Russia prepared for Ukraine war with university blood drives and by having surgeons practice on large animals — but they may not have been ready for the extent of the casualties

• Before invading Ukraine, Russia set up blood drives and field hospitals, The Economist reported.
• Surgeons in the field were even practicing on large animals that were under anesthetics.
• Ukraine's medical treatment has given them an advantage over Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported.

An estimated 50,000 Russians have died fighting the war in Ukraine, according to a July Associated Press report, and for 17 months Russia averaged about 400 casualties per day — a bloody toll for which the Kremlin apparently tried to prepare.