US Joint Chiefs Chairman: "Russia Suffers 100,000 Casualties in Ukraine War... Peace Talks Needed This Winter"

More Troop Casualties in Stalemate
"Lessons Must Be Learned from World War I"...Call for Ceasefire

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Mark Milley, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, urged that the combatants of Russia and Ukraine, whose casualties have exceeded 100,000 since the outbreak of the war, should enter into ceasefire negotiations during the winter lull in fighting.

According to CNN on the 10th (local time), Milley, attending an event at the New York Economic Club, stated, "Since Russia invaded Ukraine, more than 100,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded," adding, "The Ukrainian forces have suffered a similar level of casualties." He further explained, "Civilian deaths in Ukraine have also surpassed 40,000 since the beginning of the conflict."

Previously, U.S. and Western intelligence agencies estimated and announced Russian military casualties at 70,000 to 80,000, making Milley’s statement the largest estimate of Russian military losses to date. The specific figure for civilian deaths was also disclosed for the first time. The Ukrainian government has not previously provided detailed figures on civilian casualties since the outbreak of the war.

As the highest-ranking U.S. military officer, Milley holds a key advisory position to President Joe Biden on military matters. The British BBC pointed out, "Considering Milley’s position, his remarks on Russian military casualties carry very high credibility." However, Milley did not clearly specify the source of these figures.

The casualty figures previously announced by the parties involved, Russia and Ukraine, are significantly lower. On the 7th, the Ukrainian General Staff reported 68,900 Russian military deaths, while the Russian Ministry of Defense stated on September 9 that their own military deaths were 5,937 and has not disclosed specific figures since. The number of Ukrainian military deaths announced in September was around 9,000, showing a considerable difference from Milley’s estimates.

Milley urged that once the fighting between the two armies enters a lull during the winter, a ceasefire should be promptly established to prevent further casualties. He emphasized, "We must learn from the lessons of World War I, where refusal to negotiate led to increased civilian suffering and millions of deaths," adding, "Victory in war is not achieved solely through military means. When there is an opportunity to negotiate, that moment must be seized."