We estimate that approximately 302,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded, and tens of thousands more have already deserted since the start of the conflict. The number of personnel killed serving in Russian private military companies (PMCs) is not clear. Russia have utilised several PMCs and volunteer units in Ukraine to augment Russian military forces, but the deaths of personnel from these organisations are not reflected in Russian official military death tolls.

We also estimate that over 7,117 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,475 main battle tanks, 93 fixed wing aircraft, 132 helicopters, 320 unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 naval vessels of all classes, and over 1,300 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed since the start of the conflict.

We estimate that approximately 302,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded, and tens of thousands more have already deserted since the start of the conflict. The number of personnel killed serving in Russian private military companies (PMCs) is not clear. Russia have utilised several PMCs and volunteer units in Ukraine to augment Russian military forces, but the deaths of personnel from these organisations are not reflected in Russian official military death tolls.

We also estimate that over 7,117 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,475 main battle tanks, 93 fixed wing aircraft, 132 helicopters, 320 unmanned aerial vehicles, 16 naval vessels of all classes, and over 1,300 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed since the start of the conflict.

We estimate that approximately 220,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict. We estimate over 6,200 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,050 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 95 helicopters, 250 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 1,000 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed since the start of the conflict. The specific number of Wagner mercenaries killed and wounded since late February 2023 is not clear, however the group highly likely continued to sustain heavy casualties before beginning to withdraw its forces from the Popasna-Bakhmut area in late May 2023.

We estimate that approximately 220,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict. We estimate over 6,200 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,050 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 95 helicopters, 250 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 1,000 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed since the start of the conflict. The specific number of Wagner mercenaries killed and wounded since late February 2023 is not clear, however the group highly likely continued to sustain heavy casualties before beginning to withdraw its forces from the Popasna-Bakhmut area in late May 2023.

We estimate that approximately 200,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in the conflict, including up to 60,000 killed in action. Since summer 2022, Wagner and regular Russian forces have likely suffered over 30,000 personnel killed and wounded in the Popasna-Bakhmut area alone. We estimate that over 5,500 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,000 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 84 helicopters, 230 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 810 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed. Morale amongst Russia's armed forces has been low since the start of the conflict. Heavy losses, poor leadership, and inadequate equipment have all contributed to this. Moreover, a large proportion of Russia's land forces are now made up of mobilised personnel who likely have low motivation to fight in the conflict.

We estimate that approximately 200,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in the conflict, including up to 60,000 killed in action. Since summer 2022, Wagner and regular Russian forces have likely suffered over 30,000 personnel killed and wounded in the Popasna-Bakhmut area alone. We estimate that over 5,500 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,000 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 84 helicopters, 230 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 810 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed. Morale amongst Russia's armed forces has been low since the start of the conflict. Heavy losses, poor leadership, and inadequate equipment have all contributed to this. Moreover, a large proportion of Russia's land forces are now made up of mobilised personnel who likely have low motivation to fight in the conflict.

We estimate that approximately 200,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in the conflict, including up to 60,000 killed in action. Since summer 2022, Wagner and regular Russian forces have likely suffered over 30,000 personnel killed and wounded in the Popasna-Bakhmut area alone. We estimate that over 5,500 Russian armoured vehicles, including nearly 2,000 main battle tanks, 80 fixed wing aircraft, 84 helicopters, 230 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 810 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed. Morale amongst Russia's armed forces has been low since the start of the conflict. Heavy losses, poor leadership, and inadequate equipment have all contributed to this. Moreover, a large proportion of Russia's land forces are now made up of mobilised personnel who likely have low motivation to fight in the conflict.

The number of awards made under either the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) or the War Pension Scheme (WPS) in relation to ‘other injuries related to the ear, nose and throat (ENT)’ is not held due to the broad nature of this area and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Under the War Pension Scheme (WPS) and the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS), service personnel who medically discharge and meet certain criteria are automatically considered for compensation. Table 1 shows the number of UK Regular Armed Forces medical discharges with hearing loss listed as the principal ICD-10 cause code on the FMed 23 Medical Board Report.

