Russia’s War Efforts in Ukraine: A High Cost for Little Gain
Russian forces are losing a significant number of soldiers every day. In 2024, they have been sustaining up to 1,500 casualties per day while gaining minimal territory.
This marks the least efficient force-to-territory ratio in modern military operations. Russia’s attempts to project an image of victory come at a high cost. The country has lost approximately 794,760 soldiers since starting its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Ministry of Defense reports that over 430,790 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded in 2024 alone. To maintain the appearance of winning, Russia began deploying North Korean troops to fight in the war with Ukraine in November 2024. This move is largely due to a significant shortage of Russian soldiers.
Russian casualties have increased significantly since the start of the war. In 2022, they were losing around 200 soldiers per day. This number rose to 500 per day in 2023 and now stands at between 1,000 and 1,500 daily casualties in 2024.
The fighting is concentrated in relatively small areas, making Russian losses unprecedented in modern warfare. When measured against the area of captured territory, Russian losses amount to 10.5 casualties per square kilometer. This ratio continues to grow exponentially.
Russia has achieved no significant territorial expansion over the past two years despite massive casualties. The conflict remains largely a static war of attrition. In such conflicts, the eventual victor is typically determined by available resources and operational efficiency.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Russian forces captured approximately 4,168 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in 2024. This came at a substantial human cost of around 427,000 casualties—averaging about 102 casualties per square kilometer gained.
Despite intensified offensives between September and November, Russia failed to achieve strategic objectives such as fully capturing Donetsk Oblast or establishing a buffer zone in northern Kharkiv Oblast.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com