The war in Ukraine continues to grind on, with devastating losses on both sides. For Russian forces, the human cost is staggering.
Analysts report that new recruits often survive just one month after signing up.
This grim reality reflects a strategy by the Kremlin to push poorly trained troops into ill-prepared offensives against resilient Ukrainian defenses, according to Hotnews.
According to recent reports, September was the deadliest month yet for Russian forces in Ukraine, with October following closely.
Daily casualty rates for Russian troops have frequently surpassed 1,500 in recent months.
Estimates from U.S. government sources and Ukrainian officials suggest that Russia has suffered between 600,000 and 730,000 casualties — killed or wounded — since the conflict began.
Sustain Heavy Losses
Despite these losses, Russia has continued to advance in parts of eastern Ukraine. In early 2024, Russian forces captured the fortress city of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
Over the following months, they forced Ukrainian troops westward toward Pokrovsk.
In the south, Russian flanking maneuvers around Vuhledar forced an exhausted Ukrainian garrison to retreat, weakening defenses along the entire southern Donetsk front.
In western Russia’s Kursk region, a strong Russian force of up to 60,000 troops, bolstered by North Korean reinforcements, is chipping away at territory held by around 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers.
While Russia maintains momentum, experts question how long it can sustain such heavy losses.
War spending has reached 6% of Russia’s GDP — triple NATO’s recommendation for its member states. Inflation has risen to 8%, and the central bank’s interest rate now stands at 21%.
Factories face worker shortages due to military drafts, and the ruble has lost a third of its value since August.
Ukraine is also under pressure. Recruitment struggles have left gaps on the frontlines, and domestic support for negotiating with Russia has grown.
Kyiv remains heavily dependent on U.S. military aid, which could become uncertain if Donald Trump, who has called for a quick armistice, returns to the presidency.
