In nearly a year of hostilities in Ukraine, its leader estimated that about 180,000 were killed or wounded in the Russian military and 100,000 on the Ukrainian side, not counting 30,000 civilians killed, according to estimates released on Sunday by its leader. .

“Russian losses are starting to approach 180,000 soldiers killed or wounded,” Norwegian Chief of Staff Erik Kristoffersen said in an interview with TV2, without specifying the source of the numbers.

Norway, a country bordering Russia, has been a member of NATO since its inception in 1949.

“Ukraine’s losses are likely to exceed 100 thousand people killed or wounded. In addition, almost 30 thousand civilians died in Ukraine in this terrible war,” the Norwegian general added.

Russia and Ukraine have not provided reliable information on losses for several months.

In November, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Mark Miley said the Russian military had lost more than 100,000 killed or wounded, “probably” the same number on the Ukrainian side.

These figures cannot be independently verified.

Despite heavy losses, “Russia is capable of continuing (the war) for quite some time yet,” Norway’s chief of staff confirmed on Sunday, citing Moscow’s mobilization and weapons capabilities.

“The biggest concern is whether Ukraine will be able to keep Russian aviation out of the war, as it has so far been deterred in large part by the Ukrainian air defense system.”

Much of the Russian bombing in recent months has been carried out with long-range missiles.

The Norwegian general also called for the rapid delivery of tanks to Ukraine, an issue that has so far not progressed largely due to the German position.

Kyiv urgently needs tanks

“If they have to go on the attack in the winter, they need to do it quickly,” Erik Christoffersen told TV2.

Despite persistent calls from Ukraine and a number of European countries, Berlin on Friday refused to supply German-made Leopard tanks to Kyiv.

Many other European countries, such as Norway, are equipped with these heavy tanks, but their delivery to Ukraine is theoretically subject to German approval.

Source: RES-IPE