Please note that these figures are the minimum number of Veterans eligible, as those claiming for hearing loss may have been medically discharged for another reason. For both AFCS and WPS there are circumstances where hearing loss may be considered as one of a number of contributory causes resulting in medical discharge.

Table 1: UK Regular Armed Forces medical discharges with hearing loss listed as the principal ICD-10 cause code, by financial year, numbers

1 April 2010 to 31 March 2022,

Sources: Joint Personnel administration System (JPA), FMed 23, Defence Medical Information Capability Programme (DMICP)

1. Includes Royal Navy and Royal Marines

2. In line with the JSP 200 directive on statistical disclosure control, numbers fewer than 5 have been suppressed ([c]).

Ukraine has reported that over 100,000 Russian personnel have been killed. They also estimate over 300,000 Russian personnel have been wounded, and thousands more personnel have deserted. The destruction levels of Russia's military equipment continue to be high. We estimate that over 4,500 armoured vehicles, including main battle tanks, 70 fixed wing aircraft, 75 helicopters, 150 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 630 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed.

The destruction levels of Russia's military equipment remain high. We estimate that over 4,500 armoured vehicles, including main battle tanks, 63 fixed wing aircraft, 70 helicopters, 150 unmanned aerial vehicles, 12 naval vessels of all classes, and over 600 artillery systems of all types have been destroyed. We estimate over 25,000 of its military personnel have been killed, and many tens of thousands wounded. Thousands more personnel have probably deserted.

In addition to rising goods and energy prices, inflation and cost of living pressures after the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine, disabled people often have additional costs arising from extra heating, water, personal care and special equipment. That is why the Government is providing specific support for disabled people this autumn through the Disability Cost of Living payment.

Veterans are civilians and are entitled to the same cost of living support offered by the National, Local, and Devolved Governments wherever they reside, in common with the general population. This includes the Energy Price Guarantee, Cost of Living payments, and Council Tax rebate as applicable to their location and personal circumstances. In addition, officials at Veterans UK have processed Disability Cost of Living payment for eligible veterans whose only government-paid income is from a War Disablement Pension. Veterans may also receive financial support targeted at them as a distinct group from their Regimental Associations or Service Benevolent Funds, and additional support is also available from the wider Armed Forces charitable sector.

Through its Veterans’ Welfare Service, Veterans UK provides one-to-one welfare support and advice to veterans or anyone supporting a veteran, their families and dependants. Any veteran struggling with their finances should contact Veterans UK in the first instance, who can then advise on appropriate avenues of support: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk

The Ministry of Defence is committed to a smooth and successful transition from military to civilian life for all personnel, and there is a wide range of support available. Support may include help with registering with a doctor or a dentist, housing, budgeting and children's education. Employment support and job finding services are provided to all Regular Armed Forces Service leavers through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). For those medically discharged, it includes CV development, interview preparation and vocational training courses to build on military qualifications or to retrain for a new career. Grants and travel costs are available to undertake resettlement activities. 83% of Service leavers who used the CTP in 2020-21 were employed within six months of leaving their service, higher than the UK employment rate of 75%.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was introduced for personnel whose injury, ill health or death was caused by Service on or after on 6 April 2005. Awards under the AFCS could provide a tax free lump sum payment for pain and suffering, or a Guaranteed Income Payment which is a tax free, index linked monthly payment.

The Veterans Welfare Service provides free and confidential advice on a wide range of issues, working closely with local authorities, voluntary organisations and all areas of the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition, veterans can receive support from their Regimental and Corps Associations, ABF The Soldiers' Charity and charities that serve both the serving and the ex-Service community.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to a smooth and successful transition from military to civilian life for all personnel, and there is a wide range of support available. Support may include help with registering with a doctor or a dentist, housing, budgeting and children's education. Employment support and job finding services are provided to all Regular Armed Forces Service leavers through the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). For those medically discharged, it includes CV development, interview preparation and vocational training courses to build on military qualifications or to retrain for a new career. Grants and travel costs are available to undertake resettlement activities. 83% of Service leavers who used the CTP in 2020-21 were employed within six months of leaving their service, higher than the UK employment rate of 75%.

