In nearly a year of clashes, the war in Ukraine has left nearly 180,000 dead or wounded in the ranks of the Russian army and 100,000 on the Ukrainian side, not counting the 30,000 civilians killed, according to estimates by Ukraine’s chief Norwegian army on Sunday .
“Russian losses are gradually approaching around 180,000 dead or wounded soldiers,” Norway’s chief of staff Eirik Kristoffersen said in an interview with TV2, without specifying the origin of these figures.
Norway, a country bordering Russia, has been a member of NATO since its inception in 1949.
“Ukrainian casualties probably amount to over 100,000 dead or wounded. In addition, Ukraine has about 30,000 civilians who died in this terrible war,” added the Norwegian general.
Russia and Ukraine have not provided reliable figures on their losses for months.
In November, US Army Chief Mark Milley said Russia’s military had suffered casualties of more than 100,000 killed or wounded, with the Ukrainian side “likely” suffering a similar number.
These numbers cannot be independently verified.
“Russia can continue (this war) for a long time, despite its high losses,” the Norwegian chief of staff confirmed on Sunday, citing Moscow’s mobilization and armaments production capacities.
“The biggest concern is whether Ukraine will be able to keep the Russian air force out of the war,” although so far it has largely been kept out “thanks to Ukraine’s anti-aircraft defences.”
The majority of Russian attacks in recent months have been carried out by long-range missiles.
The Norwegian general also called for the speedy delivery of main battle tanks to Ukraine, an act that Germany in particular has so far held back.
“If they have to go on the offensive in winter, they need it quickly,” Eirik Kristoffersen told TV2.
Despite urgent appeals from Ukraine and several European countries, Berlin on Friday refused to deliver its Leopard tanks to Kyiv.
These heavy tanks are present in the ranks of several other European nations, including Norway, but their delivery to Ukraine is theoretically subject to the German green light.