Russia’s spring offensive in Ukraine has failed to give momentum to Putin’s troops

Russia’s much-vaunted spring offensive in Ukraine has failed to meet its goals, claiming 1,000 casualties a day, according to Western officials.

They said the anticipated thrust was “more of a whimper” and failed to gain momentum despite the expenditure of enormous amounts of manpower and equipment.

Vladimir Putin’s armed forces also suffer from a death-to-wounded ratio of about a third due to poor medical facilities and logistical problems.

In contrast, the Ukrainians have lost between one in ten and one in 20 of their wounded.

Many have since become active again. Overall, Russian casualties since the invasion began are estimated at around 200,000 – with up to 60,000 soldiers killed.

Vladimir Putin’s forces suffer from a death-to-wounded ratio of about one-third due to poor medical facilities and logistical problems

The Ukrainians have lost between one in 10 and one in 20 of their wounded and, unlike Russian forces, have suffered fewer casualties

Ukraine has suffered far fewer casualties — around 100,000 — due to its superior field hospitals and defense infrastructure.

Officials also announced yesterday that an estimated 97 percent of Russia’s armed forces have been mobilized since the conflict began.

Putin may need to deploy more reservists and retired troops. It was assumed that his state of the nation would herald further mobilization, but it did not.

A Western official said: “The spring offensive has begun, but it’s been more of a whimper than we expected.

“The Russian offensive has cost enormously and they are struggling to break through.

“We expect Ukraine, supported by the West, to gain momentum in the spring and summer.”

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk