The Intelligence from The Economist Count their losses: Russia casualties hit 1m
30 snips
Jun 5, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Rosenthal, the International editor at The Economist, unpacks the staggering toll of one million Russian casualties in the Ukraine conflict. He explores how these losses might alter Vladimir Putin’s military strategies and affect public perception back home. The conversation also delves into the growing challenge of misinformation amid the chaos of war. Additionally, a lighter note emerges with a quirky take on cheese rolling and its potential future as a protected British tradition.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Russia's Heavy Casualty Toll
- Russian casualties in Ukraine are about to surpass one million, a number much higher than initially expected by Putin. - This grim milestone reflects Russia's offensive strategy and heavy losses due to outdated tactics and advanced Ukrainian defenses.
Validating Casualty Numbers
- Various sources including Ukrainian staff, Western intelligence, and independent Russian media estimate Russian casualties similarly. - This triangulation adds credibility to the one million casualty figure despite skepticism.
Why Russia Suffers Higher Losses
- Russia's losses exceed Ukraine's partly because Russia attacks while Ukraine defends entrenched positions. - Ukrainian FPV drones act like WWI machine guns, making Russian attacks costly and deadly.