A pro-Kremlin website posted on Monday that Russia has lost almost 10,000 soldiers in Ukraine, and then quickly deleted the data, Daily Mail reported. 

The figures came out on the Komsomolskaya Pravda website, as part of an update from the Russian defence ministry, Daily Mail reported, adding that though the toll had quickly been removed from public view, it remained on the site archive. 

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Thus far, Russia has largely remained mum about the number of soldiers killed since President Vladimir Putin sent in troops. Earlier Moscow’s defence ministry reported losing 498 soldiers in Ukraine. On Monday, however, figures indicated Moscow lost Moscow has lost 9,861 soldiers with 16,153 injured, putting the count at much higher. 

While Ukraine has claimed Russia lost 15,000 of its troops, Western intelligence estimates put them at 7,000, Metro reported. There have also been reports of decorated Russian soldiers losing their lives in this war. 

Russian ground movement in Ukraine has not progressed at a fast pace, which is why the nation has now focused on shelling cities. Mariupol is one such place that is being besieged. 

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Previously too, Putin had reportedly stated he’d not sent conscripts to the war. Information from the defence ministry seemed to contradict the President’s version of events. 

Apart from military losses, Russia is facing a financial crisis too, with their economy and currency taking a big hit due to sanctions, company pull-outs, and trade hostilities. 

Moscow has also had to deal with anti-war protestors, including a journalist who barged onto live television to oppose the invasion of Ukraine. This incident occurred even after Russia passed a law promising jail to anyone spreading, what Kremlin deems to be fake news, about its military. 

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Although the numbers indicate that Russia has suffered heavy military losses, the nation also stands accused of war crimes for targeting civilians.