'After a year of war, Kupol, a [Ukrainian] lieutenant colonel, said his battalion is unrecognizable. Of about 500 soldiers, roughly 100 were killed in action and another 400 wounded, leading to complete turnover. Kupol said he was the sole military professional in the battalion, and he described the struggle of leading a unit composed entirely of inexperienced troops.'

A one hundred percent casualty rate is not very effective in war. It is very effective at depopulation and psychological scarring though. I remember last year, someone saying that one of America's secondary aims (if the primary aim of chopping up Russia didn't work) was to ensure that the relationship between Russia and Ukraine was ruined forever so that Moscow could never re-unite with Kiev. The countries of West Asia have experience of this tactic of the Westerners….but they are starting to wise up if recent changes over there are anything to go by.