Posted on 12/01/2022 9:34:55 AM PST by Kazan
Ursula von Der Leyen’s did the unthinkable today — she told the truth. During a speech condemning Russia for committing war crimes, she noted in passing that 100,000 Ukrainian “officers” (sic) have been killed since the start of the SMO.
Ukraine was not happy:
Ukraine has hit back at a claim by the European Commission’s president that 100,000 of Kyiv’s troops have been killed since Russia’s invasion in February.
Ursula von der Leyen used the number in a video address, prompting Kyiv’s armed forces to state that the death toll was “classified information.” Footage of her speech has since been edited to cut the reference.
https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-russia-von-der-leyen-death-toll-1763553
The European Union stupidly tried to walk this back by erasing von der Leyen’s claim from the internet. That “walk back” failed. Which raises the question — who is a better Moon Walker? Von der Leyen or Michael Jackson?
I know. Michael Jackson of course. I do not believe that von der Leyen misspoke nor did she fabricate the number. If it really was an error of fact all she had to do was issue a statement to that effect, e.g., “Mea culpa, I meant to say 10,000 not 100,000”. She did not do that. She pretended she never said what she said.
If the 100,000 dead number is true, then that means Ukraine’s total casualties — i.e., killed and wounded — is approximately 400,000. In other words, Ukraine has suffered almost 40% casualties since the start of the fighting. During the 20th Century, this type of modern warfare normally saw 3 wounded soldiers for every man killed. Using that ratio we get the 400,000 number for total casualties.
When the war kicked off in February, Ukraine’s total manpower for ground forces was 1,125,000:
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Ukraine has 196,600 active military personnel.
This breaks down into 125,600 ground troops, 35,000 airmen and 15,000 naval troops.
It can also count on 900,000 reservists although, as recent images of civilians holding wooden rifles suggest, not all of these forces are necessarily well equipped.
https://ukrainewar.info/russian-ukrainian-war-how-big-is-the-ukrainian-army-size-of-the-armed-forces-compared-to-russia-uk-usa-and-nato/
Ukraine’s state of emergency is still in effect and the reservists have been called to duty. In fact, Ukraine has gone beyond its normal reserve force strength and has been compelled by necessity to dragoon middle aged men into service. These are the “territorial defense” forces.
Is the 100,000 number of fatalities credible? Yes. If you consider that 275 days have come and gone since the start of Russia’s Special Military Operation on 24 February 2022, there must be an average of 364 KIA to reach the 100,000 dead figure. If you have followed the daily Russian MOD briefings, you would realize this is an accurate number. Here is today’s report, which reports approximately 190 KIA:
In Donetsk direction, as a result of offensive actions by Russian troops, near Belogorovka and Pershe Travnya . . . up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, 4 armoured fighting vehicles, 3 self-propelled artillery units and 6 motor vehicles have been eliminated.
In Kupyansk direction . . . Firepower’s operation has resulted in halting and driving the enemy back to initial positions. Up to 50 Ukrainian servicemen, 10 tanks, 1 infantry fighting vehicle, 2 armoured personnel carriers, 1 self-propelled artillery unit and 1 motor vehicle have been eliminated.
In Krasniy Liman direction, three AFU company tactical groups, reinforced with tanks, unsuccessfully tried to attack Russian positions towards Ploshchanka, Chervonopopovka and Zhytlovka (Lugansk People’s Republic). . . As a result of the shelling, the enemy’s losses in this direction amounted to over 40 Ukrainian servicemen, 1 tank, 4 infantry fighting vehicles and 1 munition vehicle.
In South Donetsk direction, three AFU company tactical groups attempted to counterattack Russian positions near Novomikhaylovka, Novodonetskoye and Novosyolka (Donetsk People’s Republic). The counter-attacks have been repelled as a result of gunfire and active actions by Russian units. . . More than 50 Ukrainian servicemen, 2 infantry fighting vehicles, 2 armoured personnel carriers, 1 MT-LB, 1 armoured motor vehicle and 4 motor vehicles have been eliminated.
As I have discussed previously, Russia’s current military leadership is not following the tactics Soviet generals employed in WW II (i.e., mass troop assaults). Russia primarily has relied on massive artillery and rocket/missile strikes before launching a ground offensive. The Russian rate of artillery fire is unlike anything we’ve seen in history. More importantly, the accuracy of the artillery is enhanced by the use of drones and satellites to adjust fires, with updated coordinates relayed in real time to the artillery units.
