Vladimir Putin's Ukraine war costs Russia close to one million dead or injured

Russia has lost close to a million troops to death or injury in the war in , latest intelligence estimates declare. The number of troops put out of battle in ferocious clashes stands at 986,080 - with a staggering 1,140 killed or injured and taken from the in just 24 hours.

In addition, intelligence analysis suggests, Moscow has lost 10,865 tanks and almost 40,000 drones to Ukraine’s defence of the invasion. has destroyed 1,172 anti-aircraft systems, 372 warplanes, 336 helicopters, 28 warships and boats and even a submarine. The staggering claims of Russian losses have led to Moscow having to recruit as many as 14,000 North Korean soldiers who have also suffered losses.

It is believed at least 1,000 of are believed to have died in battles in ’s effort to drive Ukraine invading troops out of Kursk. It comes as Russia is believed to be building up a huge force of 50,000 assault troops in readiness for a new Summer offensive near Sumy, in Ukraine’s north east.

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Kyiv has confirmed Moscow forces have managed to capture four villages close to the region's border with Russia. It is believed the has ordered a buffer of several miles in the region.

But the regional governor stated that the residents of these settlements had been evacuated long ago, and "there is no threat to civilians." The attack on Sumy was originally planned for last year but was interrupted by Ukraine’s mini-invasion into Russia’s Kursk region.

Ukraine is also believed to have suffered significant losses although there are no official figures available. Recently, the Ukrainian military also warned that Russia may be preparing new attacks on as Moscow gathered its troops close to the border with the region.

Fighting has intensified along all of Ukraine’s frontlines, stretching for over 800 miles and across multiple regions of the country. This week aid Russia mobilises around 40,000 to 45,000 men for its military every month, while Ukraine mobilises about 25,000 to 27,000.

He said it is yet another indicator of Moscow intensifying its war efforts despite numerous calls from Brussels and Washington to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.

Zelensky added: "When the US sends signals that it wants to do something positive with Russia, then Russia ramps up its mobilisation.” It comes as Ukraine’s weapons developers are pushing forward with making futuristic defences using artificial intelligence.

One breakthrough has been the ‘robot tank’ officially dubbed the Sky Sentinel which is a high-power .50-caliber M2 Browning machine gun which shoots down missiles and drones.

Fitted onto a turret the device is placed near the frontline and independently of humans once it is programmed, it detects, tracks, calculates the trajectory of incoming weapons and fires.

It can engage moderately fast, low-flying targets moving at speeds of up to 500mph – enough to intercept Russia’s ‘Kamikaze’ Shahed drones, which operate at less than 120mph.