A Western official shared the information with reporters on Thursday, June 1, on condition of anonymity, Sky News reports.
"We judge that capturing Bakhmut has likely cost Russia at least 60,000 casualties in that Bakhmut-Popasna sector over the course of the year-long battle," the official said.
He clarified that 60,000 was a "conservative estimate" of Russian losses in this particular section of the front, which encompasses both wounded and deceased. Additionally, the official mentioned that at least one-third of the estimated losses are attributed to fatalities.
The source described the city as "not strategically significant," adding that, according to the West, "Ukrainian elements have withdrawn from the main built-up area of the town."
"We are seeing Wagner [mercenary] forces in the process of withdrawing, at least for now. Replacing these force elements is a significant commitment of Russia's already overstretched regular forces," he said.
The total number of Russian casualties in the war with Ukraine, according to the Western official, exceeds 200,000.
On May 20, the leader of Russian Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, released a video with a statement alleging complete occupation of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Hanna Maliar responds that Ukrainian troops are holding the line near the airplane monument, southwest western entrance to the city.
On May 21, US President Joe Biden said Russia has lost more than 100,000 people in the battle for Bakhmut.
On May 24, Prigozhin acknowledged the deaths of 20,000 Wagner mercenaries in the battle for Bakhmut.
On May 27, ISW analysts said that Ukraine had effectively seized the initiative in the battle for Bakhmut.