More than 100,000 Russian troops killed, wounded in Ukraine: Top US general
Published: 04:11 PM,Nov 10,2022 | EDITED : 08:11 PM,Nov 10,2022
A man walks past the ruins of a building destroyed in Mariupol, Russian-controlled Ukraine. -- Reuters
WASHINGTON: More than 100,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in Ukraine, with Kyiv's forces likely suffering similar casualties, top US General Mark Milley said.
"You're looking at well over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded," Milley said in remarks at the Economic Club of New York. "Same thing probably on the Ukrainian side."
The figures provided by Milley -- which could not be independently confirmed -- are the most precise to date from the United States government more than eight months into the war.
Milley also said there is a chance for talks on ending the war, and that military victory may not be possible for either Russia or Ukraine.
"There has to be a mutual recognition that military victory is probably in the true sense of the word maybe not achievable through military means, and therefore you need to turn to other means," Milley said.
"There's... an opportunity here, a window of opportunity for negotiation."
Milley's comments came after Russia ordered its troops to withdraw from the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine -- a major blow to Moscow's military campaign.
But officials in Kyiv reacted with caution, saying the Russian army was unlikely to leave the strategic city without a fight, while US President Joe Biden suggested the retreat was evidence Moscow has "real problems" on the battlefield.
PUTIN NOT ATTENDING
G20 SUMMIT IN BALI
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a gathering of leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) nations in person next week but may join virtually, officials from Russia and the host country Indonesia said on Thursday.
Indonesia has resisted pressure from Western countries to withdraw its invitation to Putin and expel Russia from the group over the war in Ukraine, saying it does not have the authority to do so without consensus among members.
Putin might take part by video conference though "the format of (his) participation is being worked out," Russia's state news agency RIA reported, citing a diplomat in the Russian embassy in Indonesia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Putin on the ground at the meeting on the island of Bali, the officials said.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo had been trying to mediate between global powers ahead of what will be the first meeting of leaders from the group since Russia attacked Ukraine in what Putin calls a "special military operation".
"(The president) has tried to ensure that everyone cools down and that seems to be happening now," Luhut Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, told reporters in Bali.
The president told the Financial Times this week that Russia was welcome at the summit, which he feared would be overshadowed by a "very worrying" rise in international tensions.
"The G20 is not meant to be a political forum. It's meant to be about economics and development," he was quoted as saying. Indonesia has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has said he will not take part if Putin does and was expected to join virtually.
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to join other world leaders at the summit which starts on November 15. -- Reuters
"You're looking at well over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded," Milley said in remarks at the Economic Club of New York. "Same thing probably on the Ukrainian side."
The figures provided by Milley -- which could not be independently confirmed -- are the most precise to date from the United States government more than eight months into the war.
Milley also said there is a chance for talks on ending the war, and that military victory may not be possible for either Russia or Ukraine.
"There has to be a mutual recognition that military victory is probably in the true sense of the word maybe not achievable through military means, and therefore you need to turn to other means," Milley said.
"There's... an opportunity here, a window of opportunity for negotiation."
Milley's comments came after Russia ordered its troops to withdraw from the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine -- a major blow to Moscow's military campaign.
But officials in Kyiv reacted with caution, saying the Russian army was unlikely to leave the strategic city without a fight, while US President Joe Biden suggested the retreat was evidence Moscow has "real problems" on the battlefield.
PUTIN NOT ATTENDING
G20 SUMMIT IN BALI
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend a gathering of leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) nations in person next week but may join virtually, officials from Russia and the host country Indonesia said on Thursday.
Indonesia has resisted pressure from Western countries to withdraw its invitation to Putin and expel Russia from the group over the war in Ukraine, saying it does not have the authority to do so without consensus among members.
Putin might take part by video conference though "the format of (his) participation is being worked out," Russia's state news agency RIA reported, citing a diplomat in the Russian embassy in Indonesia.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent Putin on the ground at the meeting on the island of Bali, the officials said.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo had been trying to mediate between global powers ahead of what will be the first meeting of leaders from the group since Russia attacked Ukraine in what Putin calls a "special military operation".
"(The president) has tried to ensure that everyone cools down and that seems to be happening now," Luhut Pandjaitan, the Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Affairs, told reporters in Bali.
The president told the Financial Times this week that Russia was welcome at the summit, which he feared would be overshadowed by a "very worrying" rise in international tensions.
"The G20 is not meant to be a political forum. It's meant to be about economics and development," he was quoted as saying. Indonesia has also invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who has said he will not take part if Putin does and was expected to join virtually.
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to join other world leaders at the summit which starts on November 15. -- Reuters