Representational.
London: The head of Britain’s armed forces claimed that October this year became Russia’s worst month in terms of casualties since it initiated its invasion of Ukraine around three years ago. According to UK Chief of the Defence Staff Tony Radakin, an average of 1,500 Russian soldiers were killed or injured per day that month, Agence France-Presse reported.
On Sunday, Radaykin told BBC that Russia is about to suffer 7,00,000 people killed or wounded, and it will have to bear this enormous pain and suffering only because of its President Vladimir Putin’s ambition.
Though Russia never revealed the number of its own casualties, Radakin claimed that October saw the heaviest death toll of their soldiers.
Radakin further said that Russia, though making territorial gains, is incurring heavy losses for tiny increments of land. Moscow was spending more than 40 per cent of public expenditure on defence and security, putting severe strain on the state.
The UK has been steadfast in backing Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. It provided Kyiv with billions of pounds worth of military aid, such as weapons and troop training.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated Britain’s “ironclad” support for Ukraine when Donald Trump’s impending assent back to the US President’s chair raised concerns about the West’s future commitment to Kyiv’s war effort.
Radakin also said that the UK is committed to back Ukraine as long as it takes. He added that that is the message Russian President Putin has to absorb and the reassurance for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.