Thu 21 July 2022:
In its conflict with Ukraine, Russia has reportedly already lost 15,000 troops, according to CIA Director William Burns.
Burns stated during a speech at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado that he believed Russian President Vladimir Putin was mistaken in thinking he could split the NATO alliance prior to the start of the war.
“I think the latest estimates from the U.S. intelligence community would be something in the vicinity of 15,000 killed and maybe three times that wounded. So a quite significant set of losses,” he said.
He also noted that Ukrainians have suffered as well in the ongoing war.
Burns also said the Russian leader faces an alliance that is just about to add Finland and Sweden.
Putin thought he could establish his dominance over Ukraine very quickly, he added.
Over 5,100 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24 this year, according to UN figures.
At least 16 million people in Ukraine have also been forced to flee their homes, including around 9.2 million that have fled to other countries.
NEWS AGENCIES
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