The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was introduced for personnel whose injury, ill health or death was caused by Service on or after on 6 April 2005. Awards under the AFCS could provide a tax free lump sum payment for pain and suffering, or a Guaranteed Income Payment which is a tax free, index linked monthly payment.

The Veterans Welfare Service provides free and confidential advice on a wide range of issues, working closely with local authorities, voluntary organisations and all areas of the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition, veterans can receive support from their Regimental and Corps Associations, ABF The Soldiers' Charity and charities that serve both the serving and the ex-Service community.

It is mandatory for all Armed Forces personnel to have a Structured Mental Health Assessment at their discharge medical examination. This will highlight any unknown mental health needs and enable signposting and referral where necessary. This may be to NHS services such as OP COURAGE which provides a complete mental healthcare pathway for service leavers in England with similar services in other parts of the UK or to a MOD Department of Community Mental Health, where an individual can access mental healthcare for six months following their discharge.

More broadly, all Armed Forces personnel who are unable to undertake normal duties, (including those wounded, injured or sick) will enter the Defence Recovery Capability. Each of the Armed Forces has a Recovery Pathway that optimises an individual's recovery or transition to civilian life. This is underpinned by an Individual Recovery Plan. Factors within the Plan are assessed using the HARDFACTS criteria: Health, Accommodation, Relocation, Drugs/Alcohol/Stress, Finance, Attitude, Children and Family, Training, Resettlement, Employment and Support Agencies. Consequently, any Service person in a Recovery Pathway will receive an ongoing holistic assessment by their Personal Recovery Officer, regardless of whether the individual is medically discharged or leaves Service by another mechanism.

The Veterans Welfare Service and Defence Transition Service are both components of Veterans UK. These services deliver additional support to Service leavers with enduring welfare needs and those vulnerable personnel on a casework model following discharge.

Russia and Ukraine have been extremely cautious in revealing any casualty figures since Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to demonstrate resilience against Russian aggression despite personnel losses and injuries. In August, the Ukrainian military authorities reported that nearly 9,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been killed in the war with Russia.

Ukraine's Armed Forces has inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces. Russian casualties continue to climb, with a rough estimate of 25,000 Russian dead, tens of thousands have been injured and tens of thousands more have already deserted. Poor logistics means that its troops are often without food and supplies, and morale continues to be generally awful.

Russia's war machine is severely depleted, with more than 4000 armoured and protected vehicles destroyed, more than 500 artillery pieces decimated, including rocket systems and other capabilities, and over 50 fixed-wing aircraft, as well as numerous helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles rendered inoperable. Ukraine's military have also captured many hundreds of Russian vehicles to use against the flagging Russian military.

I have committed to keep the House informed regarding Ajax programme, most recently through my Written Ministerial Statement of 19 May 2022 (HCWS42).

The Safety Panel that approved the user validation trials on 12 May at Bovington put in place, appropriately, a very cautious safety protocol, including pre and post-trial checks on the hearing of Service personnel, a level of monitoring more rigorous than that used for the trials of any other armoured vehicle. These checks included all individuals exposed to Ajax, and, alongside them, some who were not. We detected as a result of these protocols transient subtle anomalies in some individuals in both the exposed and non-exposed groups. I can confirm the hearing of all individuals concerned has returned to their pre-existing recorded levels, however I am withholding more detail to protect the medical confidence of the small number of personnel involved. The trials were paused on 13 May.

The occurrence of the transient anomalies detected is being followed up by the Army, supported by the Surgeon General, working with external experts to understand their significance.

14 Service personnel were recorded as crew for the independent Ajax trials conducted in June 2021 by Millbrook. Between July 2021 and 12 May 2022, a Safety Notice meant that Service personnel were not used as crew for any trials, including those conducted by Millbrook.

The trials conducted on 12 May 2022 were conducted at the Armoured Trials and Development Unit Bovington by Service personnel with active support and involvement by Millbrook.