Ukraine conflict: Russia suffers similar death toll to nine-year war in first three months of Ukraine invasion - MoD

Russia have suffered a similar number of casualties in the first three months of their invasion of Ukraine as the Soviet Union did in a nine-year war in Afghanistan according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD)

The MoD said in their latest intelligence briefing that a series of factors such as limited air cover and poor tactics have contributed to the high death toll.

The update from the MoD read: “In the first three months of its ‘special military operation’, Russia has likely suffered a similar death toll to that experienced by the Soviet Union during its nine year war in Afghanistan.

"A combination of poor low-level tactics, limited air cover, a lack of flexibility, and a command approach which is prepared to reinforce failure and repeat mistakes has led to this high casualty rate, which continues to rise in the Donbas offensive.

"The Russian public has, in the past, proven sensitive to casualties suffered during wars of choice. As casualties suffered in Ukraine continue to rise they will become more apparent, and public dissatisfaction with the war and a willingness to voice it may grow.

Russian forces are bombarding a key city in eastern Ukraine with artillery and missiles in an attempt to take more of the Donbas region.

Sievierodonetsk is the main city under Ukrainian control in Luhansk province, which together with Donetsk province make up the Donbas.

The Ukrainian military said Russian forces had mounted an unsuccessful attack on Oleksandrivka, a village outside of the city and have been subjected cities to 24-hour shelling.