Alcohol and incompetence contributing to Russian troop deaths in Ukraine, says UK intel.

Russian troops are dying in Ukraine due to non-combat issues such as alcohol consumption, poor weapons handling drills, and hypothermia, according to an intelligence update by the UK defense ministry. Heavy drinking is tacitly accepted in the military, even in combat operations. The ministry estimated that Russia has suffered up to 200,000 casualties since its invasion of Ukraine over a year ago, with a "significant minority" not due to fighting. Russia is currently in the midst of a winter offensive, which aims to extend Russian control over the whole Donbas region in Ukraine.