U.S. Intel Leaks Show Russia’s Special Forces Decimated in Ukraine: Report
Satellite images allegedly illustrate the scale of the losses.

Ilya Naymushin/Reuters
Russia’s elite Spetsnaz soldiers have been obliterated during the war in Ukraine, according to a report based on leaked American intelligence files. The Washington Post says a side-by-side comparison of satellite images taken of a military base in Russia used by the 22nd Separate Spetsnaz Brigade indicated to U.S. analysts that “all but one of five Russian Separate Spetsnaz Brigades that returned from combat operations in Ukraine in late summer 2022 suffered significant losses.” Intelligence officials believe the losses could be down to Moscow commanders’ excessive dependence on Spetsnaz forces in front-line fighting and that it could take up to a decade to replenish the units given how long it takes to train them. On Thursday, 21-year-old Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira was arrested in connection with the recent slew of leaks of classified American intelligence.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.