Half a million Russian soldiers have been killed since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to British military intelligence.

Axar.az reports, citing Sky News, that Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, head of the UK armed forces, said Russia's total casualties, including those wounded, are estimated at 1.5 million troops.

He said the vast majority of the losses had been incurred since January 2023, while Russia had gained only about 2% of Ukrainian territory.

“I think these numbers illustrate clearly the senseless and futile waste of human life for such little progress, and against such an illegitimate aim of President Putin,” Knighton said.

Referring to the estimated 500,000 Russian personnel killed in the war, he added: “So that means that's half a million photographs hanging on the walls in devastated, darkened homes about Russia. That means half a million families will never see their father, their son, their brother, or husband again.”