Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on the number of mercenaries in private military companies operating alongside Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine since February 2022.

We estimate that approximately 350,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded since the start of the conflict. We also estimate that over 2,600 Russian main battle tanks, 4,900 armoured vehicles (armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles), 101 fixed wing aircraft, 1,400 artillery pieces, six surface ships and one submarine has been destroyed since the start of the conflict.

Since February 2022, we estimate over 78,000 personnel have served with the Wagner Private Military Company, including both recruited prisoners and regular Wagner contractors, and over 7,000 personnel have served with the 'Redut' Private Military Company. There are also numerous other smaller Private Military Companies serving alongside the Russian Armed Forces in Ukraine which we are unable to provide estimates for. The deaths of personnel from these organisations are not reflected in Russian official military death tolls, however Wagner Group mercenaries likely suffered approximately 40,000 wounded and 20,000 killed.