Russia’s Daily Losses in Ukraine Surpass 2,000 for First Time
On November 29, the Ukrainian government reported that Russia lost 2,030 soldiers over a 24-hour period. This marks the first time Russia’s daily losses have surpassed 2,000 since the start of the war.
According to figures released by Kyiv, Moscow’s troops had previously reached a record high of 1,950 casualties on November 12. The total number of Russian losses now stands at over 738,000.
The Ukrainian government does not release exact numbers for killed or wounded soldiers, but it is believed that the overall figure includes dead, wounded, missing, and captured personnel. This information aligns with estimates provided by Western nations.
Ukraine has been relatively secretive about its military casualties, with President Volodymyr Zelensky only acknowledging 31,000 Ukrainian fighters have been killed in February. However, recent estimates suggest that between 60,000 to 100,000 Ukrainian soldiers may have been killed in the war, with over 400,000 more too injured to fight.
The Economist published these findings on November 26, stating that Russia and Ukraine combined had lost a greater share of their population than the U.S. during both the Korean and Vietnam wars. This represents a significant toll on Ukraine’s military-age men, with almost one in 20 being killed or injured due to the war.
Russia Steps Up Pressure Across Front Lines
As Moscow’s forces intensify pressure across the front lines, NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to recapture territory lost to Ukraine in Kursk Oblast before Donald Trump‘s inauguration on January 20. A British defense intelligence assessment warns of an expected escalation in kamikaze drone attacks on Ukrainian positions.
Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on November 9 that Russian forces are pushing to oust Ukrainian troops from a Russian enclave, raising concerns of a significant escalation in the war.
Russia Faces Economic Pressures
The Kremlin is also facing economic pressures due to its ongoing military campaign. The purchasing power of the Russian ruble hit the lowest point since March 2022 this week, fueled by inflation and increased spending on the war. Russia’s Central Bank has responded by hiking interest rates to their highest level since the early 2000s.
“We are currently facing an impossible economic conundrum due to rapid military expenditures and Western sanctions,” Swedish economist Anders Aslund told the Kyiv Independent. However, economists remain divided over how much impact Russia’s economic problems will have on its war effort.
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