highest honorary title of Russia – Hero of the Russian Federation. 320,000 people received state awards. The authorities also simplified the procedure for obtaining combat veteran status.
650,000 soldiers and officers of the Russian Armed Forces received combat experience in the course of the special military operation.
Shoigu noted that thanks to the work of military doctors, the survival rate of wounded soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces has increased exponentially.
Russia’s defense industry has quadrupled. The pace of creation of new weapons for the RF Armed Forces has reached the pace of the Great Patriotic War.
“Despite sanctions, we produce more high-tech weapons than NATO countries,” Shoigu told.
The Russian Armed Forces are provided with artillery ammunition in accordance with their tasks. Contract soldiers and volunteers now receive salaries of 210,000 rubles and more. 40 billion rubles have been allocated for the housing for participants of the special military operation.
According to the defense minister, since the beginning of 2023, 490,000 contract soldiers have joined the Armed Forces.
Meanwhile, the 10th wave of mobilization is already underway in Ukraine. The Kyiv regime mobilizes even citizens that are fit for limited military service only.
As to Russia, the plans for recruiting have been fully implemented by the end of 2023. The target number of 1,150,000 people has been reached. In 2024, the figure will rise to 1,320,000 people. In 2025, it will increase to 1,500,000.
The Russian Armed Forces formed two new military districts, two combined arms armies, a new mixed aviation corps, 4 divisions, 18 brigades and 28 regiments.
1530 battle tanks, 2518 armored fighting vehicles, 237 aircraft and helicopters, 86 air defense systems, 67 radar stations were supplied to the Russian Armed Forces. 1,700 crews of UAV operators and 1,500 FPV drone operators were trained.
The level of modern weapons in the Russian strategic nuclear forces has been increased to 95%. They are in high combat readiness, the defense minister noted.
