Russia-Ukraine war: conflict taking ‘heavy toll’ on Russian units, says UK; US defends passing intelligence to Ukraine – live

The UK Ministry of Defence says Russia’s most advanced units have suffered heavy losses; Pentagon defends intelligence sharing with Ukraine as ‘lawful’

LIVE Updated 2m ago

A Russian soldier near the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. Photograph: Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

Léonie Chao-Fong (now); Miranda Bryant and Samantha Lock (earlier)

Sat 7 May 2022 13.17 BST

War in Ukraine taking ‘heavy toll’ on Russian units, UK MoD says

The conflict in Ukraine is taking a “heavy toll” on some of Russia’s most capable units, the UK’s ministry of defence has said in its latest intelligence report.

At least one T-90M, Russia’s most advanced tank, has been destroyed in fighting, the ministry added. The T-90M was introduced in 2016 and includes improved armour, an upgraded gun and enhanced satellite navigation systems.

Approximately 100 T-90M tanks are currently in service amongst Russia’s best equipped units, including those fighting in Ukraine, British intelligence claimed adding that the system’s upgraded armour, designed to counter anti-tank weaponry, remains vulnerable if unsupported by other force elements.

The report continued:

The conflict in Ukraine is taking a heavy toll on some of Russia’s most capable units and most advanced capabilities.

It will take considerable time and expense for Russia to reconstitute its armed forces following this conflict.

It will be particularly challenging to replace modernised and advanced equipment due to sanctions restricting Russia’s access to critical microelectronic components.