MOD intelligence estimates 465,000 Russian troops killed or wounded in Ukraine

The total number of Russian losses since the start of the conflict in Ukraine now stands at over 465,000 personnel, according to Ministry of Defence (MOD) intelligence.

The MOD's latest defence intelligence update said Russia averaged 899 casualties (killed and wounded) in Ukraine each day throughout April, but this is likely to increase over the next two months.

It says that Russia's daily losses remained in the pattern of 2024, although their renewed offensive in Eastern Ukraine will likely cause an increase.

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Russian forces continue to make small territorial gains along the eastern front as Kyiv waits for new supplies of US military aid. 

"It is likely that despite the extreme cost in life, Russia has fully adapted its military to attritional warfare which relies on mass over quality", the update said.

"This reliance on mass will almost certainly continue for the duration of the Ukraine war and have long-lasting effects on Russia's future army."