Russia has almost completely rebuilt its military after suffering enormous losses during its invasion of Ukraine, according to a U.S. State Department official named Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell at an event hosted by the Center for a New American Security.
The Pentagon and America’s allies in Europe have contradictory assessments to Campbell’s claims, with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stating that Russia suffered more than 315,000 casualties during the war. The drop in American aid has led to ammunition shortages on Ukraine’s front lines, allowing Russian forces to advance at great cost.
Lithuania’s national security committee chair estimated earlier this year that it would take Russia between five and seven years to fully reconstitute its military forces. Despite this, Russia has increased defense spending up to 6% of national GDP in its 2024 budget as part of a larger effort to transition its economy, particularly the defense industry, onto a wartime footing.
China, along with support from North Korea and Iran, has helped Russia endure economic and military setbacks in the last two years, contributing to the success of their military rebuilding efforts. President Joe Biden addressed concerns regarding China’s support for Russia in a call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
The added pressure on Ukraine due to Russia’s military resurgence has led to the Ukrainian government lowering the draft age from 27 to 25 amid losses on the front lines. Ukraine is still awaiting a significant infusion of American aid held up in Congress. Without this aid, Ukraine’s armed forces will continue to face challenges in rationing ammunition and air defense, but Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff CQ Brown has stated that the front lines are not verging on collapse.
