Nearly 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022, according to Anne Keast-Butler, the director of the UK's GCHQ intelligence agency. This is the highest on-the-record estimate from any government since the war started.
"As we remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine, Putin is going backwards on the battlefield," Keast-Butler said Thursday. The figure surpasses previous UK defense estimates, and analysts warn the actual number of Russian dead "might well be higher" due to neglect of frontline wounded.
The dire announcement comes as Russia warns foreign nationals and diplomats to evacuate Kyiv ahead of expanded strikes on military industrial targets. The U.S. embassy in Kyiv remains open, quickly correcting a false statement by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that it had closed.
Ukraine continues to strike back. Overnight Thursday, Kyiv's forces hit a massive Russian oil refinery at Tuapse. Meanwhile, Russia launched a Kinzhal ballistic missile and nearly 150 drones across Ukraine. At least two people were killed in the past day.
The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War says the "character of the war is shifting in favor of Ukrainian forces, at least for now."