More than 500,000 Russian troops killed in Ukraine, UK defense chief says, tell me about this news in (https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/09/11/half-million-russian-troops-killed/)

On September 11, 2026, the Chief of the UK Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, stated that more than 500,000 Russian soldiers have been killed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. National HeraldKey details reported from the announcement:

• Casualty figures: The estimated half-million deaths are part of an overall casualty toll of approximately 1.5 million Russian personnel (including killed and wounded). These British intelligence estimates broadly align with data published by the Ukrainian military. National Herald+ 1
• Territorial context: British intelligence highlighted that the vast majority of these losses occurred since early 2023, a timeframe in which Russian forces captured only about 2% of Ukrainian territory, underscoring heavy personnel losses for minimal frontline advance. UNITED24 Media
• Equipment and materiel losses: Knighton reported that Russia has suffered extensive military hardware losses, including more than 10,000 armored and protected vehicles, roughly 3,000 air defense and artillery systems, and over 370 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Military.com
• Battlefield assessment: Western defense officials and analysts noted that Russia’s rate of advance has slowed noticeably, even as fighting and drone strikes on infrastructure have continued to escalate across the region. Military.com