CIA Chief: Russian Recruits on Ukrainian Front Survive an Average of 20-30 Minutes

A Russian recruit sent to the front line of fighting in Ukraine has an average life expectancy of only 20 to 30 minutes, according to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.

Speaking at a defence summit in Pennsylvania, Ratcliffe said the assessment is based on US intelligence data and is consistent with information reported by open sources.

He attributed the situation mainly to the increased use of Ukrainian drones equipped with artificial intelligence. Ratcliffe described these devices as “killing machines” that are inexpensive and highly effective in battle.

“The average life expectancy of a Russian recruit now arriving on the battlefield in Ukraine is estimated to be between 20 and 30 minutes,” Ratcliffe said.

Ukrainian authorities, meanwhile, estimate that Russia has lost around 1.4 million soldiers since the start of the full-scale invasion. Kyiv claims that more than 1,000 Russian soldiers are killed or wounded every day, while Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence said in May that Moscow’s forces were losing around 200 soldiers for every kilometre of territory gained.