Moscow’s nearly two-year war in Ukraine has likely led to a shortage of health-care professionals across Russia, the U.K. Defense Ministry said in its February 11 conflict update. The statement noted that Russia's Health Ministry in November 2023 said the medical sector lacked about 26,500 doctors and 58,200 nursing staff. The U.K. statement said there is a “significant shortage” of doctors in 22 regions and a “severe” shortage assessed in another seven regions. “The heavy resource and financial burden of supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine is negatively affecting a range of civilian services” in Russia, it said.
