Additional Coverage:
- Russian war losses in Ukraine have reached new daily highs for 5 months straight: UK MOD (newsbreak.com)
Russian Troop Losses Surge for Sixth Consecutive Month
Russian troop losses have been on a steady increase for the past six months, according to the UK Defense Ministry. December was particularly costly, with Russia suffering its highest daily loss of 2,200 troops on December 19th.
Average Daily Losses Reach Record Highs
The average daily Russian losses reached a new record high in December, at 1,570. This marks the fifth straight month of increasing losses.
December: Russia’s Costliest Month
Overall, December was the deadliest month of the war for Russia, with an estimated 48,670 troops killed or wounded. The UK Defense Ministry attributes these losses to Russia’s reliance on mass infantry assaults.
Ukraine’s Struggles and Concerns
While Ukraine has been slowly losing territory, its brigades have been facing overwhelming odds and are often underequipped. The war has also strained Ukraine’s resources, and it is struggling to replenish its ranks.
Russia’s Mass Recruitment and Defense Spending
Russia has been recruiting new soldiers in large numbers, offering bonuses. The country has also allocated a significant portion of its federal budget for defense spending in 2025.