The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has provided an explanation regarding the huge number of Russian troops killed in Ukraine, claiming Moscow is “almost certainly” struggling with combat medical provision on the front line.
It further stated that Russia has been suffering an average of 400 casualties a day for 17 months.
“The influx of military casualties has likely undermined the normal provision of some Russian civilian medical services, especially in border regions near Ukraine,” the intelligence report explained.
It added that there is a high probability that many dedicated military hospitals in Russia are being reserved for casualties that hold higher ranks in the armed forces.
No Proper First Aid
According to a Russian combat medicine training division official, up to 50 percent of Russian combat fatalities could have been prevented with proper first aid.
Due to intensified fighting, the invading forces are reportedly struggling to evacuate casualties more quickly.
The country’s inappropriate use of combat tourniquets has also been tagged as one of the leading causes of preventable fatalities and amputations among Russian soldiers.
To address the lack of combat medical provision, the Russian government is ramping up female recruitment to fill the roles of doctors and nurses.