Another factor contributing to Ukraine’s horrendous casualties is its lack of air power and effective air defense systems to counter Russian batteries. If Ukrainian troops try to attack a Russian fixed position, their movement by foot or vehicle is unprotected and vulnerable to Russian artillery or combat air.
It appears that some Western analysts who previously pooh-poohed the Russian tactics, are finally beginning to realize that Russia is serious about de-militarizing Ukraine via methodical, grinding tactics. There will come a point when Ukraine runs out of men and cannot field a combat effective force. It appears that day is approaching.
No Ukrainian military personnel have died, only babies and women.
Eleventy billion Russians have died.
Putin has died 7 times from 7 different diseases.
Russia is out of missiles for the 16th time.
Nice try. Plainly, 100,000 officers is an absurd number. She obviously said something desperately incorrect. Your notion that the mistake is calling soldiers “officers” is baseless.
You know damn well she meant 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers and that she was quoting numbers given to her. Thus, the panic in trying to cover up what she said.
🤣🤣🤣
Propaganda doesn’t work too well when caught lying a couple thousand times.
Same when one doesn’t control all media.
“She obviously said something desperately incorrect.”
Really?
‘Ukrainian General estimates Kiev’s losses at hundreds of thousands since Feb’
https://tass.com/politics/1501881
“The irretrievable losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of October 20, 2022 amounted to 402,000 people , of which 387,000 were killed...”
https://t.me/nologica/5535
“War and Regrets in Ukraine - at least 400,000 Ukrainian battlefield casualties including 100,000 soldiers killed in action”
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/war-and-regrets-in-ukraine/
‘Putin: losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reach the ratio of one to seven or one to eight’
https://ria.ru/20221027/vsu-1827349540.html?utm_source=yxnews&utm_medium=desktop
“Only 1 out of 13 Ukrainian Servicemen Survives. They Even Do Not See Russians, just Sea of Fire”
https://rumble.com/v1molmc-only-1-out-of-13-ukrainian-servicemen-survives.-wokenato-even-do-not-see-ru.html
“The average lifespan of a Ukrainian mobilized recruit now is approximately 10 days — from the time he is grabbed off the street to the time he falls on the battlefield.
Foreign mercenaries—which by and large have become regular Polish and Romanian (and other NATO countries’) troops masquerading as “volunteers” — loath the idea of being used as cannon fodder and behave as regular colonial expeditionary forces.”
https://t.me/Slavyangrad/17146
100k is her lowballing it.
Leaked Ukrainian documents on Telegram and Twitter a few months back showed the number of Ukrainian soldiers KIA was 2.5-3X higher than Russia KIA.
Absolutely correct
The globalists are thoroughly delighted that this Slavic death and destruction fest has essentially destroyed two nation states. They are now pliable cogs in the new world order. Poland and Hungary are next.
Most likely explanation is that she was told there were 100,000 casualties and like many civilians with no military background thought that “casualties” meant “killed.” If that was the case, then the real number is about 25,000 killed and 75,000 wounded. This misunderstanding of military terms is very common.
“100k is her lowballing it.”
Agreed.
Der Fuhrer wannabe UrsalaIdiot drops a truth bomb of Ukraine having suffered 100k KIA, and even that is them fudging numbers.
Given that Ukraine had leaked memos in August stating they had lost 190k it stands to reason, that after the fall (in which the Ukrainians lost 12k in Kherson alone in late October), the numbers are more likely closer to 220-240k plus.
Send the Marines!
The Ukrainian armed forces haven’t been “reduced” by 50%. Casualties are being replaced. Lots of wars are won by countries who suffer >50% casualty rates, and whose aggregate casualties are multiples of initial strength. Aggregate casualties for many victorious combatants are greater than 100% of peak strength.
The interesting question is how close Ukraine is to being unable in practice to induct, train and equip permanent casualty (death, disability) replacements one for one. My guess is not very close, and that Russia may be closer.
No. 50 active and retired CIA analysts have told CNN the Russians have stolen enough Ukraine Washing-machines and refrigerators for parts to rebuild their missile capability.
Mea culpa.
Time to raise your hand if you realize you have been mind farmed by Ukrainian propaganda into believing Russia isn’t winning this conflict. 😏
The no spin zone has made it to the Ukraine.
Russia is winning, but they have still been revealed as a spent force.
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