Ian Stubbs, a senior military advisor from the UK who is part of the OSCE delegation, has estimated that around 20,000 to 30,000 Russian troops, including Wagner fighters, have been either killed or injured since May last year in the Bakhmut area while battling to gain control of the eastern salt-mining town. Despite these casualties, Russia has only advanced approximately 25 km in total, and as a result, the loss of human life is considerable reports Sky News.

According to Stubbs, for every kilometer gained, over 800 Russian personnel have been killed or wounded, with the majority being Wagner fighters.