Former U.S. Secretary Of Defense: Ukraine Has Virtually Destroyed The Russian Army's Special Operations Forces

• 24.07.2026, 12:21

The Russian army suffered its heaviest losses in two areas.

As of now, Ukraine’s defense forces have already almost completely destroyed the Russian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces. This statement was made in an interview Independence Avenue Media by former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

Esper believes that during the war against Ukraine, the Russian army the most significant losses in two areas.

First, the Russian Armed Forces’ Special Operations Forces have been virtually wiped out. Second, the “conventional” Russian army has suffered very heavy losses.

“When it comes to the quality of its personnel, they (i.e., Russia—ed.) still cannot field forces capable of waging modern maneuver warfare. They cannot fight the way modern armies do,” said the former U.S. Secretary of Defense.

According to Esper, if “clashes” were to suddenly break out with NATO armies, Russian forces would be outmatched. He added that Ukraine is capable of strengthening NATO’s security, as its army is currently “the most combat-ready and experienced in Europe”.

Esper noted that during Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Russian navy—at least the Black Sea Fleet—suffered very heavy losses.

The Russian Federation’s air defense forces have remained intact, but they are unable to repel attacks by Ukrainian missiles and drones. In addition, Russia’s strategic forces remain on standby overall.