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Leaked documents indicate Russia's Spetznaz suffered massive losses. [1]

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Date: 2023-04-14

Washington Post is reporting that, based on information in the now-notorious Discord Documents Leak, Russia’s Spetsnaz special forces unit have suffered massive losses in the invasion of Ukraine. The leaked information indicates, for example, that one brigade has only 125 active personnel remaining out of an original strength of 900. Assessments indicate that at least 2 Spetsnaz brigades have suffered 90 to 95 percent casualty rates.

Spetsnaz units suffered heavy losses in the initial invasion. Some Spetsnaz members entered Kyiv in civilian dress in the initial invasion as part of failed attempts to capture/assassinate Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Others, however, were ordered into direct combat and suffered heavy losses in the battles in places like Kyiv and Kharkiv. When traditional Russian units bogged down or failed in their objectives, elite forces like the Spetsnaz units were sent into combat to try to bolster Russian efforts. The result was heavy casualties among these units, which don’t traditionally operate as front-line troops.

Attrition of the units appears to be ongoing. In February, a Spetsnaz Brigade Commander, Colonel Sergey Polyakov was killed in the Vulhedar area.

Because these troops are highly specialized elite soldiers, replacing them will not be quick or easy, and the loss of training and experience, not to mention simply lacking numbers now, will severely limit the usefulness of the remaining members.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/4/14/2163917/-Leaked-documents-indicate-Russia-s-Spetznaz-suffered-massive-losses

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